Poems, Poems, Everywhere

Keith Thorsen, Poet

Since 1989, I have been delivering some of the best received school poetry visits in the country. 

They are popular because they do what all school visits should do - inspire the students. 

They are excited by the performances and they get practical assistance from the workshops. 

I am an experienced writer and performer of my own work. 

I am also an experienced secondary teacher. 

I know students and what will work with them. I get a high level of requests for return visits and receive consistently excellent feedback from schools. 

School Poetry Performances

I perform my own poetry. It is contemporary New Zealand performance poetry - a high-energy entertainment; a fusion of voice, music and sound effects. Most important are the images and the words - words to slice your fingers, snatch from the windbreak or wrap around that ol’ breaking heart - funny, sad, angry and tender words. 

My performances are adaptable from Form 1 to Form 7. They are also adaptable to the length of your school period to minimise timetable disruption. 

I have my own sound system and can perform to an audience of up to 500. 

After performing, I leave time for discussion about the poems, the writing process, where I buy my shirt. The aim is always to encourage students to write their own material. 

School Workshopping

Using my poetry and students' poetry, I show how poems can be developed. Practical advice is the main ingredient mixed with the odd spot of inspiration. 

I have received very good feedback on these workshops. They break students away from preconceived ideas of writing poetry and give them specific attainable steps to take. 

The workshop is adaptable to the length of your school period. The maximum number is 20. 

Programme

I am available for either a morning, an afternoon or a whole day visit. 

In the morning or afternoon, I can offer one performance plus a workshop or two performances eg one at the senior level and one at the junior level. 

For a whole day visit, I can offer two performances plus two workshops or three performances plus one workshop. 

Fee

$2.00 per student attending the performance. 

The workshop is available to students who have attended a performance and is free. 

There is a minimum fee of $300 for a half day visit. 

If you wish me to stay the whole day, the minimum fee is $500. 

Making a Booking

Contact me regarding a visit. 

Keith Thorsen 

Freepost 157	   

PO Box 933, Hastings 

Phone (06) 878 9447 (w) 870 9447 (h)

Fax (06) 878 9835 Mobile 025 81 91 32 

E-mail kthorsen@xtra.co.nz (see mailto:kthorsen@xtra.co.nz)

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One of New Zealand's top school performers. 

Guest performer at:
New Zealand/Australia drama in education conference, 1989
"Different Voices"
International Teachers' Conference 1990
National English Teachers' Conference 1998

Editor and publisher of national students' poetry magazine "Slice Apple"

1994 Arts Council tour with Cilla McQueen 

Books

Totally Out of Control 1989-1992 (3 editions)

Love Junkies, 1994 

Walking Wet Through Live Rooms, 1996 

Included in anthology White Feathers - Hazard Press 1991 

© Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998)