open mic performer
Stage-time hopeful newcomer
An open mic performer is someone who takes the stage at an open mic night—a venue event where amateur or aspiring artists can perform without prior booking.
The term usually applies to comedians, musicians, or poets testing material or gaining experience: She started as an open mic performer before landing paid gigs.
The label can carry a whiff of amateurism when applied dismissively.
- standupSolo comedic performance
- comedianProfessional humor performer
- comedy clubLive humor venue
- hecklerOne who taunts performers
- stageRaised performance platform
spotlight · five minutes · amateur · first time · sign up sheet · crowd · nervous · stage fright · jokes · bombing · killing it · laughter · poetry · slam · coffeehouse · late night · set · improv
- amateursamateur, hobbyist, nonprofessional, dabbler, novice
- amateur musiciansbedroom producer, garage band member, weekend warrior, busker, karaoke singer
- artistsPablo Picasso, painter, artist, illustrators, Leonardo da Vinci
- poetspoet, Homer, Dante, Milton, Emily Dickinson
- casual playerscasual player, hobbyist, weekend warrior, dabbler, weekend golfer
- indie musicianssinger-songwriter, bedroom producer, garage band
open mic performerheadliner
Top-billed performer
Grammy winner · headline act · star · main attraction · seasoned pro
open, performer, opened, opening, opener, openness, openly, openings, openers