Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
March 05, 2026
Poe's Doomsday Readathon Goes Global in 5th Year
TLDR
- The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre's Doomsday readathon offers global exposure for participants and fundraising opportunities through its GiveButter page to support future productions.
- The 24-hour readathon runs from noon May 17 to noon May 18, 2026 at In The Dark Circus Arts in Baltimore and is livestreamed on YouTube.
- This event connects communities worldwide, preserves Poe's literary legacy for all ages, and funds educational programs and radio dramas for public broadcasting.
- Readers include politicians, educators, and even the Baltimore Krampus, with simultaneous events in Tennessee, South Carolina, Brazil, and Scotland for Poe fans everywhere.
Impact - Why it Matters
This event matters because it revitalizes classic literature for modern audiences, fostering cultural engagement and literacy through a unique, participatory format. By expanding internationally, it connects Poe fans worldwide, promoting cross-cultural appreciation of American Gothic literature. The fundraising supports artistic productions and educational initiatives, ensuring Poe's legacy endures in accessible formats like radio dramas and live theatre. For communities, it offers a creative outlet and economic boost through local events, while for individuals, it provides an immersive way to experience timeless stories, highlighting literature's power to unite people across borders and generations.
Summary
The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre is preparing for its fifth annual "Doomsday" readathon, a 24-hour marathon reading of Edgar Allan Poe's works scheduled from noon on May 17 to noon on May 18, 2026. The flagship event will be held at In The Dark Circus Arts in Baltimore, Maryland, and will be livestreamed on YouTube, with the stream already set up for reminders. Artistic Director Alex Zavistovich, reflecting on the event's growth from a basement idea to an international phenomenon, emphasizes its role in community connection and preserving Poe's legacy. The host venue will also open its doors for Poe-themed activities, transforming the readathon into an immersive experience.
This Baltimore-born event has truly gone global, with satellite readathons organized by groups in Tennessee, South Carolina, Brazil, and Scotland, and more locations joining to create a worldwide celebration for die-hard "Poe-try" fans. The readers themselves are a diverse group, including political figures like Maryland State Delegates Luke Clippinger and Mark Edelson, Baltimore City councilman Mark Parker, educators such as Morgan State University's Jan Short, media personalities like WYPR-FM Program Director Maxie Jackson, and even the Baltimore Krampus, showcasing the event's broad appeal. Each participating organization uses Doomsday for awareness and fundraising, with the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre directing proceeds through its GiveButter page to support critical projects.
Funds raised will cover the theatre's operating costs, including remounting the acclaimed stage production "A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe" by Zac Pensol and producing the ongoing "Poe Theatre on the Air" radio drama series for National Public Radio. Additionally, proceeds will help fund a dedicated venue for future productions, furthering the company's mission as the world's only non-profit dedicated to adapting Poe's works for stage, broadcast, and educational literacy programs. For more information, visit www.poetheatre.org, where details about the theatre's award-winning radio dramas, available on platforms like NPR, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts, can be found.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Poe's Doomsday Readathon Goes Global in 5th Year
