Photo by Katherine Rountree
Ampersand hosted SCAD’s Black Student Association quarterly open mic poetry and music night this Friday. The performances ranged in their duration, subject matter and style, but the common thread among all was a depth of feeling and passion.
“Everyone was so supportive and open to what I had to say,” said third-year performing arts student Elisha Frazer from Winchester, Virginia. “I love sharing my work with people that connect with it. Something about that energy exchange really makes opening up worth it.”
Frazer shared a poem entitled “Temperamental Tick Tock,” a piece about remembering and dealing with past wounds. Other poems recalled abuse, broken relationships and hurting hearts. Julian Rutledge, the president of the BSA, shared a letter that he wrote to a future daughter.
“I was very inspired by everyone that put themselves out there to preform whatever they had, poetry music and stories,” said Hayley Barry, a second-year advertising major from Ashburnham, Massachusetts. “I’ll definitely go to the next ones!”
The audience was supportive with snaps and claps as they encouraged each artist to take the mic. Coupled with the warm environment, they created a safe atmosphere for students to share their work.
“The audience felt like family,” said Frazer. “I was in a room with familiar and fresh faces, a safe place where I could speak my truth. I would totally do it again!”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Elisha Frazer was originally quoted under her stage name, Elisha Nain. Her hometown was corrected to Winchester, Virginia.