Hosted by the Kayenta Arts Foundation, July 30 will mark the sixth iteration of Poetry Under the Stars, Southern Utah’s premier poetry and spoken word performance event. For the first time in the history of the event, and to support emerging poets and writers, Poetry Under the Stars is holding an open submission period, which has been extended through May 17. Poets and writers who wish to submit work should email their submission to darren.edwards@dixie.edu.
All submissions should adhere to the following guidelines:
—All work must be the author’s original work.
—Southern Utah poets and writers should submit 4–6 pages of written work.
—Applicants should not start a new page for each poem. It doesn’t matter if 10 poems or two poems fit on those pages.
—All works should be sent as part of one Word document.
—The name of the file should be the poet’s first and last name.
—The subject line of the submission email should be “PUS 6 Submission.”
There is no submission fee.
While welcomed, performance experience is not necessary, although all poets accepted to be part of Poetry Under the Stars VI must attend several mandatory rehearsals in preparation of performing their work.
A maximum of 12 poets and/or writers will be invited to a live audition from which the participants for this year’s Poetry Under the Stars will be chosen.
Poetry Under the Stars was started by Ryan Rutkoskie and Garry Morris and continued to run under the direction of Morris until last year, when Poetry Under the Stars V was directed by Darren M. Edwards, who will be returning as director this year.
Since its inception, Poetry Under the Stars has brought a wide array of talented poets and spoken word artists to the Kayenta Arts Village. In recent years, it had become a showcase for Southern Utah’s National Poetry Slam team before it left to represent the area at the national level. This year, the focus, while still centering on providing a night of exceptional art and emotion for the audience, is expanding from solely presenting accomplished poets and/or writers to include looking for new voices.
Questions regarding Poetry Under the Stars VI or questions on the submission process should be sent to darren.edwards@dixie.edu.
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