In this engaging class, participants will immerse themselves into the world of poetic expression, exploring conventional forms, styles, and techniques. We will begin by examining classic and contemporary poems, discussing themes, imagery, and emotional resonance. Through guided writing exercises, students will experiment with different poetic structures, such as sonnets, free verse and lyric poetry, encouraging their unique voices to emerge. By the end of the course, the question of how to turn a poem into a performing art will be addressed and you will be given the tools to craft your own compelling literary works.