The Blasphemy of a Good Bath, a Choreopoem

The Blasphemy of a Good Bath, a Choreopoem
by The Vortex

Oct. 23 - Oct. 26
Thursday-Sunday

October 23–26, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM (Doors at 7:00 PM)

Venue: The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX

Performance Schedule

Ensemble 1: Thu, Oct 23 & Fri, Oct 24 (Ms. Trin-I-Tee, Mazat, Tiffany Rose)
Ensemble 2: Sat, Oct 25 & Sun, Oct 26 (Nala Washington, The Blacksmith, Boooka)

Eloise Stage Afterparties

Fri, Oct 24: every.Word Uncut Poetry Cypher: A late-night poetry cypher where words move freely and boundaries blur. Poets, rappers, and musicians trade verses in a space charged with intimacy, improvisation, and fire. No rules, no sign-ups, no clock — just raw expression and unfiltered energy. It’s a gathering where voices collide, rhythms intertwine, and the night stretches as long as the flow. Come ready to speak, vibe, and surrender to the moment.
Sat, Oct 25: Underground Poetry Slam: A poetry slam hosted by Michael Hatcher and Jasmine Games. No mic. No props. Just 8 poets, 3 minutes each, and the crowd decides the winner by applause. Go over time, and you’re out. Raw, unfiltered, and fueled by fire. The pot is built by the poets and crowd donations, and the winner takes all. Bring your voice. Bring your applause. Bring the heat.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Michael Hatcher (he/him) is a poet with over 13 years of experience in the slam scene and the Executive Director of The Poet House. He holds a BS in Sociology from The University of North Texas and a Global MA in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University. A decorated slam poet, Hatcher is a 4x Dallas–Fort Worth Regional Slam Champion, a Jubilee Theater Black History Slam Champion, and a 2024 Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam finalist. His books include Things I Say in Crowded Rooms and above the canopy, with publications in Inverted Syntax Magazine, Flying Ketchup, and Word Space Dallas. Follow him @mikekpz_poetry.

Jasmine 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 Award for excellence in theatre education. She is a 2025 Austin Poet Laureate finalist and a 2025 Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam finalist. As Artistic Director of The Poet House, home to every.Word Poetry and Courageous Cadence, 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.

Dre’ Jackson (he/him) is a poet originally from Central Florida and Warwick, Bermuda, now based in Austin, Texas. With degrees in Psychology and Education, he writes with a deep respect for human complexity, always tuned into both the mind and the moment. A writer first and performer second, Jackson turns feelings into something audiences can hear, feel, and maybe even heal from. His style is honest, curious, and intentional, tracing the contours of love, heartbreak, lust, and everything in between. His debut poetry collection, Side Mirror, is available on Amazon.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

every.Word Poetry is a program of The Poet House, a sponsored project of the Austin Creative Alliance, committed to cultivating a community of spoken word artists in Austin, TX and beyond. The Poet House centers poets of color, queer poets, youth, and poets with disabilities through performances, workshops, and wellness-based programs.

The VORTEX, one of Austin’s longest-running alternative performance venues, is a cultural anchor dedicated to inclusive and innovative art. Home to The Eloise Stage, a nationally certified butterfly garden, The Butterfly Bar, and Patrizi’s, The VORTEX supports diverse artists and communities through bold new works and collaborative partnerships.

Join us for a powerful evening of poetry, music, and the beauty of Black expression.

The Blasphemy of a Good Bath, written and performed by Michael Hatcher (@mikekpz_poetry) - October 23–26, 2025

Featuring live music, poetry, and two late-night afterparties: the every. Word Uncut Poetry Cypher (Oct 25) & the Underground Poetry Slam (Oct 26)

Ensemble:

Jasmine Games (@jasminegamespoetry)
Tender René (@millieux)
Mazat (@yulupalmazat)
Nala Washington (@luvnalaa @that.poetgirl)
Ms. Trin-I-Tee (@ms.trinitee)
The Blacksmith (@theblacksmithpoetry)
Tiffany Rose (@tifftoorosey)
Boooka (@majinboooka)

Directed by Jasmine Games and Dre’ Jackson (@s_bubbaj)
Dramaturgy by Eva Margarita (@doc.evamargarita)
Sound Design by Hawk (@hawksoloproduction @hawk_is_solo)
Lighting Design by Amy Lewis
Set Design by Alex Cogburn (@alexcogburn) and Daniel Hernandez (@07danhernandez)

: Jaz Chipman

every.Word Poetry is a program of The Poet House. The Poet House is a sponsored project of the Austin Creative Alliance (@austincreativea).