Quinnipiac, Ep. 4

October 22, 2015 — For our annual drop-in at Quinnipiac University, a brilliant early-evening of lit, comedy and wit transpired — in celebration of Quinnipiac's literary magazine Montage — that saw Clare E. Michalek outduel co-finalist Alan Johnson by the narrowest of scores to win her the LDM Quinnipiac, Ep. 4 crown. 

But before the finale was even a thought, the night kicked off with a brilliant battle between Emma Griffiths and Johnson, who both wowed with fantastic writing before the mic was turned over to the trio of star judges: Julia Pistell, director of Writing Programs at Twain House, founder of Syllable Series; Bethany Van Delft, comedian (Comedy Central), MOTH StorySlam host, former model; and Al Park, stand-up comedian and winner of the 2014 Boston and Cleveland Comedy Festivals. The three quipped and commented before making the hard choice, and selecting Johnson to advance as the night's first finalist. 

In Round 2 it was Amanda Damone v. Michalek in a startling challenge of comedy vs. seriousness. After both finished, the judges again were center stage, applauding both writers before once again making an impossible decision, naming Michalek the night's second finalist. 

Then up stepped Hosted by LDM creator Adrian Todd Zuniga who announced the night's finale: Literary Spelling Bee III, in which Johnson and Michalek — and their audience-picked counterparts — were tasked with spelling more and more complicated author names. With everything to play for, it was Michalek who nailed the final letters, winning her the LDM Quinnipiac, Ep. 4 finale, and literary immortality to go with it.