The rise of spoken word and performance poetry in mainstream media and consciousness has been the most significant cultural and social happening of the new century. After years as an integral element of urban progressive sub culture, spoken word has matured and taken its rightful place as an independent art form. This winter, film makers Jay Christopher Greene and Paul DeAngelo begin production on “Word & Verse”; a feature length documentary that will follow the journey of a Brooklyn competitive Slam poetry team (NY Poets) as they prepare their team to go to the National Slam Competition. In the coming months, production will include filming of the NY Poets’ monthly competitive slam at Brooklyn’s famous Nalani’s Cafe.

Spoken word is a medium that continues the practice of oral history kept by many indigenous cultures. As it exists today spoken word continues to tackle social and political issues that hip-hop seems to have abandoned but the hip-hop community at large obviously still holds dear. All across North America and Europe, poets and audiences gather in cafes, bars, bookstores and basements to express ideas and experiences in prose and rhyme. “Word+Verse” records this attempt of a young generation to redefine the world they will inherit through the strength of their intention and spirit. So far production has included interviews and performances by influential figures such as Bruce George (Co-Executive Producer of Def-Poetry Jam), and Karen Gibson Roc (Performer/Artist).