Advice on Open Mics...or Humiliation, Where Do I Sign Up?

Yesterday I did Del's showcase again, which is always a pleasure! I didn't realize that one of the audience members was actually actually a comic. I saw her on the train home (as I'm stupidly reading urban legend stories...listen the only box of books I have access to right now are the deadhead ones, okay?) and we talked really briefly about the show and careers. She asked me what mics I usually check out. And...I didn't really have an answer.

She then asked if I do mics or if I graduated up to showcases now. I have largely stopped doing open mics with the same fervor than I did a year ago and it's weird to think that I somehow graduated "up" from open mics; I guess the change was so subtle it flew past my head. I'm certainly not saying that I'm "bankable" or even that I'm too good for open mics, but I've been slowly phasing open mics out of my life.

Frankly I don't even know which open mics I do on the regs anymore. I've tried numerous times to create a list and I can't get it together. Why? - because all open mics are different. I could say that this place is great and this place blows and blah blah blah but what works for me doesn't work for Comic X.

In all honesty, you grow as a comic by checking out as many varieties of clubs/venues as possible. And each mic hones a different skill set. You can go to alt-mics to hone your persona, or strictly comic rooms to work on your writing. There are mics that you use to increase your confidence, mics you do because you need to be taken down a couple of pegs and mics you go to only to network (make sure you bring your A game). I've done mics in three different bouroughs, mics that were mostly music, mics that were all poetry, mics with a slant in ethnicity or gender and everything in between. And the variety really helped me to learn how to connect with an audience and use my wording efficiently.

So my advice is to go to as many different kinds of mics as you can, and if possible, NEVER go to mics where you know everybody there. Familiarity breed contempt (as well as lazy writing). Build up a core group of friends/collaborators and go to different mics but be realistic about your friends' laughs. Are they "Hey I'm your pal" laughs or genuine guffaws? Whenever you get to an open mic, have an idea of what aspect of your performance you will be working on today. At first, you should be going to get a feel of the stage but once you feel comfortable, establish a goal for your next mic. Say to yourself: "I have to work on riffing or learning how to get rid of my verbal tics or learning how to bomb gracefully" (yes, you can use open mics to do that). Especially in New York City, open mics run expensive and it's your money! Get something tangible out of your experience.

If you do want a list, on the right sidebar check out Slava Yaryshkin and Gigglechick; they have great listings.

I hope this helps! Cheers!

What Have I Done?

...I just accidentally booked myself on 4 open mics/reg shows is what I've done. Mercifully two of them are a couple blocks away from each other, but the other two of them is way over on the East Side and another is so far uptown I'll get a nose bleed.

Will I do all of them?--Well, I'll try my damnedest!

Will the hosts will be pissed?--MOST LIKELY! I don't want to be "that guy": the guy who breezes into a room, puts on airs, does 5 super-rehearsed minutes (and subsequently pretends that he "just came up with that material on the train ride over"), then leaves with a corny wink and a gun. It's annoying to be that guy. I've seen "that guy" at my show. I HATE THAT GUY!

Okay I know I should just cancel a show and trim the fat but I really want to see if I can do it, if I'll feel that rush of "Wow, I just did my own set 4 times in front of different audiences." A while ago, when I was first flirting with the idea of doing comedy, I remember watching a documentary on mid-level comics. I watched this one comic (I can't remember his name but I know he has a Comedy Central Presents credit) do four paid gigs in one night. And I marveled at the fact that he could actually go through the motions of his bit, and not feel bored or suicidal.

I don't even care if I bomb all of them, I just want to see if I have the stamina. In fairness, I have done 3 open mics in a night before, but usually I've done them to 3 disgruntled comics or I'll just kind of give up by the last one. This time I'm going to do it! Wish me luck.

Also...remind me to write about the Naked Comedy Show. I don't think I ever described it--and I think I might do it again. "Naked Comedy?" you ask, face screwed up like Scooby-Doos. Yes, completely NAKED COMEDY. More to come...

P.S. - I'm watching this comedy showcase on TV and this one comic looks like Dr. Robotnik. Seriously, I expected him to leave the stage in an egg-shaped vehicle. Damn, I know comedians don't have to dress nice but good Lord don't give me an eye infection!