“I never knew I could succeed at anything, until I did this program!” 2012-2013 Slam Poet

“I learned my true character in poetry; I learned what I’m truly good at.” 2012-2013 Slam Poet

Dear Leader in Education,

We are excited to introduce a brand new program, Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre. Applied Theatre at the Alley works diligently to offer programs that help students develop the skills that will enhance their inherent abilities — abilities they will need to succeed in the 21st century. Performing in Slam Poets @ Alley Theatre creates poised, proud, quick and creative adults who can think on their feet and nimbly walk toward their dreams. As one of our Partner School teachers has told us, “My students were able to get our of their comfort zones during these sessions. Overall, I think each student took away with them a special set of skills.”

This program has already succeeded in schools all across the Houston area, and we want to touch many more lives as we grow. Give your teens the experience of being seen and heard publicly within a community arena that is accepting. Give them the chance to write from the wealth of knowledge they already possess. As one student exclaimed, “This program lets us be ourselves.” You’ll be surprised at what they have to tell us, share amongst themselves and find absolutely necessary to proclaim in this unique, public and creative forum.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak to you about the benefits of bringing this program to your classroom and school. I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the program and its ability to engage all types of students.

Sincerely, Mary SuttonDirector of Education and Community EngagementAlley Theatre

The Facts “Low income kids who participated in arts education were four times more likely to have high academic achievement and three times more likely to have high attendance than those who didn’t.”

“On average, arts-engaged, low-income students tend to perform more like higher-income students.”

In Maryland, arts integration-focused schools, “reduced the reading gap by 14 percentage points and the math gap by 26 percentage points over a three-year period.”

“Children who practiced a specific art form developed improved atten-tion skills and improved general intelligence. Training their attention and focus also leads to improvement in other cognitive domains.”

Re-Investing in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

The DetailsSlam Poets @ Alley Theatre is a flexible scheduled in-school residency where teaching artists teach students to master the art of slam poetry. Slam Poets may be presented as a weekly residency or an after-school experience. Slam Poets is available for students in grades 6-12.

Bring Slam Poets to Your School •SlamPoetsisa5to16dayArtist-in-ResidenceProgram.

•Dayscanbebookedconsecutivelyorspreadoutovermultipleweeks.

•Eachdaywecanserveoneclassroomorawholegradelevel.

•InourAfter-SchoolResidencyparticipationmustberequired.

Please call if you have special calendar needs and we will help you“BuildYourOwnResidency.”

All schools will be invited to participate in the official Slam called TEENPALOOZA in the Alley Theatre’s Neuhaus Stage in the fall and spring. Dates to be announced.

Ratesnegotiable.Pricesincludeteachingartistfees, preparation, supplies and materials.

“This is my voice, so hear it!” 2012-2013 Slam Poet

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours, on three days each week for at least one full year are:

•4timesmorelikelytoberecognizedforacademicachievement

•3timesmorelikelytobeelectedtoclassofficewithintheirschools

•3timesmorelikelytowinanawardforschoolattendance

•4timesmorelikelytoparticipateinamathandsciencefair

•4timesmorelikelytowinanawardforwritinganessayorpoem

Study conducted by Stanford University and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

For more information:alleytheatre.org/SlamPoetsslampoets@alleytheatre.org 713.315.5424