  Conical defects of the form $(AdS_3\times S^3)/Z_k$ have an exact orbifold
description in worldsheet string theory, which we derive from their known
presentation as gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten models. The configuration of strings
and fivebranes sourcing this geometry is well-understood, as is the
correspondence to states/operators in the dual $CFT_2$. One can analytically
continue the construction to Euclidean $AdS_3$ (i.e. $H_3^+$) and consider the
orbifold by any infinite discrete (Kleinian) group generated by a set of
elliptic (rotational) elements. The resulting geometry consists of multiple
conical defects traveling along geodesics in $H_3^+$, and provides a
semiclassical bulk description of correlation functions in the dual CFT
involving the corresponding defect operators, which is nonperturbatively exact
in $\alpha'$. The Lorentzian continuation of these geometries describes a
collection of defects colliding to make a BTZ black hole. We comment on a
recent proposal to use such correlators to prepare a basis of black hole
microstates, and elaborate on a picture of black hole formation and evaporation
in terms of the underlying brane dynamics in the bulk.
