On Sept. 24, the Troubadour hosted its first Open Mic Night, allowing students to perform various arts ranging from music to poetry contributing to the theme of the evening—what we create is representative of who we are.

“Lot’s of students were eager to perform, so the process of acquiring performers went very smoothly,” Bryce Barnes, Editor in Chief of the Troubadour, recalls.

“The process of creating the Open Mic Night was very stressful but fun,” Sarene Jackson, Managing Editor of the Troubadour, said. “I was in charge of creating and editing the setlist. I had fun watching the events happen and seeing it all come together.”

The night consisted of theatrical performances that provided the audience with a glimpse of the performer’s identity.

“My favorite performance was Josh Crowder’s short story,” Chris De La Cruz from the House of Reagan said. “His story was really good. I honestly have never seen that side of him and I’ve been his friend for about a semester and a half now.”

Josh Crowder, a second-year in the House of Reagan and Associate Editor for the Troubadour, read a short story he had written.

He began simply and almost grandfatherly, seated onstage in a wing-back chair wearing a pair of reading glasses. Crowder’s story about an injured bird he cared for quickly turned dark the way of Edgar Alan Poe.The audience visibly gasped at Crowder’s vivid description of a decayed bird carcass.

Josh Crowder reading his story | Photo courtesy of Alicia Lenea

“I stood in the back of the City Room and watched as those in attendance began slowly turning to their friends, wondering whether or not they should laugh, cry or sit in disgust,” Barnes said.

Everyone was whispering their theories about his performance. The story Crowder shared resonated with a majority of viewers.

“As with all good performances, the atmosphere of the room changed. After the applause, the MC introduced the next performer, but it was an uncomfortable transition, like being woken from a dream,” Barnes continued.

Later in the night, Joshua Story shared his opinions on the superior iced tea brand, Lipton. Sophia Quintanilla read a poem dedicated to women throughout history and their contributions to modern freedom and equality. Juliette Kheyfets presented original songs about her life in a set called “Slightly True Stories.”

Students felt that the event provided space to create and share art with each other. Allowing them to display their talents; coming together through this creative outlet.

“I enjoyed the event,” De La Cruz said. “It is definitely like a safe space for people. I felt like everyone was pretty supportive with whatever they did. If it was poetry, short stories, or singing, I felt like Open Mic Night was a great place for people to go and showcase their talents.”

This is the first event The Troubadour has hosted this semester. Barnes attributed the success of the night to The Troubadour's exec team who each helped to put the event on.

“To the credit of my excellent exec team, curating the event, decorating and determining the overall aesthetic and mood of the room was very enjoyable,” Barnes said.

Rachel Freeman performs Isn’t It Sweet | Photo courtesy of Alicia Lenea

Rachel Freeman, a senior in the House of Thatcher, performed a new single entitled “Isn’t It Sweet.” She has performed other original songs from her EP, This is About You, at previous Open Mics. According to Freeman, the audience is an important part of the music she makes.

“Something that Professor Wilkinson taught me in her PCI class was that art isn’t art if you don’t share it with people. Art requires two parties: the artist and the audience. The audience has to be given the opportunity to respond to and be moved by someone’s art.“ Freeman said.

Troubadour Hosts Open Mic Night