SERIES: Life Distilled: Four Decades of U.S. Poet Laureates

Summary:

NOTE: ALL EPISODES CAN STAND ALONE; NO OBLIGATION TO RUN THE ENTIRE SERIES. This five-episode series of one-hour programs features 17 of the men and women who have served as United States Poet Laureates over the past four decades, from the late Howard Nemerov (1963-64) to Donald Hall (beginning 2006). These conversations and readings of poetry vary from humorous to heavy, but are always thought-provoking, and are perfect for National Poetry Month in April, though they can be used anytime.

Website:

http://www.newletters.org/ontheair_special.asp

Additional Credits and Funding:

Angela Elam, Eric Mater, Dennis Conrow, Alexander Smith.

Timely on:

September: Donald Hall assumes the post of Poet Laureate

Tones:

Informational, Inspiring, Intriguing

Language:

English

Description:

ABOUT THE SERIES
Available for public radio stations to survey beginning the first week of March 2006, this five-episode series of one-hour programs makes an excellent programming choice for the five weekends in April, National Poetry Month, although it can air at any time. Reformatted and edited to conform to the public radio news clock, this series uses some archival gems from the extensive New Letters on the Air catalogue. Funding to support this series is made possible through the PRX Reversioning Grant. Learn more at http://www.newletters.org/ontheair_special.asp.
  
ABOUT THE EPISODES
All episodes feature an interview and poetry readings by a former U.S. poet laureate or Library of Congress Consultant in Poetry (which later became the laureateship).
Episode 1: Mark Strand, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Ted Kooser
Episode 2: Joseph Brodsky, Mona Van Duyn, Robert Pinsky
Episode 3: Richard Wilbur, Robert Hass, Rita Dove, Stanley Kunitz
Episode 4: Howard Nemerov, William Stafford, Billy Collins
Episode 5: Anthony Hecht, Reed Whittemore, Maxine Kumin, Donald Hall
 
  
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact the series producers by calling toll-free 888-548-2477, fax 816-235-2611, or email radio@newletters.org

New to PRX?

Learn More | Sign Up