The N.H. State Council on the Arts has announced this year’s schedule for the state’s four Poetry Out Loud semi-final competitions.
High school champions from 40 schools and school groups will convene to compete for the opportunity to advance to the state championship, scheduled to take place at Representatives Hall in the State House in Concord on March 13.
More than 9,000 students participated in the New Hampshire’s 2020 Poetry Out Loud program this year, which starts at the classroom level and advances to school-wide competitions prior to the regional semi-finals and state finals. The state champion will then advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C. in April.
Now in its 15th year, Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that utilizes the study of great poetry to help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about both literary history and contemporary life. Students involved in the program say that it is an experience that has long-lasting, positive impact on their lives.
The dates, times and locations for the 2020 New Hampshire Poetry Out Loud semi-finals are:
■Rochester Opera House; Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m.
■Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Meredith; Monday, March 2, 6 p.m.
■New England College, Henniker; Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m.
■Currier Museum of Art, Manchester; Thursday, March 5, 6 p.m.
Snow dates for each semi-final are posted at nh.gov/nharts.
Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. In New Hampshire it is led by the N.H. State Council on the Arts.
To learn more about 2020 New Hampshire Poetry Out Loud, visit nh.gov/nharts.