Preparing for your first open mic

Sorry you are too late, this event has been and gone!

Ready to take the stage? Join Rock the Boat for this hands-on workshop for aspiring open mic performers!

About Preparing for your first open mic

Listed Under Workshops Events / Arts and Crafts Events

Ready to take the stage? Then this workshop is for you! Rock the Boat open mic hosts Catherine Wilson Garry and Julia Sorenson are here to help you prepare.

In this hands-on workshop for aspiring open mic performers, you will build your confidence engaging with an audience and develop your delivery and physical performance. You will get advice for dealing with stage fright and nerves, along with practical tips like how to use and adjust a microphone and practise your material before an event. You will find out about places you can start performing your poems and meet fellow newbies.

We encourage you to bring a poem of your own to practise with. If you don't yet have any poems you'd like to share, we'll have some printed poems on hand for you to use.

Rock the Boat will also have a special festival edition on Sunday 26th at 6pm, so if this workshop gets you ready and raring to go, you can sign up for a slot and try out your new skills! Find out more here: Festival Closing Party with Rock the Boat & Arusa Qureshi

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!

Other Events at Summerhall or Push the Boat Out

Comedy

TBC Improv UK’s Monthly Open Improv Jam

Selected dates between 27th November 2025 - 9th April 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

TBC invites you to a monthly improv drop-in jam. It's a fun inclusive event where absolutely all are welcome, no improv experience required.

Theatre

The Elf that wasn’t Elfing

20th December 2025 - 22nd December 2025

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Come along and join the festive fun and help Trixiebelle the Elf. She's just been promoted to Santa’s Workshop! The only problem is, she can’t quite get the hang of what she is supposed to do…

Family and Kids

Vibrant Viki’s Messy Art Club

9th January 2026 - 18th December 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Vibrant Viki’s Messy Art Club is a lively, hands-on creative experience designed especially for children under five who love to explore, play, and get wonderfully messy.

Comedy

TBC Improv UK: Intro to Improv Course (101)

13th January 2026 - 3rd March 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

TBC Improv's 'Into to Improv Course' is your invitation to explore the fundamentals of improvisation in a supportive, playful environment on this 8 week course — no experience needed.

Dance

Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at Summerhall

Selected dates between 13th January 2026 - 14th July 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Come and experience Scottish dance the way its meant to be every Tuesday at the Edinburgh Ceilidh Club in Summerhall!

Comedy

TBC & Friends: A night of improvised comedy

23rd January 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Get ready for a high-octane night of improv comedy as TBC Improv UK takes the Summerhall stage for an unforgettable evening of spontaneous brilliance!

Music

Improv Workshop Intensives: Viewpoints, Music, Duoprov

31st January 2026 - 1st February 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Unlock tools for physical storytelling, musicality, and duo-based improv that deepen trust, emotion, and creative freedom in this immersive weekend intensive at Summerhall.

Theatre

Auntie Empire

8th February 2026 - 9th February 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Blending bouffon comedy, satire and audience interaction, Auntie Empire is a bloody, messy, hilarious and timely lampoon of the myths of nationhood. Catch it at Summerhall in February!

Comedy

TBC & Friends: A night of improvised comedy

20th February 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

The TBC Improv UK troupe takes to the Summerhall stage on Friday 20th February, accompanied by a special guest performance!

Comedy

TBC Improv Presents: Fresh Faces of Improv - Longform!

Selected dates between 11th March 2026 - 9th June 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Get ready for a showcase of the newest improv comedy talent in Scotland with TBC Improv UK!

Comedy

TBC Improv Presents: Fresh Faces of Improv - Shortform!

18th March 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Get ready for a night of unscripted hilarity featuring some of the most exciting new voices in Edinburgh’s improv scene!

Workshops

Guest Workshop: Solo-Prov & Being Obvious

19th April 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Learn to be present, obvious, and boldly simple as David Elms guides you through grounded improv and the joyful art of solo-prov in this workshop at Summerhall.

Workshops

Guest Masterclass: Shortform & Calvinball

13th June 2026 - 14th June 2026

Summerhall, Edinburgh South

Boost your short form skills and embrace rule-breaking creativity in Calvinball with Hayley Kellett. A weekend of joyful, fearless play.|

Similar events you might like...

Cocktail Craft Masterclass

Selected dates between 24th January 2025 - 27th December 2025

Summerhall Distillery, Edinburgh South

Join Summerhall Distillery for an immersive cocktail masterclass at their historic venue, where the art of mixology meets the science of spirits!

Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

Selected dates between 1st March 2025 - 28th December 2025

The Real Mary Kings Close, Edinburgh Old Town

Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!

Chinese Dumplings with Shuxin

Selected dates between 7th June 2025 - 21st February 2026

Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School, Leith

You have another chance! Join Shuxin at Flavour and Haver Cook School and learn how to make delicious dumplings!

Edinburgh Sound Healing Chamber

Selected dates between 5th September 2025 - 5th June 2026

Broughton St Marys Parish Church, Edinburgh New Town

Join Susaidh Soundsphere Scotland and lull your mind, body and spirit into a physically restful state with skilled weaving of gongs, crystal and Himalayan singing bowls!