The Poet House
About The Poet House
Home to every.Word Poetry & Courageous Cadence
The Poet House is dedicated to fostering a vibrant national community of spoken word poets through productions, open mics, workshops, and resources. We empower artists to express their voices, share their stories, and connect with audiences across the country.
 | Our StoryFounded by Michael Hatcher and Jasmine Games, The Poet House is deeply rooted in the legacy of Michael’s poetry upbringing under Giselle Robinson—a nationally awarded poet who nurtured and supported poets in her home, affectionately named "G's House." Inspired by Giselle's commitment to community and storytelling, The Poet House seeks to honor her legacy by creating a space where poetry and storytelling inspire change and foster connection.
The Poet House began with grassroots poetry cyphers on the streets, organized under the every.Word Poetry banner. These gatherings brought poets together to share their words, build community, and reclaim public spaces as stages for self-expression. What started as an impromptu act of connection evolved into a dynamic organization dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and stories. As a fiscally sponsored project of The Austin Creative Alliance, The Poet House serves as a hub for artists, educators, and activists. With programs like every.Word Poetry, which uplifts spoken word artists through workshops and performances, and Courageous Cadence, which empowers youth voices, The Poet House amplifies the stories that matter most. Rooted in inclusivity, artistry, and social justice, The Poet House is dedicated to fostering creativity, connection, and empowerment through the transformative power of words. |
Our Mission
The Poet House, based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to fostering a vibrant national community of spoken word poets, primarily serving poets of color, queer poets, poets with disabilities, and youth poets. Through productions, open mics, workshops, and resources, we empower artists to express their voices, share their stories, and connect with audiences across the country.
Our Vision
We envision a vibrant, interconnected community of spoken word poets across the nation, where diverse voices are celebrated, and artistic expression is valued. Rooted in Austin, Texas, our programs and resources aim to elevate the art of spoken word, inspire future generations of poets, especially those from underrepresented communities—and foster lasting connections that empower individuals and enrich the broader community.
Our Artistic Disciplines
Spoken Word, Poetry, Theatre Arts, Literary Arts, Musical Arts
Programs
 | A dynamic space for poets and spoken word artists to develop their craft, amplify their voices, and connect with audiences. Through open mic nights, workshops, and performances, every.Word Poetry creates a platform for diverse stories and perspectives, promoting artistic excellence and cultural dialogue. Features
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 | Focused on youth empowerment and community engagement, Courageous Cadence offers workshops, residencies, and an open mic designed to inspire the next generation of poets, leaders, and changemakers. This initiative centers on using poetry as a tool for race and gender (in)justice. Features
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Meet the Team
The Poet House is powered by a small but mighty team of two core leaders who share equal responsibility and decision-making power. Alongside them, a growing network of passionate volunteers supports the heart of the organization, contributing to everything from programming to community engagement. This collective effort ensures that every aspect of The Poet House, including creative development, educational outreach, and operational management, is infused with dedication, imagination, and care. Together, they embody the resilience and creativity that drive The Poet House’s mission to inspire, connect, and empower through the transformative power of poetry and the arts.
 |  | Michael Hatcher | CEO & PresidentMichael Hatcher (he/him) is a poet with over 13 years of experience in the slam scene. He is the CEO & President of every.Word Poetry. He holds a BS in Sociology from The University of North Texas and a Global MA in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University. Michael has won multiple poetry slams, including 4x Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Slam Champion and Jubilee Theater Black History Slam Champion. He is also an author, with his books Things I say in crowded rooms and above the canopy and publications in Inverted Syntax Magazine, Flying Ketchup, and Word Space Dallas. Follow him @mikekpz_poetry. | Jasmine Games | Artistic DirectorJasmine Games (she/her) is a Black queer spoken word poet and theater practitioner from Houston, TX. She holds a BA in English and Performance Studies from Texas A&M University and an MFA in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities from The University of Texas at Austin. An award-winning artist, she received the 2021 Sexton Prize for Poetry and the Winifred Ward for excellence in theatre education. As Artistic Director of every.Word Poetry and Director of Education & Social Justice at The VORTEX, she uses drama and creative writing to address social justice. Her debut poetry collection, Somebody’s Daughter, is available online. Follow her @jasminegamespoetry or visit jasmineigames.com.
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