Freshmen showcase talent at second annual open-mic night

On Thursday evening, members of the freshman class participated in the annual freshman open-mic night.

The open-mic night featured a variety of performances including comedy routines and musical acts.

“We’re really trying to create a way for freshman to relax and have some downtime,” freshman Brandon Kiefer said. “I think a lot of us have really good talents, so this is just a way for us to enjoy that and celebrate it.”

After spring break, Kiefer organized the entire open-mic night.

“We want to use this as a way to get people involved and to enjoy it,” Kiefer said. “But our bigger event is going to happen later, when we have our freshman banquet. And that’s happening later in the semester, on April 6.”

Kendall Mayes, the freshman counselor, said he was excited for the open-mic night.

“We did this last year and it was a huge hit,” Mayes said. “We had everything from song performances and duets to joke telling and improv. Basically anything people wanted to do.”

According to Mayes, last year’s open-mic night was met with great enthusiasm from the previous freshman class.

“A lot of people really liked it last year,” Mayes said. “So we’re doing it again this year, and we expect the same thing.”

Freshman Andrew Vines preformed an improvisation routine during the second half of the show.

“I got talked into it,” Vines said. “I felt compelled to perform tonight, but I think it went really well though. I think I heard some people laughing.”

Vines said that he enjoyed watching others perform just as much as he enjoyed performing himself.

“I think it’s really good,” Vines said. “It’s really cool that anyone can come up and perform.”

Sophomore Geoff Landrum sang and played guitar during last year’s open-mic night.

“I loved it,” Landrum said. “I’m terrible at performing, so it was nerve wracking, but everyone said I killed it, so it was fun.”

Landrum said that the open-mic night was a good way for freshman to open up.

“I think it does bring them out of their shells more,” Landrum said. “They feel like they’re more capable of approaching people after doing something that’s potentially this embarrassing in front of so many people.”

Landrum said that the experience was a good way for freshman to end of the semester.

“Especially after spring break when everyone is so tired,” Landrum said. “This kind of brings back the sense that school can actually be fun.”