"I said the Say It Loud ladies are in the house
Who's ever heard us knows what we're talkin' about
We Say It Loud only cause we know we can
She Knows who she is
and I Know who I am"
~ Excerpt from Say It Loud Ensemble, Spring 2007
"It's the passion of the words that we use
that we use,
It's the power of the words that we feel
that we feel.
So let me hear you say, Say It Loud!
Say It Loud!
Girl, let me hear you say, Here's to you!
Here's to you!"
~Excerpt from Say It Loud, Fall 2007
"Do you be yourself in a world of wannabees?
We all have one heart, two eyes, we all bleed.
People only think about the color of your skin,
Not even worried about the soul you keep within."
~Travis, Hip-hop Intensive at Casco Bay High School, Winter '08
Say It Loud! uses the power of hip-hop and spoken word to provide a safe and supportive environment for teenagers, ages 14-18, to SPEAK UP, EXPRESS THEIR IDEAS & OPINIONS AND SAY IT LIKE IT IS.
Through the guidance of local hip-hop/song writing/spoken word artists, participants learn new skills and create pieces both individualy and as an ensemble to be performed in the Portland area.
Say it Loud! is produced by Add Verb Productions Arts & Education - a Portland based theatre for social change organization, which awakens community-based action and understanding of social issues through theatre, creative expression and dialogue.
Most Recently, Say It Loud! has partnered up with Casco Bay High School in Portland, and this fall will become a hip-hop club during Casco Bay's "Block 7"period. Using the same guest artists that were used in the past, Say It Loud! will continue to help each young person find new ways to express his/her thoughts and opinions in a way that reaches those who may not other wise hear his/her voice.
Portland High School students perform at the Boys to Men conference this spring.
