A woman in a red top and checkered pants is speaking into a microphone while holding a phone, with three women seated at a table and listening. The scene appears to be in a decorated rustic space with brick walls, bamboo, plants, and string lights.

Spoken Word & Poetry

Eight weeks of writing and performance for young people who have something to say. Ends with a featured slot at TROU Poetry Night.

What it is

The TROU Spoken Word & Poetry Program is for young writers and performers who want to develop their craft, find their voice, and perform their work live.

Eight weeks, weekly two-hour sessions, two facilitators in the room. Writing, editing, performance, and a real audience at the end.

Built on TROU's existing Poetry Night ecosystem — participants don't graduate into a workshop bubble. They graduate into a real platform with a real audience, alongside Melbourne's working spoken word community.

How it runs

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Weeks 1–2 · Writing

    Getting to the page. Prompts, drafts, voice — finding what only you can say.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and half circle lines.

    Weeks 3–4 · Editing & Craft

    Rhythm, structure, image, line breaks. Punching the language up.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and circle lines.

    Weeks 5–6 · Performance

    Breath, pacing, stage presence, microphone technique.

  • Geometric drawing of an outline square with sections divided by vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

    Weeks 7–8 · Showcase preparation

    Set ordering, MC training, rehearsal, peer feedback.

Who delivers it.

What participants leave with.

A group of people gathered indoors for a presentation or event, with a woman speaking at the front and the audience attentively listening.
A young man wearing a San Francisco Giants cap and black jacket is standing in front of a bamboo and brick wall, reading or looking at his phone, while speaking into a microphone, with a white plastic chair and plants nearby.

Two TROU facilitators — working poets and spoken word artists with active practice — supported by our wider Poetry Night community.

A polished set of 2–4 original pieces

Live performance experience in a supportive, established setting

Skills in editing, voice, breath, and stage presence

Connection to Melbourne's spoken word community via TROU's network

LET’S GET STARTED

Build a spoken word program with us

Download the full program document, or get in touch to talk through what a partnership could look like.

Download program PDF
Download program PDF
Get in touch
Get in touch