An Open Outlet

Subhead: Drama Club starts open mic night to create safe space for
student performers

In the small, dimly lit theater room, Zoe Aho (12) sat down at the piano, the first act of the night.
As she took her seat on the bench, the room grew silent. She adjusted the microphone to just
the right height and she began to sing the first words to “Skinny Love” by Birdy.

"It felt great," Aho said. "It’s been a while since I’ve performed

with an audience, and I love gaining practice and confidence all in one."

Any student is free to express themselves through a poem, song, monologue or dance at open
mic night, a new event hosted and created by the Drama Club. The intent was to create a safe
performance space where all students are welcome to watch or share their talents.

“I think it's important to maintain a creative space, just as an outlet,” Gloria Zink (10), Secretary
of the Drama Club, said. “I think a creative outlet, for most students, really allows them to
exceed and excel in their other classes as well...it does give you that opportunity to just express
yourself in the way that fits you best.”

Oct. 30 was the first ever open mic night, and won’t be the last. Drama Club is hoping to
continue hosting future open mic nights. There is likely going to be another one taking place in
December and in future months.

"I think we're hoping to have one once every other month,” Freya Dufner (12), treasurer of
Drama Club, said. "So that students who can't come out to the first one, or the second one, they
have a few different opportunities, and if they want to practice a piece, or have different pieces
that they want to perform."

It has been a challenge for many members of the drama club to be able to schedule an open
mic night in the busy season of preparing for the fall play. Since open mic night is mainly
student-organized and had many theater club participants, it was difficult to find time that would
work for everyone.

"We're sort of having a bit of a conflict," Harriet Carr (11), Drama Club co-president, said. "Just
because the play is going on, and all four of our board members are involved in the play.”

Despite challenges, such as being able to picture what exactly they wanted the atmosphere to
feel like, Drama Club still managed to successfully give life to their dream.
"High School is hard," Emma Stroupe, Drama Club president, said." And performing, and having
an outlet, is really important, and I think that it's good to have an outlet in your own home, but
it's also sometimes good to be vulnerable and take the stage in front of a small group of people
who will support you."