Open mic at InKY

Part of InKY's mission is to create a participatory and inclusive atmosphere at our shows. With few exceptions, we begin InKY with a brief open mic session from 7:00–7:30 pm.

Sign-up begins around 6:45, and we typically have room for 5 performers. You must sign up on the night of the event.

Open mic slots are 5 minutes each. Please do time your reading before you arrive to ensure it is 5 minutes or less. We won't offer a signal, but we can't allow the open mic to go longer than planned.

There is no restriction or guideline for material other than the time limit.

We do hope you'll stick around for the featured performances after the open mic — they'll be there for you!

Haven't read your work in front of an audience before? No problem! We were all first-timers once. Some things to keep in mind: slow down. Unless your piece relies on rapid-fire delivery, a slower reading is easier on the audience than a rushed one. Don't be afraid of the microphone, either. Take a second after you step on stage to get your bearings and adjust the microphone to fit your height. You can hold it or leave it on the stand, but make sure to speak into it. Get a little closer than you might think is necessary. Often readers stay back from the microphone and the result is less than audible. Most of all, relax! We're a friendly crowd.