To bring the community together and support local artists, Telford resident Jack O’Leary runs the Open Mic Nights at Broad Theater every second Thursday of the month from 7-10 pm.
According to O’Leary, he was first approached by the former Broad Theater manager to host an open mic night in October of 2022.
“It took a little bit of time,” O’Leary said, “but it took off.”
Current Broad Theater General Manager Steven Wicher said that the Open Mic Nights started about six months after the opening of the theater “as a way to showcase local talent, and as a way to bring people into our new business.”
Wicher said that he has continued to host this event as manager because of how it helps all kinds of people in the community.
“We get to help young and older talented musicians who perform without any costs associated, and they just come in and have fun and showcase the community,” Wicher said.
According to O’Leary, this event provides a supportive space for artists who may not want to perform for a whole night.
“They come out and they do their three, four songs, and they hang out and listen to everybody else,” O’Leary said.
Telford resident Jamie Davidson, who participates in Open Mic Night, said that the people involved in the event keep him coming back every month.
“I think there’s a camaraderie among the other musicians and stuff, and it’s just nice to be able to see the familiar faces and catch up with people,” Davidson said.
O’Leary said that this supportive environment is something that he wants to see continue to grow at the Open Mic Nights.
“It’s cool to see that people come back month after month,” O’Leary said, “That they’re enjoying it that much.”
Wicher also said he enjoys seeing these connections form between the performers, as well as with the Broad Theater staff.
“They get to know each other, and they get to know us because they keep coming back, so that’s nice,” Wicher said.
Broad Theater employee Adriana Kingsbury said she has noticed how the event attracts customers. “I’ve had people come up and ask me who runs the whole thing, or how can they sign up,” Kingsbury said.
For Davidson, the cultural aspect Open Mic Night brings to the community is also important.
“I think it benefits the community because art and culture are a necessity to being a complete human being,” Davidson said.
“So it’s important to embrace that cultural experience and have that open to the community.”
Davidson said having an audience come out to appreciate the performance is important to him as well.
O’Leary said audience members are also very supportive of the artists who perform.
“I haven’t had a heckler yet” O’Leary said.