Signing up for open mic

Before signing up on the open mic, you must have been to at least one Speakeasy. Please use the sign up form below. You may also try your luck at the door, but it's often full.  We have a waitlist and do our best to get everyone up, but we make no promises. We recommend coming prepared, as a slot may open up at the last minute. (New performers and Ensemble members are given priority, and we try to limit repeat performers in consecutive months.)

Stephanie Garbialdi, our open mic coordinator, will be in touch with you to confirm your slot and to set up a coaching session over the phone. We expect all participants on the open mic to run-through their story with Stephanie. She's an excellent coach, so it's a great opportunity. Expect to hear from her two, maybe three weeks before the show.

Open Mic Sign Up Form

Rules and Format

• You MUST tell stories! We welcome artists from other disciplines (poets, actors, comedians, writers, etc), but your work must have a narrative structure (i.e. characters, setting, a dramatic arc) and you must speak to the audience (not distancing yourself in character). There are other many venues for these other things. It's important to us to reserve our stage for unique experience of telling stories.
• All open mic performers have a maximum of 7 minutes. A signal is given at 6 minutes and 30 seconds. That indicates that time is almost up so you should bring your story to a close. We don't like to cut people off, but we will if we have to, so please honor the time limit.
• You must incorporate the theme of the night.
• No notes. This is not a reading.
• Between open mic performances are featured tellers. These are people that wehas invited to perform. They have approximately 14 minutes to perform.

Tips on storytelling

• Practice and time yourself. Several times. You always need extra time on stage. Always. So give yourself a cushion. Time feels different when you are on stage, so don't count on being able to gauge it in the moment without practicing first.
• Have a strong beginning; know where your story is going, and a strong ending. Try not to wander.
• Speak clearly. Use the microphone. Make your movements deliberate. Don't pace.
• Consider these questions: What is the essential meaning or point of this story? Why is this story worth sharing? What is the hook – the device that will draw people into the story and make them want to hear more?
• Resist the temptation to "book-end" your story with song. Don't be fooled into thinking it enhances your story. Songs should only be used if they are actually part of the story, not accessories. (Also, not to sound too harsh, but you may want to consider whether your singing voice is truly meant for the public.)

How to be Featured

• Someone who has performed consistently well at the open mic
• Someone who is an accomplished performing artist in another discipline
• Someone with a personal or professional background that relates to the theme
• Someone with a really good story who we know can tell it well.