What is an open mic, really?
A short guide to what open mics are and how you can get involved as an artist ❤
When you walk into a department store, have you noticed how there are sample products on display?
You test them out, see how you feel about it and then decide whether or not to buy. An open mic works in a similar fashion.
It is essentially a testing ground for performers — poets, musicians, storytellers, stand up comedians and mixed-art performers.
You basically come with your work and test out its performance with an audience.
This is a wonderful space to see how the audience react to your work and to discuss with fellow performers for insights and feedback. What open mics offer is a platform to try, trial and hone your performance skills as well as your work. These serve as the foundational ground for curated and ticketed shows down the line as an artist.
This is also a space for folks who aren’t looking to become performing artists, but who would like to simply share and celebrate their art. Numerous participants utilise open mics as a getaway from their daily routine and work life to intentionally engage with art. Not only is it a performance space, it has the capacity to grow into a circle of friends who love writing, listening and sharing their work.
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But I’ve never performed before and I’m genuinely nervous -
That’s completely understandable. Anything related to performing in front of a crowd is bound to create a sense of nervousness and a cloud of self-doubt about your work.
Here’s the thing about open mics though.
They are literally meant to be open experiments. I understand that you may confused about your work and may have set standards for yourself, but this is ground zero.
An open mic, above all, is meant to be a space of no expectations and a safe space for expression. It is the equivalent of someone inviting you to sit down in front of them and saying , “I’d like to hear what you have to say. Why don’t you sit down and tell us what you’ve brought today?”
(Side note: If it is any comfort at all, most performers are ridiculously nervous before they go on to perform in their slot. Folks who’ve been doing this for years still feel that way. Write, practice, allow yourself to feel nervous without judging yourself and perform anyway ❤)
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How do I prep and go through with an open mic?
- Choose the art work you’d like to perform
- Practice how you’d perform it
- Register for the open mic.
- Try and find out who the performers are. These folks are not just your co-performers, they are also folks who can offer valuable feedback and insight into your work.
- Support your co-performers and the organiser — whether it’s sharing their work, open mic posters, event set up etc. Not only is this a space to test out your material, it is, after all, also a community of artists intentionally helping each other out.
- During the open mic, make sure that audience members (who may be your friends and family) stay to support other artists as well. It means a lot to have an audience that chooses to be there for everyone.
- After the event make sure to talk or reach out to the performers and organisers. They are not only a support system and a friends circle whom you share art with, but they will also play a key role in how much you learn as an artist. Every performer has something to offer. Engage with their work and their process, you’ll be surprised to learn and grow with them.
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This was a small attempt to set context to what open mics are and how you can get involved with them. If there are any question or clarifications, please feel to comment or reach out to me on Instagram :)
