The Secret Open Mic
...is here in the Hudson Valley
be the first to know where and when
Seven Minutes to do Anything. Take a Risk. Blow Our Minds. Be Safe. Be Kind. Bring It.
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THE SECRET OPEN MIC is the ultimate side-show where musicians, poets, storytellers, comedians, and performance artists of every experience level can experiment, play new songs, try out jokes, tell a story, or simply talk. Audiences who come to watch hold space for the abundant creativity and guts that hit the stage. The atmosphere in the theater is always welcoming and encouraging to every artist that steps up to the microphone for their seven minute time-slot. Anything goes (except heckling and glitter)!!
THE SECRET OPEN MIC is inspired by the infamous PENNY'S OPEN MIC which ran for six years at Under St. Marks Theatre in NYC. The tradition lives on with THE OPEN MIC DOWNSTAIRS in NYC and now THE SECRET OPEN MIC in the Hudson Valley.
UPCOMING DATES and SEE RULES BELOW
Bring Your Swag!
Cashless Swag Table & Non-Alcoholic Beverages Provided by Laura Westman Coaching
Would you like to sell your own swag at the Secret Open Mic? T-shirts, CDs, books, anything that fits on the table is fair game!
- When you arrive at the venue, come bring your swag to the table.
- Be prepared to provide your Venmo name and a price list for anything you want to sell (subject to space availability) so that folks can purchase directly from you
- Paper and pen will be provided for display, but you are free to bring your own
- Qs? Contact Laura at laura.westman@gmail.com or 919-360-8642
Rules and Other Information for Audience and Performers
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS SHOW WE HAVE VERY STRICT GUIDELINES FOR BOTH PERFORMERS AND AUDIENCE.
SEE BELOW
Age Requirement: 18+
Door Charge: $10 CASH ONLY for audience and performers.. Small bills please! No Refunds.
Strict Showtime & Sign-Up:
Doors open to PERFORMERS ONLY at 7pm.
Doors open to audience at 7:20pm.
Show begins promptly at 7:30pm at which point we close the doors.
Show typically goes from 730pm to 1030pm. We encourage all to stay until the end to hold space for the selected performers and be a part of this community.
Food & Drinks: Outside food and drinks are permitted, but we do have non-alcoholic beverages for sale in the venue.
Theme: Every show has a different theme. You can use this theme to inspire your set...or not. It's there for your inspirational pleasure.
Performing? Bring Your Swag: More info here
Limited Spots: We have 18 seven minute spots which are filled by lottery, but will take names for back-up. If the 18 performers have completed their sets with time to spare, we will absolutely bring up our back up list. Only one slot per group/performer.
Strict Time Limit of 7 Minutes:
A beeper will go off and you will be stopped. Please do not continue even if you are not "done" performing. We are very strict about time. If you go over you risk not being selected in the future. Time your sets and keep your set up simple, or it will be counted towards your 7 minutes.
This is an Anything Goes Open Mic: Please being your songs, monologues, poems, dance number, variety act, comedy, etc (no glitter, water or fire)
Technical: Boughton place is a small theatre space. You will perform on a gorgeous stage and be lit in a theatrical setting. You are welcome and encouraged to perform with no amplification. We typically have a set up of amps, mics, etc, but please email us if you plan to come to make sure this isn't the month where we don't have those things. Please bring your own cable and instruments.
Performer Sign Up Protocol:
Performers are selected by Lottery. Doors will open at 7pm for hopeful performers ONLY! Performers will write their name on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl. At 720pm, audience will be let in and the the host will pick the names randomly from the bowl to fill the spots and back up set. Performers will line up to officially sign up on a form. You can pick any slot that is available. Performers are encouraged to stay for the whole show to support their fellow artists. If you are not selected for a spot, we hope you will stay and be a part of this magical community.
Location: Boughton Place - 150 Kisor Road, Highland, NY. Once you arrive look for the door with the light! It's very "secret" lol! Seating is limited. First come first serve.
Masks: Strongly encouraged when not performing
QUESTIONS? Email info@hudsonvalleyimprov.com
The Secret Open Mic is produced by Hudson Valley Improv Live LLC
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