Emotions are high as one creative writing class prepares for a poetry performance to showcase the beauty of vocalizing the written word.

In her poetry class, Dr. Chella Courington sees an “energy in the writers who want to see their poetry go beyond the classroom.”

These writers will see their poetry go at least across the East Campus from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 16 in the BC Forum. Class members will perform spoken word pieces in this free event.

“It’s something we’re trying to give to the college,” Courington said. She went on to explain the experience of spoken word poetry.

“The key thing is that it is written to be heard, not written to be read. There is more of a consciousness of the audience on the part of the speaker. You want the audience to get the message in the moment rather than have to stop and look things up,” Courington said, adding, “Not that it’s not complex, but it’s more immediately available.”

The writers gather weekly for their night class and spend the first portion free writing to music. Afterward, they break into groups and critique one another’s work in a “bonded and communal” way, Courington said.

Courington emphasizes the sense of community in the classroom that allows these poets to get personal in their work and provides a safety for sharing emotional and intense writing.

Her poets agree.

Laura Little recently graduated with a degree in liberal arts from Antioch University and is taking poetry simply for the personal gain.

“Free writing is really big for me emotionally,” Little said. “It helps me center myself when there is so much stress in the world.”

Amada Campuzano is studying nursing while raising two children. She registered for the course at Courington’s urging thinking, “‘Poetry? Really?’ It was totally out of my comfort zone. I felt like I was in a Japanese class,” Campuzano said. “Slowly I’ve been letting loose.”

Campuzano’s critique group helped her break free from the need to follow a format.

“At first my thing was to make it look like a poem, make sure the figure of the poem didn’t look weird,” Campuzano explained. In her group she learned to just get the thoughts down on paper and cut words later.

“It’s easier to minimize than expand. And sometimes short little journal entries turn out to be spoken word poems,” Campuzano continued.

At the class performance, Campuzano vocalized a piece about an abortion she underwent as a teenager.

“A lot of teenagers have that experience and no voice to talk about it,” Campuzano said. “[To write the] poem was a lot of closure for me that I hadn’t really had before.”

Courington predicted the performance to be lively with some students incorporating instruments, multi-media and even sign language.

“You need good listeners,” Courington said, promising audience members will walk away with “a rejuvenation of the power of the word.”