Spoken Word Intensive
Why Take Spoken Word
Get ready to write, recite, plan, slam, transform, perform, and embody your original work. In this one-week program, you'll learn how to own the mic to explore your truth, develop confidence in your writing, and make an impactful performance. Come with an open mind, a willing spirit, the ability to laugh, and a pair of good drum sticks (not joking… bring drumsticks).
What You'll Learn
This program is open to both slam teams preparing for competition or solo performers who want to immerse themselves in this dynamic art form. During the intensive, you'll have the opportunity to create original poems and spoken word pieces that emphasize the written content as much as the sonic sensibilities that shape it.
As a Spoken Word student, you will:
- Get friendly with the time-honored poetic devices of the ancients, as well as the rip-off-the-roof rhetoric of rap.
- Explore different styles, from slam poetry and hip-hop, to prose monologues, storytelling, freestyle, and more.
- Learn effective communication through voice and body. Get ready to get loud!
Program Highlights
A Holistic Approach
Students in the program work intensively on the writing craft and the performance aspect of this unique art form. Since spoken word incorporates both elements, you'll have ample time to sharpen these two skills while your coursework will emphasize the relationship between the two.
The Writing House
During the week, you will split your time between The Writing House and an annex building. The Writing House provides quiet work areas, ample seating for group projects, and a literary publications room. As for the annex building, this is where you'll get to make some noise! Take a 360-degree virtual tour.
Performance Opportunities
Students will participate in a showcase in The Writing House Great Room on the last day of the program.
Additional Opportunities
Interlochen offers other opportunities to help you on your artistic journey.
If you're interested in exploring writing further, we have additional camp program opportunities for young writers, including our one-week Novel Writing and Screenwriting intensives.
Those interested in deepening their understanding of performance arts may want to apply to our High School Acting program and Acting Company Production Summer Program for High School Students.
Interlochen is also home to the Arts Academy boarding high school, which offers three theatre programs for grades 9-12, a creative writing major, and a postgraduate year.
Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Camp with a free digital viewbook
In our free informational booklet, you'll learn more about:
- Each of our seven arts areas
- Various programs
- Renowned faculty
- A day in the life of a student
- How to apply and financial aid information
- And more