Just got my first stand-up gig!! A little nervous - any advice?
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M$7 Answers
I know your question is directed more towards curbing your nervousness, but I feel that having confidence in your material and delivery style will overpower the nerves. So, here are some tips solely based on my responses to stand-up:
- Make it Personal - this is especially important if you are going to make fun of other people. You have to be able to make fun of yourself and find humor in your behavior.
- Keep it Short and Sweet - It takes great effort and skill to keep an audience captivated in a long story. Until you have mastered it, keep your jokes short.
- Don't Act Like a Goofball - Being crazy and farting on stage was barely funny in the 4th grade.
- Know and React to the Audience - Do some homework of the area you are visiting. What are their political views, religious beliefs, eating habits? Also, if you notice the audience laughing more at certain jokes, try and lean towards that subject material. There is nothing worse than a comedian who knows the audience isn't responding, but sticks to their gameplan of more bad jokes.
- Speak Clearly - If you need to speak slowly to be heard, do it. Make sure you are enunciating properly. You could be telling the best joke in the world, but if the audience thinks you said "chicken" instead of "sister," you could be missing an opportunity for a laugh.
- Use Props Appropriately - If you are going to incorporate props into your act, do it with class. I hate it when a comedian is fidgeting with their hands in their pockets, with the mic stand or something else. It distracts my attention from what they're saying.
I hope these tips help and good luck
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Also recognize that, everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time...
Professional magician
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M$
The waiting is much worse than actually doing it!
Although it always happens that way, I always forget that it happens like that too. :)
Also remember that if you aren't nervous, you probably don't care enough, so a little nervousness is a good thing! Remember it's not unusual to be nervous and there's nothing wrong with it!
If you are prepped enough by that stage, maybe when you catch yourself fretting just relax and listen to the guy who's on ahead of you and enjoy his act. Inevtiably you'll swing in and out of fretting and consciously chilling and going back to focusing on listening to the guy who's up.
Never done any stand up myself, but plenty of other stuff that petrified me in front of large groups of people. :)
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M$
The best way to prepare is a workout before your performance. This helps invigorate your mind and body and release that inner energy and creativeness. Follow your workout with some deep breathing, stretching, and it will all come together. Congratulations on making progress with that "bucket list". Just think, this could be the beginning of something wonderful, new, and definitely exciting!
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M$Notice the Men LOL
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M$
Sunshine, you're so awesome!! Thanks for th support! You give me courage - and believe me, if Icould get yo uguys there, I totally would! I'll let you know how it goes - I'm confirmed for 4/22...
I can not wait .. I hope you do get to continue, I love stand-ups also !!
That is soooo very cool !! Iam blowing you a kiss and a hug just before you go on !! Think of Me ok !! Greatest luck to you !! I can not wait to hear how to goes. Is this something that you can continue doing if you want to? ooops I thought you said 420 LOL. jk
Oh man, if it was on 4/20, my jokes woul;d be ALT funnier! ;)
And if it works out well, I may do it more if the opportunity is there - like I said, I'll do my best to get it recorded and I'll try to share here!
Smooches!
I think there are some great tips already here, but I would just add that you might want to break the ice by using your nervousness in a funny, personal way as soon as you get in front of that mic. Maybe a Chevy Chase-like trip, maybe an exaggerated boy-I'm-so-nervous (how nervous are you?)-I'm-going-to-projectile-vomit gag. Phew, now I feel better. (Depending on your style and the rest of your act, of course - are you more of a Gallagher than a Steven Wright, etc.)
So, you gonna try out any of your act on us? (With or without video?) Obviously, from the answers already here, we could be a supportive virtual audience.
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M$
I just wanted to comment as well, to say, how exciting!! And good luck as well, of course.
I just wanted to join everyone in wishing you the best of luck. This is very cool! I don't think you're nervous, you're just excited (and I'm excited for you!) Just have fun!
No advice but good luck and break a leg so to speak. Have fun and enjoy.
All the Best
I.D.
I just wanted to say, @irishstephen1974, congratulations!
I love stand-up and I know how hard the whole process could be.
Is anyone going to get video coverage? Because I'd love to see it, or at least read a transcript.
Good Luck!