Miranda Fabian
Mizzou Poetry Club president Joe Hess and officer Ellie Dugdale laugh after performing during the group’s first open mic poetry event on Wednesday Sept. 10 in front of Reynolds hall in Columbia, Mo. The night included more than poetry readings, with singing, storytelling and even comedy acts. The club meets at least once a month.
The amphitheater outside the Reynolds Journalism Institute was full of laughter and excited chatter on Wednesday Sept. 10. Attendees of the University of Missouri Poets Society’s first open mic eagerly filled out the performance docket and waited for the show to begin at 7 p.m.
The Mizzou Poets Society, founded in 2022 by fifth-year Sarah Hayes, began hosting its open mics in early 2024. Hayes, the current treasurer, who is majoring in atmospheric science with a minor in English, founded the club with the intention of creating a space where writers could share their work, be proud of it and grow in their craft.
Since its first occurrence, the attendance of the open mics has grown over time, bringing in eager performers from all over campus.
“The people here are so talented, and I’m glad they get to show it off,” Hayes said.
Current President Joe Hess, a senior studying English and psychology, and Vice President Sidonie Habert, a senior in English and linguistics, both commented on the unique impact open mics can have on artists’ journeys and the artistic process.
“It’s an entirely different ballgame of writing poetry versus reading it out loud, and the chance to perform your poetry kind of transforms it a little bit, both in terms of listening and performing it,” Habert said.
The open mic isn’t open to just poets — it’s great for anyone looking to develop their public speaking or performance skills.
“Especially with open mics, just in terms of public speaking or being in front of a crowd, it’s a huge piece of confidence to have your writing celebrated and enjoyed by people,” Habert said.
The show commenced, and a hush fell over the crowd. Various performers stood or sat in front of the microphone stand, presenting a wide selection of creative pieces. They ranged from spoken-word, stand-up comedy, prose storytelling, music and theatrical recitations. They were often met with laughter, applause, affirmative snaps and ‘mmms’ from the audience. The mood fluctuated throughout the night, depending on the message and voice of each speaker.
“People have beautiful, funny and sad things to say, and there are others willing to listen,” senior Lily Slemmons said.
Slemmons, who’s studying natural resource science and management, performed her own original poems at the open mic about the realization that despair and despondence should not feel comfortable.
“There is beauty in life and love, and if we just stick around long enough, it will emerge,” Slemmons said.
Another performer, K’ouwa Jiron, a first-year journalism student, performed poems about his experience as an Indigenous person.
“I also write about emotions that I can’t really describe in any other fashion,” Jiron said.
The Mizzou Poets Society places this need for self-expression, as well as the importance of safe community building, above all else.
“We have new writers, new poets who come in and be like, ‘Hi, guys, this is my first time,’” Hess said. “And they’ll be met with applause from everyone because we’re all just so excited to have new people in our space.”
Charlie Hill, a junior studying mass communications who presented a poem about his speech impediment, echoed Hess’s sentiments.
“The sense of community was my favorite part,” Hill said. “Meeting people and watching them interact with those they already know is always such a sweet feeling.”
As the evening progressed, the atmosphere transformed into one not only of artistic passion, but also of communal affirmation and understanding. Students enjoyed lemonade, cookies and each other’s company as the sun set over the Francis Quadrangle.
“Spaces like the open mic are important because people need spaces to feed their soul,” Hayes said. “We don’t ask anything of the performers other than to perform, and nothing of the listeners other than to listen. This is important to people. Art is important, no matter what form.”
The Mizzou Poets Society plans to host an open mic every first Wednesday of the month in The Shack, though venues are subject to change.
Edited by Ainsley Bryson | [email protected]
Copy edited by Savannah Church and Avery Copeland | [email protected]
Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]