strugglingcomedienne

[strugglingcomedienne]

From the Beginning

I don't remember the first time I performed. I just always have. Church choir, school plays, high school musicals, college, community. But one day, I went with some friends to an open mic and I thought, I want to do that. It took about a year to work up the nerve. I didn't take serious comedy classes. I have nothing against them, but I was confident in my transferable experience. I understood how to connect, I understood comedic timing. When I got the laughter and the applause, it was a familiar feeling. And a welcome one.

I didn't do well every time but I always had them. It would be over a year before my first real bomb. I was devastated. What went wrong? Sure, it wasn't my usual club with my friends and supportive regulars, but I'm supposed to be able to connect to anyone. In the past, even when I lost the crowd, there was always a way to get them back. Not this time.

But I did know where I had gone wrong. I wasn't that great at crowd work at the time. It's still my weakness but I'm much better at it now. But I did make an assumption about some members of the audience. A group of Ivy League Frat brothers had come in. They looked and smelled like more money than I've ever had. They had fun with every other (male) comic, but not me. I have to stress, it was not their fault. I put the space between us. I assumed that they would look down on me. And in turn, I looked down on them. I don't know if they did or not. My assumption had made me dislike them even though they hadn't said or done anything to me before our moments. I don't even remember the jokes I told. I just remember the silence. I used up all of my time, too. So, I can say that I will suffer the full suffer.

And I learned, despite the old saying, when you assume, you make and "ass" out of "u."

[strugglingcomedienne]

Hi,

I haven't thought of what to call myself here, if anything. The stories that I post are mine and completely true. Except for the ones that I've embellished for dramatic effect. And the ones that I've made up completely. I simply wish to share my stories as an entertainer. I hope that after I get this going for awhile, other comediennes or performing artists will share their stories with me as well. Specifically ladies and theydies. Why? Cause I'm rooting for you. I'm rooting for everyone, but there's a hierarchy.

I'm a so-called middle-aged comedienne. Single and child free. I've been at it for about six# years so far. It's been fun and challenging. I have a day job, which I will not be talking about for privacy.

Making people laugh is a challenge. But what happens off-stage? Well, that's where the drama is, right? I don't want it, but it exists. In the past, I've tried hard to be liked but I've found myself making a few enemies lately. But that's what happens when you demand that you and yours be treated respectfully.

I'll eventually get to all of that.

For now, I guess I should start at the beginning.