Some rooms are different, not bad…
Last night I performed at an open mic at a local coffee house. It felt a bit funny because I was the ONLY comedian slated for the night. There were singer songwriters, poets, spoken word “artists,” drum circles and all kinds of other talent. For some reason I was discomforted, and I don’t have any clue why because back in the day I would have been one of those bohemian souls, and would have put myself out there. Maybe that was the problem, the whole back in the day. I am a shadow of my former bohemian self, though to some I am still “way out there.”
The crowd was largely silent as I worked through my material. A few places, where I know hearty laughs come from properly warmed up audiences, I did recieve a few chuckles, and even an outright laugh or two. It was hard not to think “Oh no, I’m bombing.” However, whether it was because they were glad I was stopping, or because they truly enjoyed my material I did get a hearty applause in closing. And afterwards speaking to audience members there was a clear connection with my material, and appreciation of my humor.
All that said, not to pat myself on the back (like I could reach it without blowing out one of these 40yr old shoulders) but rather to get to the point of this entry…. I must work on my audience warm up skills. I am allowed to have a silent audience when I step up, but by the time I leave the stage they should be whipped up and ready to embrace the next act fully.
Challenge Accepted.