An Evening Underneath Prof’s Spotlight

The shining spotlight brought its way back to Prof’s Place this last Monday, despite the ongoing construction of the new development of the Clamberian Student Center. Prof’s Place opens its door back to their monthly held event “Prof’s Spotlight” which is an open mic night that gives Rowan students the chance to showcase any musical, written word, and stand-up bits of their choice to perform live! 

The night was definitely full of laughs, musical sing-alongs, and amazing poetry work from those who took the stage, while those who were a bit nervous while on stage the crowd never failed to give each performer the sense of encouragement needed to be able to perform their act to the crowd.   

To start off the night we saw the incredible, Gavin who sang a unique Belgium piece, capturing the audience in awe with how fluent he sang it throughout the duration of the song. Then thereafter, Mia Sarah took the stage with a beautifully written poem called “Boys Still Cry” which portrayed the stigma in which society teaches boys growing up “always to toughen up” and never to show emotions through the spoken word she gives the men in the audience that message that it’s okay to show vulnerability and express how you feel because that is what makes you human. 

Gavin, a fourth-year student at Rowan University performed a traditional Belgium piece. (Tatiana Retamar/Catch That Beat!)

Mia Sarah, a first-year Rowan University student showcasing her new poem “Boys Still Cry” in Profs Place, Glassboro, NJ (Photo/ Tatiana Retamar)

Prof’s Spotlight was even bought to the surprise to have Tyson, a first-year at Rowan University who performed with Craig Robinson for the RAH Comdey Show last month, perform Mona Lisa by Natalie Cole. His ranging vocals and beautiful melancholy run from what students who attended the comedy show remember were yet again graced during his performance. As quoted by a student in the audience “This kid needs a record deal stat!” the rest of the audience agreed. 

Tyson, a first-year student at Rowan University performed “Mona Lisa” by Natalie Cole. (Photo/ Tatiana Retamar)

The crowd was taken away from the performance by Max, a third-year student who also performed. Max was bought onto the stage with a ukulele to perform two sets of songs, the first being Tourist by Jon Cozart and the second one being his own written piece – but I was not able to catch the title of it yet many were so captivated by the set tone surrounding his performance. His choice of play almost resembles the sound of Rex Orange County, with the vocals of Bon Iver. 

Max, third year at Rowan University performs “Tourist Circle” By Jon Cozart. (Photo/ Tatiana Retamar)

Rowan Students Marcus Williams, Adrian Burgess, and Mike Duran, as well as other students within the audience, are shown waving their flashlights from their phones in support of Max. (Photo/ Tatiana Retamar)

The last performance was from Alexander, a guest visiting Rowan University with a current student who attends. He empathizes with himself as being a strong mental health advocate by promoting the need to be proactive and taking care of one’s own wellness.

But the performance soon went downhill, when he introduce his act to be of poetry with the title being “I Love Eating Ass”

Here is a brief video of half of Alexander’s performance later being cut:

Alexander, a performer at Rowan University’s “Prof’s Spotlight” recited his poem I Love Eating Ass” before shortly getting his microphone cut off by RAH employees. (Video/ Tatiana Retamar)

Within my own experience of attending each Prof’s Spotlight, from seeing those perform their secret talents to those building their own going representation at each open mic night – but it would always be the audience who always never fails to show that spark of support and inclusiveness to their peers. Don’t forget to catch the next Prof’s Spotlight on November 7th, 2022 at 9:00 pm located in Prof’s Place at Rowan’s University Chamberlain Student Center.