For all slamTractor slams from June through November the two top scoring poets in each slam (who haven't yet qualified) qualify to compete in a semi-final slam on the first Friday in December. Then on the first Friday in April we will have another semi-final that is open to the three top scoring poets from each slamTractor slam from January through March. There are fewer slams in this time period, so third place winners also qualify. The three top scoring poets in each of these semi-finals, plus a people's choice poet (voted on by the whole audience) from each semi-final, qualify for the grand slam on the first Friday in May. In the event of a tie for third place in a semi-final, all the tied poets qualify for the grand slam.
The three top scoring poets in the grand slam, plus a people's choice poet
(voted on by the whole audience), will be the team for the National Poetry Slam. In the event of a tie for third place, there will be a slam off (one more poem) between the tied poets after the grand slam that night in May. Alternates will be determined in order based on their grand slam scores (by the judges rather than the people's choice votes).
Team pieces: 2 poets may compete as a unit. But they must have two team poems for each round. Their score for that round will be the average of their scores for both their team pieces in that round. 2 person teams must place first or second in the grand slam to be on the team.
To travel as a member of the team a poet must be at least 18 years old or be
accompanied by a parent or guardian
The National Poetry Slam takes place in early August. If team Ithaca is able to go to the Nationals, some of the fee (which was more than $400 last year) may be paid with money we collect at the door at the semi-finals and the grand slam. The team members who are going to the Nationals must come up with the remainder of the fee, and required membership in Poetry Slam, Inc. ($20 this year). If any team members don't pay their share by May 15, the next alternates will take their place on the team. Poets who are on the team should be able to commit to rehearsals and working with the team on the development of at least one group poem, as well as possible trips to New York City and New England for regional bouts in June or July, and, of course, the trip to the Nationals, and their share of expenses and fees for these trips. Some of these expenses and fees may be raised by fundraising events. There may also be some grant opportunities available. Also team members should be able to participate in local bouts with visiting teams. We'll try to plan these events and practices as best we can around team members' work and summer schedules. If a team member can't make it to an event for good reasons, the next alternate can take their place.
If a team member can't commit to this or can't honor their commitment, the
next alternate will take their place on the team for the Nationals. If there is
a tie for an alternate place, there will be a two poem slam-off between the two
poets at the next regular slam.
The winner of the slam in October will qualify to be the representative
of Ithaca at the Individual Nationals in December. The next runner-ups will be
the alternates. As with the team Nationals, the poet who goes will be responsible for fees and expenses. Some of the fee money may be raised at the door of the October event. If the winner doesn't put up the remainder of the fee money by October 15, the opportunity will go to the next runner up.