One Step Forward: Making Headway In Stand Up Comedy

I went up on stage for the third open-mic of my life last night at Bender’s Tavern in Denver.  I prepared some new jokes and when it was finally time for me to get up, I got a little flustered.

It has taken an incredible amount of energy for me to overcome my fear of the stage and also prepare quality material.  On stage, my thoughts were going one hundred miles an hour and I couldn’t seem to focus.  I thought that I completely miffed my set and I felt a little defeated.  It seemed like the old saying was coming true, it’s one step forward two steps back.

Luckily, my older brother, Sean, was with me for support and offered me some encouraging advice.  He reminded me that this is the beginning of the slow process and I’m just learning.  As nervous as I felt and as bad as I thought I performed, I actually accomplished something.  I overcame my fears, yet again, and took action.

One step forward, two steps back

Sean acknowledged that even though I could use a little work, I am getting better.  Preparing myself to get on stage and soaking in the experience will allow me to learn what it takes to become a successful comedian.

For the last few months, I have been daunted by the prospect of fulfilling my dream.  I thought my fears would disappear after my first attempt but that was naive.  I’m still a little scared but I am striving to get better.  Every time I perform, it gets easier and I improve.  The old saying is wrong; it’s not one step forward, two back.  It’s two steps forward, and one back.  So long as my progress steadily continues forward, I am sure to succeed.

Here’s a video of my performance last night.  I could stand to talk a little louder, have more confidence in my material and use the stage better.  My jokes were considerably better than the folks ahead of me, it’s just no one could hear them.  Next time.