Mizzou Poets Society Hosts Monthly Open Mic for Student Expression

Since its inception in 2022, the club has provided opportunities for students to express themselves. Junior Alex Tyrrell, who serves as the treasurer and event planner, noted that the club also organizes weekly meetings for students to write on specific themes and workshop their poetry.

Tyrrell emphasized the importance of performance skills, stating, “The workshops that we do are very good, but I also think that you need a space to be able to perform poetry because that’s a very different skill than writing poetry.”

The most recent Open Mic Night, held on October 7, showcased a variety of poetic styles, from deeply personal works to comedic pieces. Junior Sydney Brame, the club's vice president, highlighted the event as a welcoming space for students to share their experiences.

“The purpose of the Poetry Club is to make people comfortable with themselves,” Brame said. “It’s to let them be honest with the things that they are experiencing and the things going on in their lives.”

Recognizing the challenges of sharing personal stories, Tyrrell aims to create a supportive atmosphere. “I like to make a little bit of a fool of myself in front of people so that everybody else realizes it’s okay if you stumble on something, or if you’re a little too enthusiastic, or whatever the case is,” he explained.

As the event director, Tyrrell also seeks to connect the poetry club with the broader Columbia community through initiatives like Open Mic Night, inviting community members and organizations to engage with the club.

“One of my goals for the poetry club is to really connect us to the community and to be a part of Columbia, not just of Mizzou,” he said, encouraging anyone interested in the club to reach out for collaborations.

The next Open Mic Night is scheduled for November 4 at 7 p.m.