Poet, singer, comic, drag performer, toxic plant witch… there is much to contract from Poison Oak! [Cover photo: Felix Elixir]
Thotyssey: Poison, hello! Thank for chatting with us today! Actually, let’s start right away with: do friends just call you “Poison” at work, lol?
Poison Oak: Bold of you to assume I have friends— or stable employment! But yes! Poison is fine.
What inspired the name… you seem to be overall somewhat horticultural in your presentation.
I was raised in the middle of the woods, so I feel a deep affinity for nature. It shows up in my poetry a lot. I’m also inspired by the DC character Poison Ivy. Like, her I aspire to murder billionaires.
Whereabout were those enchanted woods you grew up in?
Very rural New England.
What sort of things inspired, and currently inspire, your poetry? Have you published any of your writings?
I’ve been published in a dozen or so literary journals nobody has ever never heard of. My goal is more so to bring poetry into the nightlife scene, to meet people where they’re at. My writing draws from nature, family, history, and grief. But there’s a poem waiting to be found in every moment.
What’s been your experience incorporating poetry into your nightlife performances? Is it a struggle to find the correct platforms for that?
I’ve reserved poetry for spaces where it’s appropriate — typically spaces with higher theatrical production value. The audience is a performer’s duet partner, and if they don’t want to play along, one can’t force them. But I also love to make people laugh, so my more standard drag numbers are comedy mixes which can be performed for a more general audience.
How did you discover, and begin, drag?
I actually started drag a decade ago when I moved to New York. I met Miz Jade, and we bonded over veganism. She was briefly my drag mother before I ran out of money and quit. Then, two years ago I started going out more and met drag artists in Brooklyn. Within a few months I started performing again… and haven’t looked back!
Tell us about your new Thursday weekly open mic, “Magic Wand” at Abracadabra Magic Diner.
Magic Wand was created by the owners at Abracadabra; they’re a very sweet couple from Istanbul who value creating space for local artists. It’s a fun show! I love hosting because I get to meet new people, and get exposed to new art. I used to do standup comedy, so it’s fun to combine humor within a show setting, and also use poetry to transition the audience across different emotions. The open mic artists are also so talented! A magician once pulled a card from a lemon he cut open on stage.
On Saturday, you’ll be joining Cunning Stunt for his recurring show “Throne” at Club Cumming! That won’t be your first time there, right?
Correct! My Club Cumming debut was last year; I performed “poetry therapy” in which an audience member tells me about something going on in their life (e.g., heartbreak, loss of a loved one) and I read them a poem specific to that topic to provide some healing. Although, I remember when Club Cumming used to be a gay bar with VHS porn and sticky floors. Those were the days!
And on Sunday, we’ll see the return of a special night you host, “Verse4Verse” at Dada.
“Verse4Verse” is a drag poetry show I created. Dada is a lovely space that hosts many music and literary events. My goal is to bring poetry to a broader queer audience. It’s not a regular poetry reading— there are also games and drag numbers, so it’s accessible to queer people who may not read much poetry. This month my friend Peach Bellini will be my special guest! I want to showcase drag artists who use language as part of their craft, from poets to rappers to songwriters. To my knowledge, it’s the only monthly drag poetry show in New York!
Looking ahead to August 9th, you’ll be in the cast of Sandy Jack’s latest installment of its PFLAG benefit show series, “Defend Us!“
Yup! The staff at Sandy Jack’s are so sweet and sincere, I’m happy to do any benefit show for them.
What else do the children need to know?
I also make commissioned mixes for drag artists. A good drag mix is a form a storytelling, so my writing skills come in handy there.
Absolutely! Okay lastly: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag?
Lash glue! It’s how I adhere stones to my forehead for my iconic crown mug.
Thanks, Poison!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Poison Oak’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
Thotyssey 