Yale’s Spoken Word Groups Ignite Creativity and Community

Yale University’s spoken word performance groups, ¡Oye! and WORD at Yale, are fostering community and encouraging self-expression among students through the art of poetry. These groups create unique spaces where participants can engage with deep emotions and share personal narratives. Recently, WORD held its fall semester showcase, “Word on the Street,” on November 7, 2023, presenting a diverse range of freeform poetry that interconnected various themes, particularly focusing on the human body.

On November 16, 2023, ¡Oye! will present its showcase titled “Bittersweet,” exploring themes of nostalgia and longing. Co-president of WORD, Faven Wondwosen, emphasized the significance of slam poetry in creating an environment that fosters empathy. “For just a few minutes when you’re up on stage, you’re creating a space where everyone feels similarly,” she stated, highlighting the communal aspect of the performances.

Wondwosen articulated how spoken word poetry transforms traditional written poetry, which can sometimes feel isolating, into a collective experience. The connection between the performer and the audience is vital, allowing for a shared emotional journey. Poets from ¡Oye! have been preparing for their upcoming performance by focusing on the theme of “Bittersweet” during weekly meetings. These sessions often begin with members sharing personal experiences from their weeks, creating a supportive atmosphere conducive to creativity. Following this, the group dedicates time to writing based on prompts designed by artistic director Emily Singh.

Singh noted the diversity of interpretations that arise from a single prompt, saying, “If I throw one word out there, I can have 20 different replies.” This variety enriches the collaborative spirit of the group, fostering a deeper understanding of the emotions expressed in each poem.

Co-president of ¡Oye!, Sara Ramos, highlighted the unique experience of performing to a bilingual audience, noting the resonance of poems delivered in both English and Spanish. Audience engagement is a key element of their shows, with attendees encouraged to express their support through snaps and vocal affirmations. The name ¡Oye! reflects the group’s roots in Spanish-language poetry, meaning both “hey” and “listen,” and it is affiliated with La Casa Cultural. Although it celebrates its Latin American heritage, the group is open to all poets, regardless of their background, as explained by publicity chair Olutola Britto.

Britto shared his personal journey with poetry, which began during his time in the U.S. military. He described how a lack of access to communication led him to write letters that he never sent, transforming prose into poetry. “When I was in Iraq, I used to host poetry nights with a group of soldiers to just express themselves,” he recalled. Finding ¡Oye! reignited his passion for sharing and discussing poetry, a medium he feels passionately connected to.

The structure of WORD’s meetings mirrors that of ¡Oye!, with members sharing personal highs and lows before diving into writing and poem-sharing sessions. Wondwosen expressed admiration for the talent within the group, stating, “It’s nice to be reminded of all of the art and the talent that can exist so quickly.” The process often results in beautiful pieces crafted in a short span of time, illustrating the power of spontaneous creativity.

Spoken word poetry emphasizes rhythm and tempo in ways that traditional written poetry may not. Singh pointed out the importance of delivery, saying, “When you listen to spoken word poems, they have this insane control of the rhythm and rhyme scheme that flows so naturally.” This dynamic quality allows poets to incorporate their own slang and expressions, making the performances uniquely personal.

In addition to their showcases, WORD collaborates with various campus organizations for smaller events. Notably, they have partnered with the Undergraduate Jazz Collective for two years, where poets and musicians create original works inspired by each other’s art. Wondwosen remarked on this collaboration, stating, “It’s such a return to what slam poetry originated as,” referencing the genre’s historical ties to jazz clubs.

The upcoming performance “Bittersweet” will take place in the Ezra Stiles College common room at 19:00. Through these performances, both ¡Oye! and WORD at Yale continue to cultivate a vibrant community, fostering self-expression and creativity among students.