BALTIMORE, MD, March 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Now entering its fifth glorious year, the tell-tale heart that is The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre's "Doomsday" Poe readathon beats on!

From noon on May 17, 2026 to noon on May 18th, 24 hours' worth of Poe's writings will be read non-stop at In The Dark Circus Arts (861 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230), and livestreamed on YouTube.

The YouTube stream is already set up for reminders, and can be accessed through this link: https://youtube.com/live/GmO34l_b864.

"It's hard to imagine that an idea that started in my basement five years ago has turned into an event that's not only city-wide, but national and international as well," said Poe Theatre Artistic Director Alex Zavistovich. "It's exhausting – I'm generally up for 36 hours straight – but it's an important way to connect with the community and to keep the legacy of Poe's work alive for fans of all ages."

In addition to the readathon, Doomsday 2026 host In the Dark Circus Arts is opening its doors to the public to visit and participate in Poe-themed activities and attractions during the 24-hour period.

This is a Baltimore event that has indeed become international. Groups across the US and around the world will be producing their own version of the readathon. Other locales hosting their own "Doomsday" readathons include Tennessee, South Carolina, Brazil and Scotland, with more signing on all the time, to make Doomsday an event for any die-hard "Poe-try" fan.

Doomsday's readers come from all walks of life: Political figures, educators, students, actors, authors – even the Baltimore Krampus! Confirmed readers this year include (but are not limited to): Maryland State Delegates Luke Clippinger and Mark Edelson; Baltimore City councilman Mark Parker; Morgan State University's Jan Short; WYPR-FM Program Director Maxie Jackson; and literally dozens more.

Each participating organization uses its Doomsday event for awareness and fundraising. In Baltimore, the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre has established a GiveButter page: https://givebutter.com/c/u1NW60 from which it will gratefully accept donations.

These donations will cover the theatre's operating costs – particularly to remount the company's critically-acclaimed stage production A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe by Zac Pensol, and to cover production costs for our ongoing series of "Poe Theatre on the Air" radio dramas for National Public Radio. Proceeds are also being directed to help fund a dedicated venue for future company productions.

The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the only company in the world dedicated to adapting the works of Edgar Allan Poe onstage, for broadcast, and in schools for literacy. The company is best known for its award-winning "Poe Theatre on the Air" series of radio drama adaptations of Poe's stories, carried on National Public Radio, WYPR-FM, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and many other platforms. For more information, visit www.poetheatre.org

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