Imagine it’s the season finale of Comedy Central’s Stand-Up or American Idol, but, instead of strangers from around the country, the performers are fellow Chapel Hill High School students.
While the stakes were not as high, the school’s comedians and singers took to the stage of Hanes Auditorium on Wednesdays in January to perform live in front of their peers and teachers.
The performances, met with enthusiasm from teachers and students alike, stemmed from the work of two members of the Drama Club, juniors Helen Erikson and Jake Genderson, who had long wanted to host Open Mic sessions at the school.
“Helen and I were the ones who made the fliers and organized everything,” Genderson said.
Erikson and Genderson posted the first fliers for the event all over campus in early January, hoping to attract different talents.
Erikson, who also participates in theater and tech theater classes, helped set up music, lights and microphones every Wednesday before the performances.
Both Erikson and Genderson plan on expanding the lunchtime performances in the future and are “considering doing a drag show,” Erickson said. “We have done lip sync battles for the past few years.”
The event began around 12:30 and wrapped up around 1:10 each week, with around 15-20 audience members in attendance. The audience typically trickled in and out of Hanes for the entirety of the lunch period.
All talent was welcome, but the majority of the performances included singing and stand-up comedy.
The first person to perform was senior Hadley Connell, who performed a song she wrote and played guitar to support her friends who organized the event.
“I wanted to support my friends who organized it, and it’s a really fun opportunity to perform in front of a live audience,” Connell said. “It was a great way for anyone, even if they’re not a theater or C-building kid, to just come out and do something.”
Science teacher Nicolas Lenk decided to go on stage to tell dad jokes.
Lenk recalled the ambiance of the theater and gave credit to Genderson for creating a positive and safe environment for all performers.
“[Genderson] did a great job hosting, and he did a really good job setting the aura of the room,” Lenk said.
After performing “I Could be Jewish for you,” by Nikko Benson, junior Angel Koshy was ecstatic as she walked down the auditorium steps. After catching her breath, Koshy expressed her appreciation for the Open Mic events.
“I enjoy singing and sometimes this school can be competitive in the arts programs, so it’s nice [to have a place to perform],” Koshy said.
Erikson and Genderson plan on continuing the event in the future with the support of the Drama Club and future participants.
