ABOUT US
Poetry Unplugged is a organization that empowers artists to show up as themselves, try new things, and share what matters to them on a city-wide scale.
Through monthly performances, workshops, and group projects, we aim to uplift both new and experienced artists.
We’re committed to breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. We honor real stories and the full range of human experiences. By making room for vulnerability, empathy, and honest expression, we hope to spark stronger connections and real change in Cleveland.
WHERE WE STARTED
Poetry Unplugged didn’t start in a boardroom; it started in Cleveland, between two artists aiming to tell their truths. In November of 2021, Morgan Paige and Tom Parker crossed paths while at a poetry event located at a bar. The crowd was there, but they weren't there for the poetry; artists had to yell over the crowd and make room for themselves to be heard. Morgan and Tom wanted to create a calmer atmosphere, a place where artists could truly hear and support one another, a place for the audience to unplug. Poetry Unplugged was birthed at Contrast High on January 20th, 2022. Moving through Northeast Ohio’s art scene, Poetry Unplugged saw firsthand how many people were holding stories with nowhere real to put them. That’s what pushed them to build a space where honesty, grit, and talent could actually live. Along the way, the team has shifted, more initiatives have been created, and we've traveled near and far, but our core values and atmosphere still remain the same.
WHERE WE ARE
Right now, Poetry Unplugged is still rooted in Cleveland and still community-first. The work’s hands-on, grassroots, and built for the people who show up.
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P.I.N. (Poets in Need): A fund that helps artists stay afloat — covering resources, opportunities, or whatever keeps the art moving.
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Writer’s Room: A YouTube series shining a light on local creatives and the stories behind their craft.
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Poetry Unplugged Sprout: A steady space for young poets to write, speak, experiment, and be heard without judgment.
WHERE WE'RE GOING
Looking ahead, Poetry Unplugged aims grow without losing its Cleveland pulse. There’s room to bring programming into more schools, expand youth pathways, and create real pipelines for young writers. Workshops, touring shows, and new venue partnerships can widen the stage.
The Writer’s Room will evolve into a fuller media hub: podcasts, mini-docs, maybe even a citywide archive of Cleveland poetry and performance. As the P.I.N. fund grows, it will offer grants, residencies, and long-term support that helps artists build sustainable creative lives.
The organization of Poetry Unplugged stays the same [community first], but our reach will keep stretching further, louder, and deeper.
