Review of a New Interdisciplinary Open Mic

Written by Bianca Chen

On Sept. 24, the Interdisciplinary Arts Department opened the doors of the first Open Mic in the 2025-2026 school year, their signature event. This Open Mic especially was an attempt to bring more art forms and cross-discipline collaboration into future collaboration opportunities for students.

This Open Mic was particularly unique. It opened with a 30-minute visual art viewing, where artwork and photography created by the Interdisciplinary Arts students hung gallery-style. There was even an interactive public art piece where Alena Tokavera, an Interdisciplinary Arts junior, had cut-outs that the audience could piece together. 

The exhibit also featured animation, film, projections of composition scores, original songs written by Musical Theatre majors, karaoke, and poetry that was performed. Attenders were able to explore art forms other than their own, and embraced the creative atmosphere. 

The audience started streaming into Studio 2 of Stone Basement at 7:00 p.m., immersing themselves in the gallery of the visual art and photography slideshow prior to the live performances. This was something that had never been done before, and the audience and performers bonded in the ambient purple lighting illuminated on the studio walls. 

The show was co-hosted by Interdisciplinary Arts Major senior Caleigh Posavac and sophomore Dave Thompson. Caleigh painted her face blue for Spirit Week, which surprised the audience, though they responded with kind laughter that brightened up the room. 

When asked about her experience after the show, Caleigh said, “With the variety of different art forms, I feel energized. There’s a new life to it.” 

Caleigh believed that the visual art and film viewing “made the space feel more complete,” and loved co-hosting the event. 

The performance was also well-received by the audience, the cheers and applause from the ever-supportive audience of the Open Mic community was sustained throughout each act. In the future, the Interdisciplinary Arts Department wishes to continue encouraging all majors to participate. It was truly a multidisciplinary experience.