The stage is set for an afternoon of powerful verses and rising talent. The Lassen County Arts Council, in partnership with the Susanville Performing Arts Center, is inviting the community to support local high school students at the 2026 Lassen County Poetry Out Loud Final Competition.
The event will take place on Saturday, January 24th, at 1:00 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at the Sierra Theatre.
Admission to the event is free. The afternoon will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies Phil Finkel, as competitors vie for a chance to secure a spot at the California State Poetry Out Loud competition later this year.
More Than Just Recitation
According to Arts Council spokesperson Jolene Arredondo, the competition is about bringing literature to life.
“Poetry Out Loud lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.5 million high school students have participated in this dynamic poetry recitation competition. Poetry Out Loud can help students improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and grow their appreciation for poetry.”
Local Student Preparation
The road to the finals has been a collaborative educational effort. In Lassen County this year, five classrooms from three separate schools participated in the program.
Students prepared for the competition through workshops that focused on expression through the body and voice, as well as investigating the meaning behind published works of poetry. These workshops were led by Abby Datema, a teaching artist and Theater Education Specialist.
Datema is a passionate advocate for arts education for all people. She has worked in communities and classrooms across the U.S. and abroad to create and implement programs, provide workshops, and curate performance opportunities for marginalized and underserved communities, as well as for-profit and professional training institutions.
Come out to the Sierra Theatre to support our local youth as they take the mic and compete for a chance to represent Lassen County at the state level!
