Is Spoken Word considered part of the performing arts?
Yes. Spoken word is a style of performance poetry that originated in New York City. It hit popularity in the early nineties. Spoken word comes from the oral tradition of free-style hip hop artists and poets who would perform at local open mics.
Unlike other styles of poetry, spoken word is written with the intention of being performed in front of an audience; thus, it emphasizes the tone of the human voice which adds another layer of meaning and interpretation. Usually these poems may vary in style, but most have a narrative and include a social commentary aspect. They’re each about 2-3 mins long.
