At open-mic night, organized by the University of North Dakota’s English department, students presented their works to an audience of their classmates, faculty, and the community. The event occurred this past Wednesday, September 25, at the Chester Fritz Library.
Before Patrick Henry, who was partially responsible for planning the event, became an Assistant Professor at UND, he obtained a bachelor’s degree with a double major in creative writing and political science.
“I have always been interested in storytelling and writing, building a literary community, and bringing writers together,” Henry said. “That has been really important throughout my career as a fiction writer, editor, and teacher.”
While this open-mic night is for UND students only, Henry, himself, has spoken at one before.
“Especially at UND, they are a great forum for writers, singer-songwriters, performers, and artists in our community to get out of their shell a little bit and share some of their creative work with a warm and supportive audience,” Henry said. “I think that does a lot to broaden the arts at UND and make other writers realize that there is a strong, vibrant, creative, and artistic community on campus.”
Any student can share their works at open-mic night by preparing a short reading, generally between three and five pages and placing their name on the sign-up sheet at the event.
“It does take a vulnerability to take that risk of putting yourself and your work out there, it is a tremendous step,” Henry said. “I think that this is why events, like the open-mic, are so important, because we, as a campus community, want to hear what folks are writing or creating.”
Besides speaking at the event, students participate in open-mic night by volunteering to assist in hosting the gathering.
“It is fun, and I am close to the action,” Casey Fuller, a student volunteer, said. “As students, I think we really get locked into our routines and completing our tasks for the semester. The open-mic is a moment to hear the big range of what is going on inside of us.”
Student’s works do not have to be limited to poems or stories; it can be anything from a skit to a song.
“Participating in something like the open-mic night teaches all of us that we are not making art alone and that we have got this fantastic community of dedicated writers, musicians, storytellers, and craftspeople on campus,” Henry said. “I think it is an important reminder that your major or degree program does not necessarily determine whether or not you are a writer.”
UND’s English department arranges two open-mic nights a semester. This being the first, students will have another opportunity this fall to participate in an open-mic night on October 28 at the Archives Coffee House.
“I hope that people enjoy themselves and want to come to our other writing events on campus,” Henry said. “I also hope that seeing folks read and share their work, listening to the images, details, music, and rhythm of a poem or story, feel inspired to do some writing of their own.”
Dylan Campbell is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
