The Word is a transformative literary arts program powered by an intergenerational cooperative of diverse, justice-minded spoken word artists. The Word builds community by growing radically inclusive writing and performance programs grounded in poetry, rap, and song. Through its many partnerships, The Word brings a creative life force into social action groups, movements, and institutions – expanding our collective capacity to re-imagine ourselves and our world.
Community Events
INK THEORY: UPCOMING COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES
Connecticut’s youth slam team, Ink Theory, brings the power of youth poetry and spoken word into community spaces across the state. Through performances at conferences, festivals, advocacy events, and other community gatherings, these young poets share original work, amplify youth voices, and engage audiences with the issues and experiences that matter to them.
This October, Ink Theory will perform at No Kids in Prison with Possible Futures, the CYSA Annual Conference in Hartford, and Kulturally LIT Fest at Southern Connecticut State University.
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Previous Offerings
We are constantly offering new opportunities to get involved with The Word. Over the past several years, we have hosted Weekly Writing Liberation Workshops at Neighborhood Music School, and during the 2023–2024 school year, we partnered with the Stetson Branch Library to offer a fall weekly workshop series and a fourteen-week mentorship program in the spring.
During the 2025–2026 program year, The Word continued expanding opportunities for young writers, performers, and emerging teaching artists across Connecticut. Programming included Connecticut Poetry Out Loud and its Youth Summit, youth slam workshops and the Connecticut Youth Poetry Slam, a paid Teaching Artist Mentorship, and community events including Bring Your Voice and A Celebration of August Wilson. The year culminated in a historic achievement when Connecticut's youth slam team, Ink Theory, became the 2026 Brave New Voices Champions—the first Connecticut team to win the championship.
Stay tuned for what's next!
Past Community Events
A Celebration of August Wilson
In collaboration with Long Wharf Theatre and the New Haven Free Public Library, The Word presented A Celebration of August Wilson at the Stetson Branch Library on November 1, 2025. The event featured a screening of Fences, followed by a creative writing workshop hosted by Connecticut Youth Poet Laureate Anna Capelle and co-led by Tarishi “Midnight” Shuler.
The celebration concluded with an open mic featuring guest performances by Journey Rosa, Tazz, and AC!D. Through writing, conversation, and performance, participants explored themes from Fences, including what it means to feel “fenced in,” while sharing their own voices, stories, and creativity.
This event was made possible with generous support from NewAlliance Foundation.