Poetry Out Loud

A program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.
NC Regional and Final Competition were held Saturday, Feb 24, 2024 at ImaginOn.
We will host the State Finals again on Mar 8, 2025.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry, helping students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence while learning about literary history and contemporary life. The program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is proud to be the North Carolina State Coordinator of the Poetry Out Loud competition for the second year. We will be hosting the State Finals at ImaginOn on March 8, 2025.

Schedule of Events - Sat, Mar 8, 2025

  • 1 PM - Check in begins and McColl Family Theatre opens
  • 2 PM - Opening remarks and welcome in the McColl Family Theatre for all participants
  • 2:30-4:30 PM - State Final Competition
  • 4:30-5 PM - Announcement of 2025 North Carolina State Champion and closing remarks*
*Time may vary based on length of the program.

See information on Rules and Eligibility.
Register Now

About the Competition

Poetry Out Loud offers free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students and 81,000 teachers from 20,000 schools across the U.S. have participated in Poetry Out Loud.
Poetry Out Loud begins at the local level with a school or organization. Non-school organizations, such as after school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may also choose to run Poetry Out Loud as well. Students may only compete in one stream - either with their school or an organization. Students advance from local contests to Regionals, then State competitions, and finally a National competition held in Washington DC on May 5-7, 2025.

Prizes at State & National Finals

State Finals
  • $200 for POL State Champion
  • $100 for POL State Runner-Up
  • $500 stipend for state champion school/organization; $200 stipend for poetry materials for runner-up
National Finals
  • $20,000 for POL National Champion
  • $10,000 and $5,000 for the second and third place national finalists
  • $1,000 each for the other six national finalists and for three honorable mention recipients
  • $500 stipend for schools/organizations of top nine finalists and three honorable mention recipients to purchase poetry materials

Poetry Out Loud Curriculum

Poetry Out Loud

Questions?

Email us at pol@ctcharlotte.org

Helpful Links

Student Testimonials

"Poetry is such a powerful medium to convey your emotions and thoughts and I`m so excited to be a part of this competition.”
– Richmond Parris, 2024 North Carolina State Champion
"Poetry Out Loud has introduced me to many brilliant young artists and visionaries, and I've had so much to learn in an environment rich with sportsmanship, camaraderie, and genuine passion for poetry.”
– Aeva West Deltoro-Dye, 2023 Utah State Champion
"I have enjoyed seeing all the forms of literature coming to life in Poetry Out Loud. Seeing how everyone can express and convey their emotions through these poems really has brought new ideas to my mind.”
– Maiss Hussein, 2023 Delaware State Champion

Visiting Charlotte?

Photos by John Merrick