Believe it or dismiss it, there is no escape from the inevitability of our current predicament. Despite all of our improvements in technology and society, no matter how far we may advance our Virtual Reality devices, memes as we know them will always be confined to the second dimension. At least, that was what I thought before attending Writer’s Studio– a revelation-inducing experience that broke the third wall of dank memery.
Writer’s Studio is an open-mic event hosted yearly by the MHS Writing Center and is open to any student who wishes to listen or perform. There, students (and some staff as well, like Mrs. Hitchcock and Mrs. Shea) are able to read aloud any string of words they desire, whether that be reciting an excerpt from Yasunari Kawabata’s Thousand Cranes, spitting flame to Eminem’s “Rap God,” or quoting their favorite fact from the Contemporary US History textbook (which to my disappointment, no one did).
This year, Connor Erb ‘17 was the rock star M.C. of the event, masterfully directing the ceremonies as any true Master of Ceremonies would. Due to the efforts of Connor and many others, the Black Box was transformed from an empty cube of space into a stunning auditorium, complete with a glowing podium centered against a dark background.
It is through this medium that memes transcend from the visual to the auditory realm, where the Pepes and Dat Bois are traded for the spoken memes of Monty Python, Star Wars, and Dan Quayle.
Of course, Writer’s Studio is not a pure memefest (such as Winter Running Club), but includes many serious and heartfelt performances of poetry and prose.
One of my personal favorites was a poem written by a student about our school custodian, Dawayne– a sincere thank you for his work taking care of the school.
Some of the most powerful performances were poems written by the students themselves, and discussed themes such as personal loss and dealing with the hardships of life during high school. As a venue for such writing, Writer’s Studio can be a unique environment for students to express their true thoughts and feelings, especially for those who may otherwise be shy to share them. Speaking up at the podium may seem daunting, but it can be extremely rewarding to express yourself in front of your peers.
Come out, give it a try, and share– whether that be personal memory or dank memery. Humor or seriousness, what matters at Writer’s Studio is sincerity and expression.