Open Mic Round Table

If you’ve been paying attention to the local music scene, you know that open mics are popping up all over the tristate area. Maybe it’s a post pandemic thing, but opportunities for musicians, poets, comedians, and performance artists to casually entertain an audience in these venues are becoming quite popular. Open mics are typically housed in friendly environments. Be it a bar, a coffee house, or a restaurant, the chosen establishment works together with the management of the open mic event to welcome performers of different genres, ages, and talent levels, who take turns at the mic.

The range of performers scales from amateur to the more seasoned entertainer, and their reasons for grabbing their 10 minutes of fame are just as varied as the talent they sport.

We wanted to hear what makes an open mic tick and spoke with a diverse group, who all have different reasons for being involved in the open mic phenomenon. Sisters Kristin and Katlyn Albrecht are the founders, organizers, and hosts of the Time’s Right Open Mic, in Milford, PA; Robert Tellefsen is an accomplished professional guitarist who likes to participate in open mics; Veronica Coyne is a former open mic host and also an adjunct professor at Sussex County Community College, where she teaches effective public speaking; and Jerry Reganess is a photographer and talent marketer.

What prompts someone to get up and share with an audience?

Jerry Reganess: The motivation is varied: could be a genuine desire to share one’s gifts with a live audience, or maybe it’s a prompt to perform by friends or family. Many are looking to find a welcoming friendly audience in a comfortable venue and feel that open mics offer a safe chance to perform. Genuine applause and appreciation makes the next time that much easier; ten minutes of fame always feels so good and is an inspiration and validation that what you’re doing is received, welcomed, and appreciated. We all like to be loved!

Kristin Albrecht: It’s part of the organic process of being an artist and wanting to share one’s creativity. Self-expression is so important for people, especially in welcoming environments where artists come out to support one another.

Veronica Coyne: People who want to share their creative self know that they need to put themselves out there. It can be very lonely as an artist, as much of your work is done alone, and you’re not really sure how people will respond to it. Open mic offers an opportunity to share with an audience and step into a new skin as a performer.

What preparations need to be done for the show and what’s the best environment to hold an open mic?

Katlyn Albrecht: The best environment for an open mic is up for debate. We’ve found that poets, storytellers, and comedians tend to prefer the coffeehouse environment where there is a captive audience without ambient distractions. Bars and restaurants are great for people performing music but may not be the best venue for the poets, etc. Wherever the open mic is being hosted, the MC can set the stage as the main attraction and draw the audience’s attention to it.

Jerry Reganess: Community marketing to get the word out, then preparing and setting up the room with seating, warm lighting, sound equipment, making a space for guests to leave their instruments before performing, clearing aisles to move in, reviewing the sign-up sheet and balancing performers and time limitations, followed by clean up to return the venue room back to its original layout. Someone to assist the host or an open mic management team is also most helpful. Creating a theme for the show, such as “A Woodstock Tribute” or “Keep the Beat 50s Vibe,” is a fun way to give the show a good flow.

Veronica Coyne: Coffee buzz goes well with poetry! A cafe is the perfect open mic environment for writers who want to read poems or segments of a book. Make sure the rules about time limits are clear in the marketing and reinforced when the host starts the open mic. While most people are respectful, it’s important to time performers to keep it fair.

Robert Tellefsen: There needs to be a decent sound system for performers, and in a place such as a restaurant or tavern, there should be space for the attendees.

Kristin Albrecht: Preparation includes securing a venue, promoting the event, having a good sound system, and creating a welcoming environment once people arrive. Structure and guidelines are helpful to keep everyone on the same page and to give all the performers equal opportunity to get up there.

There are basic principles that performers should practice, such as don’t chew gum, keep your hands out of your pockets, make audience eye contact. Can you add any?

Jerry Reganess: This is a performer’s precious time. I suggest sharing your “gold” by upping your game. Take a public speaking/performance tutorial/primer or class, be open and seek genuine constructive criticism, feedback, and recommendations after your performance. Dress to dazzle or to complement your talent. Greet and thank your audience for listening. Try not to hide behind the mic or a music stand, as YOU are the performance.

Veronica Coyne: Use an attention getter when you first get up on stage. Opening with, “Hi, I’m ____” , is a bit stale, so try to be more creative and start with a joke, a question, or by bringing an object up there with you to catch people’s interest. Engage the audience right away. If you can make them laugh, you’ve got ’em!

Also, breath work can help ease nerves and make your voice stronger.

Katlyn Albrecht: Performers should also keep their material family friendly, especially at an open mic that is held at a venue other than a bar.

Kristin Albrecht: Say hello, introduce yourself. Audiences LOVE to get to know the performer and they love a story, so if a performer can relate something about themselves, their life, or their creative process, it creates deeper meaning, connection, and appreciation from the audience.

Robert Tellefson: Present yourself in a professional manner. You are front and center with everyone’s attention, so you have about 10 minutes to put on your best performance, whether it’s a new song, a new poem, a new comedy act, or songs that you already know. Prepare yourself prior to the open mic and practice your craft. You never know who’s in the audience.

Why would an audience attend and what impact does an open mic event have on the community at large?

Veronica Coyne: Most of the audience is comprised of fellow artists who will also be going up to the mic to share, so it becomes a supportive community. Others might attend and want to share but aren’t ready yet, so getting to know people who will encourage them is so beneficial. Some people are just curious. You are welcome, whoever you are, old, young, professional or not; the diversity of performers and audience is what makes it interesting. I think just having a place where we listen to each other has a great impact on the larger community.

Kristin Albrecht: Honestly, you never know what might come out of it. You may find someone to collaborate with; a performer may end up getting a paid gig at a local restaurant or venue. One of our performer friends even met her significant other at our open mic.

Katlyn Albrecht: I believe that everyone is an artist. So, someone might show up looking for the inspiration or the courage that they need to share their art.

Robert Tellefson: It’s an opportunity to get out and meet friends, make new friends, and be entertained by local artists and musicians.

Jerry Reganess: Always a wonderful affordable evening of fun “variety show” entertainment, a great way to connect with friends and make new ones, an opportunity to mix, mingle, and get to know others from within your community. You actually take this great experience with you when you leave....the vibe remains and is a positive influence on your mood, good memories, and a desire to return....so much more! I love open mics! This is also a valuable way for performers to meet with each other, share ideas, and collaborate on future projects.

Would you share a most memorable moment from an open mic?

Robert Tellefson: I have been very fortunate in my younger years to attend and participate in various open mics in New York City in clubs such as the Bitter End. Many times, I had to follow performers, such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, and “the elect” —a fortunate opportunity! As time went on, I performed on stage at other shows with these entertainers. I continue to support the “community open mic.” Come join me!

Kristin Albrecht: Anytime someone gets up there and says that it’s their first time performing in front of people, it’s a memorable moment for me. The audience loves to hear that and is so supportive. To see someone work through their fear and be rewarded when they’re finished is a beautiful thing.

Jerry Reganess: I attended an open mic which began the show with a twenty-minute full band “special celebrity guest” opening act, performing instrumental psychedelic reggae dub, which totally put everyone in a relaxed, good chilled mood for the evening...oh so good!

Veronica Coyne: Too many to count! I had a few opportunities to read poetry while accompanied by guitar, flute, and drums. Those impromptu infusions of poetry and music were standout moments for me. The spontaneous creativity in the room made for amazing experiences.

Also, as a host, giving aspiring performers this opportunity and supporting them was an amazing feeling. Some shares broke our hearts, some made our spirits soar. I will always remember the connections we made.