Every Thursday, the stage area in Building 8 is home to the Open Mic event.
Denny Wilson, operations coordinator in the Student Leadership Development Office, along with aspiring singer and first year Music major Courtnay Freeland, facilitate Open Mic — an event that both Wilson and Freeland want to be defined for the creativity and expression it contributes to Sinclair Community College.
Open Mic gives aspiring students, staff and faculty an outlet to sing, dance, read poetry and express themselves freely and creatively, while exposing talent to others.
“College life is a limited experience you want to take advantage of and Open Mic does this,” Wilson said.
Wilson founded Open Mic last winter with hopes of being a catalyst to creativity.
“[It’s] a chance for social interaction that students could benefit from,” he said.
Wilson, a Dayton native and professional musician, has spent his time at events similar to Open Mic playing guitar, singing and performing with bands.
He said making new friends and showing off his creativity with others who shared the same interests was what he liked the most.
Courtnay Freeland, who also works with Wilson in the Student Leadership Development Office, is not a stranger to Open Mic either.
She currently operates Open Mic on a full-time basis, which was passed on to her by Wilson.
In addition to operating the event, she also promotes and creates posters for the event and performs weekly.
As an aspiring singer, she knows Open Mic is about creativity and expression, but also performing talents in front of others.
“It’s an opportunity to get weekly experience at performing what you love,” she said.
Wilson said not many people know about Building 8, so it’s hard to promote Open Mic. It’s an obstacle Wilson and Freeland want to change.
Open Mic is held every Thursday between noon and 4 p.m. in the stage area of Building 8. It is free to attend and perform. Students and faculty may sign up before the event on Thursday, or a few days prior in Building 8, Room 025.
Wilson and Freeland want students to attend Open Mic, even if they are not performing just to experience the possibility of expression and creativity.
“Success is how many people show up and do it… Getting a chance to put your work out there, now that’s compelling,” Wilson said.