Angela Barnett, Ben McCarthy and Helaina Keeley present at NDF25.

Abstract:

Connecting Worlds with Words was the first collaborative project among Auckland Live, Fed Square in Melbourne, and Bunjil Place in the City of Casey, Australia. Each venue, equipped with a large LED screen in a central public space, harnessed technology and creativity to deliver a hybrid spoken word event, aiming to bridge isolation and foster connection amid COVID-19 lockdowns. Over a year, the venues collaborated with local spoken word collectives, inviting audiences to engage with a timely theme of connection. The event’s technical development leveraged Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) and NDI protocols to enable seamless live-streaming, with Fed Square as the central hub, supporting an international online audience. Despite logistical challenges, including lockdowns, the project successfully connected 12 poets, 3 spoken word collectives, 3 cities, 27 operational staff and 993 total audience members. Coordinated marketing, innovative video promotions, and a unified brand identity further amplified outreach. Though it concluded after the pilot year, Connecting Worlds with Words showcased the transformative power of digital collaboration, offering a model for sustainable, cross-border engagement that emphasises connection and community in an uncertain world.