Stand Up Comedy?

That was among the most fun things I have ever done in my entire life. So much adrenaline!!!

That's so awesome! So, when's your next set?

EastCoastMojo wrote: That's so awesome! So, when's your next set?

I'm going to take a week or so to write another few minutes, and head out to a few open mic nights. There's a competition next month that I'll probably enter. 300 bucks to the winner, so it's worth a shot.

corytate wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: I've been working on some material... I have scheduled my first "set" on Wednesday, March 20 at the Cleveland Improv... If any of the Clevelander GRMers would like to come, I'd be glad to have the support.

godspeed, young skywalker. I'm jealous of your courage. I've been obsessed with standup since I was 10 years old but can't imagine being able to go up in front of people to perform

That's me. I LOVE comedy and standup but I suck at public speaking. Those who can do it have my respect.

Is there video of Wednesday's performance?

aussiesmg wrote: Is there video of Wednesday's performance?

They are mailing me a DVD. I'll have it loaded to Youtube shortly after receiving it.

How did the crowd respond to you?

aussiesmg wrote: How did the crowd respond to you?

They laughed harder than I thought they would. I opened with self deprecation, so that is always a cheap way to get a laugh.

Maroon92 wrote:

aussiesmg wrote: How did the crowd respond to you?

They laughed harder than I thought they would. I opened with self deprecation, so that is always a cheap way to get a laugh.

nice!

Keep the thread alive and let us know when you are doing a Fri/Sat night show plz

Hats off to you, Maroon. I was in the acting biz for years and hung out with an improv group for years called the Oxymorons. I never had the nerve so I really respect those, like J.G., who get up there and bare their guts.

I would go to a club to hear Wally! -You should at least do some writing, humorous or not.

Fantastic! Glad to hear it went better than expected. Give us a shout when you've got the video up.

Hasbro wrote: Hats off to you, Maroon. I was in the acting biz for years and hung out with an improv group for years called the Oxymorons. I never had the nerve so I really respect those, like J.G., who get up there and bare their guts. I would go to a club to hear Wally! -You should at least do some writing, humorous or not.

I kinda did it the opposite way. I used to do open mic nights when I was driving around the country doing CMC events and had lots of time to think during the day and lots of time in a motorhome at night. If i could find a campground close by someplace that had an open mic, I was in.

But I quickly tired of standup, mostly because of the other comics. Many standups are miserable sacks of E36 M3. If you find a good group of supportive people, treasure them. Many are not that way.

Then I discovered improv. More precisely, I discovered that one of the greatest improv schools in the country was less than an hour from my house. The night of my first class at the SAK Theater, I met a young kid named Wayne Brady who was one semester ahead of me. after I graduated, we performed together in his last show in Orlando before moving to L.A. to seek fame and fortune. Wonder what ever happened to him...?

After doing SAK shows for a few year, and finding some people I worked well with, we formed a group over closer to Daytona, and had several years of amazing success. At one point, we had a weekly, sold-out show for over two-years running.

Everyone eventually grew up and drifted away although we still work together when we can. Recently, though, some other guys who I do improv and sketch writing with have started this standup night at a local bar. About half of us are regulars and the other half we open up to the open-mic crowd. It's an awesome night with an amazing audience.

What's the point of all of this? Be flexible. cross disciplines. All skills will help you in all conditions. Do whatever scratches your creative itch and you won't regret it.

jg

Well, here it is.

I watch it now and see many things I could have done better, but it felt really good in the moment.

Maroon92 wrote: Well, here it is. I watch it now and see many things I could have done better, but it felt really good in the moment.

Just like in-car video, eh?

I loved it that some of the folks in the audience figured out the "gym" bit before you delivered the line. IMO, that's a sign that somebody was listening.

Maroon92 wrote: Well, here it is. I watch it now and see many things I could have done better, but it felt really good in the moment.

WELL DONE. WELL DONE!!!

You're well along the way, sir. Sure, you still sound nervous (a lot of lip smacking), but the response was excellent. The material was downright strong--quite smart and not hacky at all. You weren't awkward at all and you didn't come across as if you were trying too hard.

Very glad to see how well this turned out. I didn't cringe once. Congrats on the successful leap.

BTW--this made me realize just how hard it is to come up with 5 minutes of material--and I can do a 1:20 lecture in my sleep! You have a pretty damn solid 5 minutes that needs very little tweaking.

MAYBE the setups could be a bit more dynamic--you aren't deadpan, so ramping it up here and there might be good. Maybe. That said, your delivery is very natural.

Again, congrats. I'm very happy/proud.

gamby wrote: Sure, you still sound nervous (a lot of lip smacking)

Be it nerves related or not, I was aware of my smacking... My mouth was as dry as the GD Mojave desert. I could really have done with a glass of water...

You left me hanging on the stoner island bit.

moparman76_69 wrote: You left me hanging on the stoner island bit.

I'm sorry? What sort of ending were you looking for?

I liked the idea of ending soft on that one. I could be wrong, I'm just an amateur.

Good stuff man. Each one will be easier and easier. Remember, you're the one with the mic in your hand. You have the power. Commitment is every bit as important as content.

Here's a freebie. I used this a couple times but it doesn't really fit with the rest of my material, which is a little more narrative.

"I've noticed things changing about myself as I've gotten older. Like I recently discovered that I'm lactose intolerant. It doesn't upset my stomach, I've just decided that I'm not going to take milk's E36 M3 anymore."

jg

Great job Brad!
I watched and I enjoyed. I really had considered attending in person but calendar conflicts just did not allow for it. I have a local buddy who would have joined me. He is a real stand-up buff and used to work on-air in radio. He would have come with me. We still look forward to future evenings so keep us up to date.

"I knew him back when..."

JG, I actually LOL'ed!

@JG, I also LOL'd. I might have to use that once or twice.

JohnRW1621 wrote: Great job Brad! I watched and I enjoyed. I really had considered attending in person but calendar conflicts just did not allow for it. I have a local buddy who would have joined me. He is a real stand-up buff and used to work on-air in radio. He would have come with me. We still look forward to future evenings so keep us up to date.

No worries, I'm going to try to do some more open mics in the area, maybe next month I'll hit a couple. Hopefully I'll see you guys out there!

Thanks for the kudos. Even if I never performed again, that was enough fun to last a lifetime. Really got the old ticker pumping... (Probably not the best thing, considering my health...)

Brad, that was dang funny! at no point did i say "wow, i feel bad for that guy." well, except for you being a giant lard-ass. i also expected some example of how the stoners would come out on top in a non-aggressive way. maybe they'd start a weed-for-fruit deal with the monkeys on the island or something. you double-butt having motherberkeleyer, you.

Holy E36 M3 man, that was really great! I never would have guessed that was your first gig. Good delivery, strong material, good use of the stage. Maybe throw a little more eye contact with the audience. You did great man!

Next time, no notes.