Join the Cast

The Poetry Brothel is always seeking new poets, artists, musicians, mystics, dancers, vaudevillians, circus performers, sideshow acts, interns, volunteers, designers of all kinds, and any one who feels they have something to contribute to The Poetry Brothel. If you are interested in joining the family, and you would like to formally submit an application to become one of our venerated "Poetry Whores" or other cast members, please apply via Submittable. Artists from underrepresented communities are in particular encouraged to apply. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions before applying or if our application fee is prohibitive for you.

In your application, you will need to include your professional name; a cover letter; the city where you reside, a link to your website, portfolio or Instagram page; your character name & bio (this need not contain any factual or professional information); at least one headshot or other photo of yourself; and an audition video. If you are applying to be one of the poets, please also include 5 pages of your poetry as a PDF. 

In your cover letter, we encourage you to explain your interest in The Poetry Brothel and your background as an artist and performer. If you have any experience working in the sex industry, please also feel safe to mention it here.

The audition video should be between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Feel free to shoot the video on your phone; we don't need anything professionally produced. We simply want to get a sense of your personality, style, and voice while seeing a little bit of what you do. If you are a poet, perform a poem! If you are a dancer, we'd love to see a routine. If you are a singer, sing for us. If you read tarot, show us a sample reading.

Please apply by August 1st for the Fall season and by December 1st for the Winter/Spring season. However, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

So you've got a few old journals full of poetry from your moody and turbulent youth collecting dust on your bookshelf. You've got that incredible mask you bought four halloweens ago that you've been dying to don again for one more grand hurrah. And of course there's that itch to perform, for real, if only just one time, on a stage, in front of a room packed with strangers. We feel you, it's real. Perhaps it's time to put it all together and Moonlight with The Poetry Brothel. We're inviting our biggest fans and most devoted friends to spend a night working and performing as special guest Poetry Whore. For the low, low price of $250, we'll pair you with a mentor from our cast, who will show you the ropes, help you whip a few of those old sonnets into shape, and give you a night you'll never forget. For more information about Moonlighting with The Poetry Brothel, contact us below. Can't wait to share the stage with you, darlings!

Become a Member

If you're a regular at The Poetry Brothel, we encourage you to become a member of The Poetry Society of New York! Memberships include discounted & free admission to our events, discounts for your guests, and a variety of other perks. Memberships help sustain the organization and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Choose the level that's right for you!

$5/MONTH OR $50/YEAR

Standard Membership includes:

• A monthly members newsletter featuring news, poems, photos, videos, updates, and more

• Free admission +1 to our quarterly PSNY cocktail parties and salons!

• 50% off GA tickets (for yourself & your guests!) to all Poetry Brothel events in the US

• 50% off GA tickets (for yourself & your guests) to PSNY’s Spring Gala, to be held April 10th, 2019 at the Players Club

• Stick with us through July, and you'll get free admission to the Members Tent at The New York City Poetry Festival, which serves free drinks and snacks all day!

• Plus, you'll get the option to join our weekly Milk Press email list, where you'll receive a new poem or piece of visual art to enjoy each week. 

$25/MONTH OR $250/YEAR

Spotlight Membership includes:

• All the benefits of a Standard membership

• On your first month, you will be featured in our members newsletter and (if you'd like!) have a poem of your own included for the community to enjoy

• You will also have the opportunity to perform a poem at one of our members cocktail parties

• One complimentary GA ticket to any Poetry Brothel event each month, plus 50% off GA tickets for your guests

$500/YEAR

Limelight Membership includes:

• All the benefits of a Spotlight Membership

• One complimentary VIP ticket to any Poetry Brothel event each month, plus 50% off GA or VIP tickets for your guests (VIP status includes reserved priority seating, two complimentary private reading tokens, a private reading with The Madame, and a variety of other benefits depending upon the particular event.)

• One complimentary VIP ticket to PSNY’s Spring Gala

• One of our exceptional Typewriter Poets will write a customized, personalized poem especially for you each quarter. You'll receive this typewritten poem in the mail every three months beginning on your third month. 

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