Suffolk’s Performance and Arts Council (PAC) held their monthly Open Mic Night this past Thursday, an event drenched in artistic expression, singing, dancing and appreciation for the art that lives within Suffolk’s campus.
PAC, a new arts club on campus, is on a mission to enrich Suffolk with visibility for students that are passionate about music, dancing and art.
President of PAC, senior Keira Haughey, has taken the club in her clutch, working to promote this passion and welcome new members.
“What the performance and arts council does is try to make more community arts programming on campus, whether that’s through visual or performing arts, one of those being the open mic night,” said Haughey.
The night started off with a warm welcome by PAC student members in Sawyer’s third floor lounge, decked out in a curtained stage, spotlights, snacks and music. Suffolk’s WSFR DJ’d the event in collaboration with PAC, while Suffolk’s Union of Designers, Operators and Technicians (UDOT) took to the background tech.
As students trickled in, anticipation grew heavy and performers of all years, majors and backgrounds prepared for their name to be called to the stage. MCing the event was senior Jaclyn Durant, a senior psychology major and PAC’s Performance Events Chair. Haughey and Durant worked with each other to host the event, a testament to the dedication that PAC’s members have in strengthening the success of the club.
“It has a lot of moving parts, but because I have such an amazing team behind me, it makes it super easy and fun,” said Haughey.
First to take to the stage was Suffolk student Quentin Boyd, dancing to “Is It” by Tyla. Boyd was the perfect candidate to kick off the night, hyping up the crowd and prepping the stage for the depth of talent that would soon follow.
Students danced, sang and strummed. Following Boyd, student Ruby Colwell warmed up the microphone beautifully with her rendition of “I’m The Only One” by Melissa Etheridge, an obvious crowd pleaser.
Haughey took to the stage of her event next with a performance of “Maybe This Time” from the musical and 1972 film “Cabaret” — safe to say, there is a reason Haughey is the president of PAC. Jaws have never hit the ground faster and harder.
With around fifteen performers in total, the talent was limitless. Just when you thought a performance couldn’t be matched, the next performer would blow you away just as instantaneously and powerfully.
Performers cheered each other on, being happy to be in a room filled with so much passion for performance and entertainment. Student Olivia Maaia even strummed and sang her original song “Happier,” one that danced through the air of the lounge and tugged at the hearts of the audience.
When one thinks of an open mic, there is usually a preconceived notion that singing is all there will be. When it comes to PAC, there is room for everyone and anything.
“It’s kind of like a mini variety show of sorts,” said Haughey. “It’s a platform for people to share their art and what they are passionate about. The only rule we have is that you can do anything on stage as long as it’s legal to encourage as much art as possible on campus. This is the scene to get your art out there.”
The night was a true testament to the talent that Suffolk harbors, and an important reminder of the importance of artistic expression within higher education, something that PAC has been working tirelessly to promote and welcome.
Students who are interested in participating, or simply attending PAC’s next open mic can join them in Sawyer’s third floor lounge on Thursday, Nov. 6, or any of the first Thursdays of the month. For those looking to perform, visit PAC’s instagram @pacsuffolk and check their bio for a link to the SignUpGenius.
