15 years of madness and terror

PoeFest

Fifteen years ago we opened PoeFest with just six audience members. By our third night we were packed and we knew we had something special. PoeFest has been a labor of love for more than a decade now. Thanks to all our past audience members, actors, and crew for helping to make our little Edgar Allan Poe Festival the biggest and best in the country.

"PoeFest presents the works of Edgar Allan Poe in a chilling new way."
-Downtown Devil

PoeFest includes our Student Writing Competition sponsored by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange. Students in grades 7 to 9 compete in our poetry and short story contests judged by a panel of experts. Our festival comes to a close with our grand finale on Halloween Night featuring performances of 'The Raven' every twenty minutes at the historic Rosson House Museum in Heritage Square, Downtown Phoenix.

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New Times Best Halloween Tradition
Phoenix New Times

"100% pure, mind-blowing acting . . . masterful and breathtaking."

Arizona Republic

"PoeFest captures creepy magic . . . creepy mix of erudition and depravity."

KJZZ

"PoeFest delights in darkness. Unsettling. Unnerving."

Arizona Foothills Magazine

"A one-of-a-kind delight . . . poetically haunting and engaging."

PoeFest

Schedule of Events

Now until Saturday, October 29, 2023

Ends Oct. 29th at Midnight
October 26th

'PoeFest Student Writing Competition'

Sponsored by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

RULES

Saturday, October 31, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
October 31st

'The Raven'

Rosson House Museum

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Student Writing Competition

    Student Writing Competition

    Sponsored by
    Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

    http://www.bookmans.com

    PoeFest Student Writing Competition sponsored by Bookmans

    Each year, ACT Inc. and PoeFest, in partnership with Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, hold a Student Writing Competition open to all Arizona students in grades 7, 8, and 9. ACT Inc. and PoeFest are pleased to have Bookmans Entertainment Exchange sponsoring our contests and supplying great prizes to our student winners. Please click here to find the nearest Bookmans location.

    The 2023 contest is now OPEN. Submit your entries today!

    Short Story Contest

    • Author must be in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade for the 2023-2024 school year.
    • Story must be between 1,000 and 7,500 words.
    • Themes must be in the genres of horror and/or mystery.
    • Author must have permission of a parent or guardian.
    • Submission deadline is October 29, 2023.
    • To email your submission click here.

    Poetry Contest

    • Poet must be in the 7th, 8th, or 9th grade for the 2023-2024 school year.
    • Story must be no more than 422 lines
    • Themes must be in the genres of love, horror, and/or death
    • Author must have permission of a parent or guardian.
    • Submission deadline is October 29, 2023.
    • To email your submission click here.

    PoeFest

    Cast

    James D. Porter
    The Tell-Tale Heart

    James D. Porter

    Founder, ACT Inc.

    Jim Coates
    The Cask of Amontillado

    Jim Coates, PhD

    Co-Founder, ACT Inc.

    Danette Porter
    The Oval Portrait

    Danette Porter

    Co-Founder, ACT Inc.

    Laurelann Porter
    The Premature Burial

    Laurelann Porter, PhD

    Teaching Artist, ACT inc.

    David J. Dickinson
    The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar

    David J. Dickinson

    Teaching Artist, ACT Inc.

    Beau Heckman
    The Black Cat

    Beau Heckman

    Teaching Artist, ACT Inc.

    Megan Holcomb
    Masque of the Red Death

    Megan Holcomb

    Teaching Artist, ACT Inc.

    What we offer

    PoeFest

    PoeFest Main Stage

    PoeFest Student Writing Competition

    Sponsored by Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, students in grades 7 to 9 compete in two separate contests testing their skills at writing short stories and/or poetry. A panel of experts read every entry and declare winners on Halloween. Winners receive a gift package from Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.

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    The Raven at Rosson House

    'The Raven' at Rosson House

    Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' is performed every twenty minutes on the grand staircase inside the restored Victorian mansion. Admission includes a tour of the lower level with items of Victorian mourning and the 19th century doctor's office.

    RULES

    Maps & Info

    'The Raven' at Rosson House

    Rosson House Museum

    Built in 1895, Rosson House Museum sits on its original foundation in historic Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix. Built in the rare Stick-Eastlake Queen Anne Style, this striking Victorian mansion is fully restored complete with a 19th century doctor's examination room. The Museum tour will also include creepy items of Victorian mourning.

     

    Address:

    113 N 6th St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

     

    Email:

    boxoffice@poefest.org

     

    Phone Toll-Free:

    (888) 343-4228

    Transportation

    Travel

    Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor
    Valley Metro Rail: 3rd Street/Washington-Jefferson
    Cross Streets: 7 St & Monroe

    Parking

    Parking

    Heritage Garage: $12 (cards accepted)
    501 E Monroe, Phoenix, AZ 85004
    Phoenix Convention Ctr East: $15 (cards accepted)
    601 E Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85004

    Resataurants

    Food

    Que Sazón
    622 E Adams St, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
    Pizzeria Bianco
    623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
    Latha
    628 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

    Contact Form


    The Raven