Open Mic Comedy

[amused]

I've often thought about trying to do a short session at an open mic comedy club. Last night there was a meetup at RFD on 7th Street in downtown DC. The back room is usually a sports bar, but every Thursday night they have open mic standup comedy. I think you're only allowed about 5 minutes, and they are booked for the next 10 weeks. There were about two dozen people getting their moment on the stage. The quality was variable, but I think I can hold my own, so I signed up.

[Audley Strange]

Wow. Jesus. Best of luck with that, you have my admiration for even trying. Make sure you have a LOT of material.

[amused]

Well, that's what's good about this, you only get about 5 minutes because there are so many. I'm going to combine some of my Toastmasters speech stuff into a package. Most of them do gross sex stuff, and woe is me my life sucks stuff. I have a different direction, so we'll see how it works.

[Audley Strange]

5 minutes is a long time to die on your arse if the audience are not buying your thing which is why I'd suggest at least two other safety nets. Honestly though, I wish you all the best and hope it's fun for you.

[amused]

People were pulling out sheets of paper with their notes, so the crowd is pretty forgiving. And... the rule of the club for the audience is: Shut The Fuck Up

[tattuchu]

You better fucking film it so we can enjoy it here! And best of luck. Sounds fun!

[amused]

Oh man, now I'm gonna have to add a section on the gun nuts!

[Bella Fortuna]

Good luck! We NEED video!!

[amused]

Last night there was a young guy in green tights that did some sort of performance art. He ran around the room (wireless mic) and squirmed around on the floor most of the time while yelling incomprehensible phrases. At the end he had a big cardboard flower made of images of his own face that he wore with his face in the middle. All the cellphones came out to record it. The comedy host spent the whole act with his face down in his hands. Afterward, the guy explained that he's a graphic artist looking for work and could anybody recommend him. It might work...

[Bella Fortuna]

That totally needed a video too...

[amused]

It might end up on YouTube someday. I was too surprised to think about shooting any video.

[amused]

Audley - If you have a fear of public speaking, then I highly recommend joining Toastmasters. It's a very supportive and safe way to get in front of a group of people and get over the fear of public speaking. I struggled through my first few speeches and then finally found my voice. I look forward to doing it now, when before my heart would race and that sense of panic would grow.

I also think this quote applies:

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so sure of themselves, and wiser people are full of doubts” - George Bernard Shaw

The fact is, nobody sees the mistakes that you know you did when you are on stage. Bluff it, because that's what the fools and fanatics are doing.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Break a leg, Amused! And memorise a few knock-downs for would-be hecklers - "Yeah? Well you're a twat and I hope you get cancer!" works well, so I hear...

[Audley Strange]

Audley - If you have a fear of public speaking, then I highly recommend joining Toastmasters. It's a very supportive and safe way to get in front of a group of people and get over the fear of public speaking. I struggled through my first few speeches and then finally found my voice. I look forward to doing it now, when before my heart would race and that sense of panic would grow.

I also think this quote applies:

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so sure of themselves, and wiser people are full of doubts” - George Bernard Shaw

The fact is, nobody sees the mistakes that you know you did when you are on stage. Bluff it, because that's what the fools and fanatics are doing.

Cheers Amused, I'm amused. No I don't have a fear of public speaking, quite the opposite. I was just giving advice because I tend to see a lot of stand-up and know how hard an art-form it can be. There are not many forms of art which have such a immediate demand upon the artist and such instant negative feedback. However if it's in a comfortable rather than potentially hostile environment, then all the better.

[amused]

Ah, okay. Then thank YOU for the advice!