Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) invites poets of all ages from across the Puget Sound region to step forward and share their voices! WE SPEAK, our annual celebration of spoken word poetry and storytelling, returns in 2026 and we’re looking for powerful, imaginative performers to light up the ECA stage.
This year, we’re opening the doors even wider. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or trying spoken word for the first time, we invite you to submit video samples of an original performance that speaks to what matters most to you. Your passions, your experiences, your questions, your truth. No set theme. No limits. Just your story, in your words.
Finalists will be selected to perform their original work LIVE on the ECA stage during WE SPEAK on Friday, May 1, 2026, and will receive special recognition for their artistic contributions through scholarship awards.
Let your voice be heard. Let your story be seen. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS MARCH 9, 2026
ABOUT WE SPEAK
ECA’s annual WE SPEAK is a celebration of spoken word poetry and storytelling. The evening integrates critically acclaimed artists alongside talented local youth, providing a platform for artists to respond to issues that impact themselves, their communities, and the world. This year’s emcee is Olisa Enrico. Our headliners are Aishe Keita and Monique Franklin.
Past WE SPEAK artists include celebrated poets Anastacia-Reneé, Amber Flame, Sharon Nyree Williams, Shane Koyczan, Steve Connell, Ivan Coyote, Kealoha, and Chelsey Richardson.
HOW TO ENTER
Participants must be at least 13 years old and live in the Puget Sound region. Finalists will be selected from three age groups: Middle School, High School, and Adult (18+ from students to seniors; all are welcome).
Create a video recording of 1-2 ORIGINAL spoken-word pieces. The entire video should be 10 minutes or under.
Get creative! You may use costumes, props, music, and visual aids to share your spoken word performance. Please keep in mind, if you are a finalist, the performance elements in your video clip need to match the final performance.
We encourage applicants to submit their work in the language that feels most authentic to them, including American Sign Language (ASL). If doing so, please provide a written English translation/description to the best of your ability.
Share the link to your video recording in the application or upload it here.
The Submission Deadline is March 9, 2026.
WE SPEAK POETRY RESOURCE GUIDE
New this year! Check out our WE SPEAK Poetry Resource Guide for more information and inspiration as you craft or refine your piece for WE SPEAK.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
We are looking for your best spoken word performance in the language that you are most comfortable with! Spoken word is a term that applies to any type of poetry intended to be performed aloud. Spoken word has roots in traditions of oral performance that go back to times before the written word. It is an oral art that focuses on the quality of sound structure and patterns that make it compelling to the listener, often using rhyme, repetition, different voice inflections, and word play. It can contain elements of poetry, rap, hip-hop, storytelling, theater, dance, and music.
Video spoken word submissions will be evaluated on:
The poems’ relevance to the 2026 prompt.
Creativity and originality.
Rhythm and pacing.
Vocal inflection.
Coherence of form and structure.
Clarity of imagery and language.
FINALISTS
The 2026 Youth Poetry Slam Competition finalists will be chosen based on their video submission and receive scholarship awards.
All finalists will perform their work LIVE on the ECA Stage, during WE SPEAK, on Friday, May 1 at 7:30PM.
Finalists will participate in a workshop at ECA in the weeks before the performance with a local poet mentor.
2025 Competition Finalists Jasper Rhodes, Mbumba Banda, Aly Fellores, Scarlett Scott, and Tiger Yang
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Diana@ec4arts.org if you have any questions about the competition or submission process.
Spoken word performances must be of original composition by the author reading or performing the work in the video. Plagiarism is grounds for immediate dismissal from the competition. If you are under the age of 18, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate. Please message us if you have any technical issues with your upload and we will do our best to find a workaround.
Thank you to The Hazel Miller Foundation for their generous support of the Youth Poetry Slam Competition, and to ECA’s 2026 WE SPEAK event sponsors: David Brewster & Mary Kay Sneeringer.
ECA BOX OFFICE:
425-275-9595 | boxoffice@ec4arts.org
Single Tickets can be purchased online
or by calling the Box Office at 425-275-9595.
Youth/Student/TeenTix pricing and a 10% Discount for Seniors 62+ & Military is available for all ECA presented shows.