We deliver advisory and implementation services in strategy, operations, marketing, and technology.

The Poetry Brothel was founded at the Living Theater in NYC by Stephanie Berger and Nicholas Adamski in the year 2007. The event was initially conceived as a performance art event aimed at fostering intimacy, urgency and exaltation within the New York poetry community, and at expanding that community to include a more diverse population of artists. At the time, New York City, the place perceived by thousands of young writers to be the epicenter of the contemporary poetry world, felt boring. Allen Ginsberg, Frank O’Hara and Edna St. Vincent Millay had quit running amok decades earlier, and a clear vitalizing alternative was required. The Poetry Brothel provided one cure: a pastiche of back-alley history and literary revelry, this event series remedied the monotony of the slam poetry reading’s excessive bravado, and charmed patrons of the one-note, one-format academic poetry readings out of their fold-up chairs into back rooms for private readings. In 2009, The Poetry Brothel’s first international chapter, Prostibulo Poetico, was founded by Kiely Sweatt, a member of the original cast in NYC, in Barcelona. From there, chapters of The Poetry Brothel began emerging all over the world.

Since its beginning, The Poetry Brothel has been inspired by the sacred origins of sex work, the history of art in brothels, and the subversion of language and structures which have historically been oppressive but can now be used to empower marginalized groups. We have always strongly believed that as poets and artists, placing sex work at the center of The Poetry Brothel’s framework—and sparking conversations about it— is one of the best ways we can de-stigmatize the profession—and expressive intimacy more generally. The Poetry Brothel also strives to support sex workers by casting, and hiring current and former sex workers and thereby uplifting sex workers’ voices in the arts; by raising money and providing a platform for sex worker service and activist organizations; and by educating audiences about consent and the issues at play in the sex industry. If you aren’t already familiar with our sex worker advocacy partner GLITS, please consider familiarizing yourself and making a contribution to support trans sex workers’ rights and safety. 10% of profits from each of our events go directly to GLITS.

The Poetry Brothel currently operates in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Denver, Chicago, Amsterdam, and many more locations throughout the world!

The Poetry Brothel is always seeking new poets, artists, musicians, mystics, dancers, vaudevillians, circus performers, sideshow acts, set designers, volunteers of all kinds, and basically any one who feels they have something to contribute to The Poetry Brothel. Artists from underrepresented communities are in particular encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in joining The Poetry Brothel community, please send application materials to your local “madam”—a list of whom can be found here.

In your application, you will need to include:

• a headshot

• your character name and bio (this need not contain any factual or professional information)

• a cover letter that includes your professional name, the city where you reside, and a link to your website, portfolio or social page

• 5 pages of your poetry, if applicable

• an audition video up to 5 minutes long (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.)

At The Poetry Brothel, we strive to create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. While our performers bring their art close to you, please respect that we are largely a no-contact event. Our performers should feel comfortable and unimpeded while sharing their craft.

Consent is crucial. We uphold a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, unwanted touch, and any homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, ableist, or ageist behavior. Our goal is to ensure a respectful and inclusive space where every participant and performer can thrive. If someone is making you uncomfortable or harassing you, please speak to the Madam or event manager. They will believe you, and they will help.

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