Chapter 1: The Allure of Open Mic Poetry Nights

In my quest to promote local events through my Instagram page, I stumbled upon a post about an upcoming open mic poetry night. This discovery struck a chord within me, igniting a blend of excitement and apprehension.

Sharing my poetry has been liberating, allowing me to connect deeply with others and experience a heightened sense of vitality. However, the thought of performing it aloud has always been daunting. Despite my love for writing, stepping onto a stage feels like an insurmountable challenge.

My struggle with severe social anxiety and stage fright has been a constant in my life. Throughout high school and college, I relied on medication to help calm my nerves before presentations, yet it never seemed to alleviate the overwhelming fear. I often found myself drenched in sweat, anxiously awaiting my turn to speak, only to ultimately freeze up.

A particularly disheartening moment occurred during my sophomore year of college when I received a D in my film class after walking out just moments before presenting my final project. I had been performing well with an A in the class, but the anxiety surrounding that presentation led to my downfall. For me, public speaking is not simply a skill to be honed; it's an adversary.

Today, however, I took a step I never expected—I copied the link to the open mic poetry night and sent it to myself via email, preparing for a possibility I once deemed unthinkable. I began to daydream about which of my published (and copyrighted) poems might resonate with the audience. I found myself narrowing my choices down to two favorites and anxiously checking my schedule, hoping to find a prior engagement that would allow me to avoid attending.

Perhaps I’ll just watch this time. Or maybe I'll summon the courage to go. If I miss this opportunity, there’s always next month—or perhaps another chance when I’m older.

Have you ever participated in an open mic night? Have you taken the plunge and performed your work at a public event? I'm eager to hear about the experiences of fellow writers.

Thank you for reading! You can explore more of my writing here.

Chapter 2: The Reality of Open Mic Nights

In this video, the Radnor High School Open Mic Night from 2017 showcases various performances, revealing the power of spoken word and community engagement.

This video offers helpful tips for beginners on how to excel at open mic nights, providing insights on preparation and overcoming stage fright.