“Listen, and you will realize that we are not made from cells or from atoms. We are made from stories,” award-winning author Mia Couto once said. This idea was never clearer than to the people attending the CSArts Creative Writing Open Mic Night.
Cheers and applause ring through cozy bookstores as friends praise the numerous poems, short stories, and personal narratives performed throughout the evening. These events, which are held throughout the school year, allow students a chance to present their original work to their peers. Although hosted by Creative Writing, these nights are welcome to everyone free of charge.
After attending two of them, creative writing student Alison Declerk said it was a “very fun, very nurturing environment … I always enjoy my time surrounded by other amazing writers and storytellers.”
Ella Bernthal, who has read a short personal narrative at the last open mic, believes every story is a piece of its author. She thinks open mic nights give students a safe space to share their stories and through them, build connections. Mr. Gomez, creative writing director, adds to this saying, “It’s about building confidence to share your work. It’s about going out and supporting your peers, even if you don’t want to read something yourself. And it’s also often about supporting local book stores.”
Overall, open mic nights prove the potential of connections through storytelling, giving students not only a place to share their writing, but a place where their stories can be heard. The next one is coming up on Tuesday, May 23, 2026, so keep an eye out on your emails where more information will be sent in advance.
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