How to Run a Successful Open Mic

Every year since 2010, Northwest Academy has held an open mic night. However, they have never run smoothly due to a lack of advertisement, finding a good space and a struggle with bringing in a large crowd to watch or perform.

“I think that open mic night is vital to the culture of the school,” Aaron Hollomon, a senior and former open mic performer, said. “Being able to display art in such a relaxed, positive environment is important to keeping Northwest Academy an art-based school.”

Although Hollomon has strong beliefs about the value of open mic night, he was very dissatisfied with last year’s show.

“Last year was disappointing because so few students participated,” Hollomon said. “At the open mic that was held at the Angry Pigeon last May, only about five people participated and not very many people came to watch.”

Although these performances have not been quite successful in the past, Katerina Mon Belle, a junior, believes with some extra effort, the school can have a successful event.

“I think that Northwest Academy can most definitely host a very successful open mic night with hard work,” Mon Belle said. “I think that there needs to be a lot of advertising for the open mic night as well as encouragement and even incentive for performers and attendees. An open and supportive environment is also essential for a successful open mic night.”

Hollomon said that a lack of skills at the school isn’t the problem.

“With all the different talent at this school, I think Northwest Academy can definitely hold a successful open mic night if people are willing to participate,” Hollomon said.

According to David Wagstaff, Dean of Students, these events are successful when the audience is enjoying themselves and when people take risks on stage who commonly wouldn’t.

“People who might not ordinarily consider themselves performers or feel like they do not have anything to offer can get up on stage and find out their art is important to other people,” Wagstaff said. “That’s the crucial thing about open mic night.”

According to Mon Belle, another reason why previous open mic nights were unsuccessful is because of students’ negative opinions.

“One of the biggest reasons could be support and that many people treat performing at the open mic night as ‘uncool’ or ‘amateur’ and this type of behavior needs to be stopped,” Mon Belle said.

Hollomon is concerned that these opportunities to show students’ work may not continue.

“If people don’t start participating in or supporting the open mic, I think it’s possible the open mic won’t get what it needs to continue,” Hollomon said.

Wagstaff with two wranglers, Liz Lundblade and Sofia Marcus-Myers are arranging this year’s open mic night that will take place Jan. 30.