Students at Southeast Missouri State University are not only encouraged to excel academically but also to express their creativity in poetry, song, acting and music. The Student Activities Council offers an outlet for such talent at the annual Open Mic Night.
Sophomore Trevor Mulholland, the professional music coordinator for SAC, believes this is an inventive way to get students interested in campus activities.
"The students requested that we do an open mic event of some kind, and as a council we made it happen," Mulholland said. "This has become a regular event over the last few years and seems to be growing more each time. Last year we had a student get up and read a whole short story and then another student came up and read a few short haiku."
Open Mic Night is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 14 in the University Center Ballroom, and all students are encouraged to participate.
Sophomore Lindsey Wildschuetz enjoys attending the event each year and watching fellow students perform.
"I like how you can go and hear original pieces, and people aren't afraid to be themselves," Wildschuetz said. "It is a great time to hang out with friends and even make some new friends.
"I attended Open Mic Night last year and had no idea what to expect, but I was very excited because it was something new. I came out of it having really enjoyed it and wanting to go to another one again."
Senior Audrey Hanley also plans to attend the event.
"I love hearing everyone's original works or interpretations of others," Hanley said. "They send chills through my body and give me goose bumps. Every mind is different, and it is wonderful getting to see some of them in action.
"All kinds of personalities appear at Open Mic Night. If students go and at least watch, they will find themselves meeting people with new realms and perspectives different from theirs. They will meet all different kinds of people from different departments on campus and sometimes you end up running into professors as well. It will get them thinking in new ways."
Hanley has not participated in Southeast's Open Mic Night, but she has participated in a similar event at Broadway Books & Roasting Co. on Broadway.
"I read two original poems, and I was really nervous," Hanley said. "After the first time though, you start to realize that people enjoy listening to you and that they appreciate you and what you've given to them."
Students who wish to participate should contact Trevor Mulholland at tpmulholland1s@semo.edu. Signups are open until the day of the event.
