What is CUPSI?
CUPSI:
The College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational is a nationwide event where colleges from all over the country send teams of four or five to compete against each other. Each year Cal Slam sponsors a team of 5 students to represent Berkeley at this national competition. Students who make the team are put through rigorous practice sessions in preparation for the event. This year CUPSI will be held April 12–15, 2017 at the University of Illinois - Chicago.
History:
Berkeley has had a long history at CUPSI, making finals stage multiple times and even winning the tournament in 2004. Last year, Berkeley placed 2nd at semifinals, placing among the top 8 teams in the world. Several of our CalSlam alum have been featured on Button Poetry!
How to Make the Team:
1) Place in Top 4 at one of the Qualifying Slams:
• We will have 3 Qualifying Slams. (October 12, 27 and November 18)
• There will be two rounds in each slam. In the First round, all 16 poets will perform, the top 8 make it to the second round.
• The top 4 based on overall score of the night will advance to the Grand Slam Finals. (scores are cumulative)
• Once you make the top 4, you don't need to compete again. However, if you have not made the top 4, you may go on to compete in another slam.
• You may use the same poems in between Qualifying Slams but not repeat it during Grand Slam.
2) Place in the Top 5 at Grand Slam Finals:
• You may not use poems that you made the top 4 with in the Qualifying Slams
• There will be two rounds. In the first round, all 12 poets will perform and then the top 8 will make it to the next round.
• The top 5 overall scoring poets at the end of the night will make the 2017 CUPSI team.
Standard rules and procedure:
• Poem length: 3 minutes 10 second grace period
o 0.5 subtract for every ten seconds overtime. (example: 3:11 subtract 0.5; 3:20 subtract 1.0, etc)
• In case of a tie breaker, the competitors in the tie will perform an additional standard poem (3 minute length, 10 second grace period).
• You may not use any poems performed at a regional or national level. (ex: BNV, CUPSI 2016)
• No props
• No instruments or music playing
• Solo pieces only
• Original work only
• No CGI effects
• No mic checks will be available for competitors
• Time starts as soon as you interact with the audience or performance begins
• Breathing loudly into the mic may count as a performance and time will begin.
Tips:
• Remember that putting a score on poetry is never an accurate representation of who you are.
• Practice your poems, remember why you wrote them.
• Time yourself when you practice your poems to avoid a penalty.
• Most of all, speak your truth in your own voice. No one will say your poem exactly like you do and that's beautiful!
