On Sept. 15, the University Program Council and the Auburn Circle co-hosted fall semester’s Open Mic Night. For two hours, the Starbucks in Melton Student Center became a place for students from all corners of campus to showcase their artistic talents and creativity.
With the event beginning at 7 p.m., enthusiastic participants arrived well in advance to sign up for a chance to take the stage in front of their peers. Many were performing for the very first time. Soft light and the smell of coffee gave the space a welcoming feeling, and the audience was large enough that even standing room quickly filled.
“I really love this event,” said Montana Maslonka, who led the UPC team involved in organizing the event. “It’s, kind of, more of that intimate space to really get to know the different thoughts and feelings of the Auburn family.”
The event was a joint effort between both UPC and the Auburn Circle. WEGL 91.1, the Auburn University radio station, also helped by providing sound equipment for the performers to use during the Open Mic Night. The Student Center Starbucks provided drinks and snacks for all participants, in addition to allowing the use of their space for the event.
Denisen Justice, the Circle’s editor in chief, and Jules Acomb, the Circle’s managing editor, co-hosted the event. These two individuals introduced each participant, as the performer took the stage.
“It’s been pretty fun organizing this event, getting to work with UPC for this,” said Justice. “I always enjoy the opportunity to give Auburn students a chance to, like, share their voice. That’s one of our missions at the Circle.”
Many of the works performed by the students who took the stage were self-written. Poetry and music made up a majority of the performances, but stand-up comedy also made a few appearances. A comedy rendition of Carly Rae Jespen’s “Call Me Maybe” drew a great deal of laughter from the audience. Students clapped along to covers of favorite songs and were visibly moved by many of the poetry readings. The respectful silence during the performances was a sharp contrast to the cheering and applause that followed each one.
“An open mic night really seemed like a good opportunity just to test out some poetry that I’ve been writing,” said Logan Sullivan, an Auburn student who read several original poems during the event. “Getting up on stage, I’ve done a little bit of public speaking in the past, but it was definitely a new environment. It was very enjoyable. I was a little bit nervous, because it was new, but it was manageable.”
Ultimately, the event seems to have accomplished its goal of encouraging students to come together and celebrate one another’s talents and creativity. “I just really enjoyed getting to see everyone’s different tastes, different music, all forms of media coming together,” said Evie Gray, an Auburn student and member of the audience.
The night ended on a high note, with co-hosts Justice and Acomb encouraging students to submit their original works for consideration for the fall publication of the Auburn Circle. Submissions close this Friday, Sept. 19, at 11:59 p.m. They also urged students to keep their eyes on the calendar for the next Open Mic Night, which will be held sometime during the spring 2026 semester.
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