The 2026 O.B. Hardison Poetry Series Finale Reading
Folger Theatre · Capitol Hill
This works best for readers already engaged with contemporary poetry who want to understand a living poet's intellectual genealogy—not an entry point for newcomers to the form. If you've ever wondered what poets read to become poets, or you're curious about the specific artists who influenced someone whose work you admire, this intimate gathering offers genuine insight.
The Folger Theatre's poetry season reaches its culmination with an intimate evening celebrating literary lineage. Rather than a solo recitation, this finale invites its featured poet to map the constellation of influences that shaped their voice—reading work by the writers who made them, alongside their own contributions to the form. It's a structural choice that transforms a simple reading into a conversation between generations, letting audiences understand how poetry builds upon itself. Hosted in Capitol Hill's historic Folger Theatre, the event honors both the chosen poet and the community of supporters invested enough in the art form to guide the season's closing moment.
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Last updated February 19, 2026 · Summaries written by Theaterloop editors with AI assistance