The words “at capacity” were repeated at Kreativity’s open mic Friday as attendees tried to squeeze into a small theater at The Clarice.

The large turnout was a testament to the amount of enthusiasm that was expressed for the performers, those who are part of the troupe and others who wanted a chance to be on stage.

The Kreativity Diversity Troupe was established in 1995. The members, who are called “Kreators,” write, direct, produce, perform and stage their own work.

Whitney Geohagan, a sophomore communication and theater double major and member of the group, said the organization allows for individuals from all walks of life to express themselves.

“[Kreativity is] a free space for people to come up and show us their talent,” Geohagan said.

“This group was started a long time ago for a lot of the African American students here on campus because they didn’t feel as though their voices were [being]  heard. But now, it’s [a] Kreativity Diversity Troupe. It’s open for anybody and everybody.”

Geohagan hosted the open mic along with fellow member Philip Kershaw, a senior history and theater double major. She performed two spoken-word poems and is a member of The Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House.

Kershaw discussed other events Kreativity presents, like the culminating end-of-semester performance.

“[It’s] comprised of scenes that all come from a theme that we decide as a group,” Kershaw said. “This year’s theme is connection, so all of the pieces that you’ll see in December are inspired by [that].”

There were a few spoken-word pieces at the open-mic but performances were certainly not limited to poetry.  

Acts ranged from two members of the troupe performing an acoustic mashup of Fetty Wap, to a singer belting “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. Each act was well-received with vigorous applause.

Kershaw said he enjoyed watching a lot of the performances, but especially liked the poems read aloud by his co-host, Geohagan.

Geohagan wrote the second poem she presented titled, “Color Cards,” a piece regarding her little brother growing up in a world of police violence.

“I was told to involve a social issue and someone you’re related to,” she said.

The opening of the piece highlighted positive wishes Geohagan desired for her brother’s upbringing:

I want my baby brother to graduate kindergarten. I want him to be able to spell big words like ‘civil rights,’ or ‘arrested.’

The crowd sat silently, mesmerized by the powerful and reassuring voice that carried throughout the theater, in wake of recent instances of police brutality against black men.

Carolyn Worden, a sophomore English major and member of the Kreativity troupe said Geohagan’s act specifically spoke to her.

“You just don’t realize what other groups of people are going through,” she said. “That was really eye-opening to me.”

Featured Photo Credit: Courtesy of Creative Commons. 

Alex Carolan is a sophomore journalism major and can be reached at aaalex.carolan@gmail.com.