S2E12 - What To Do When You Strike Out

I'm back. Maybe. Did you miss me? With the kiddo back in school I'm able to go back to being your comedy mom. Or, at least be able to finally post some interviews I did before Summer got away from me! This interview with Tony Meyer was recorded a couple months ago. We talk about his start in Stand Up and how he is "thinking past the five." Gosh Damn Sketch Show, Strange Together Podcast, stand up comedian and improviser out of Oregon. Strange Together - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLSbnd_k2P8HsvmUczNnSg Gosh Damn Sketch Show - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClIJcRyMXXb3ET2ZKzMEzvA Facebook -   https://www.facebook.com/TonyTheMeyer Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkingwithtony/

When you start your stand up journey it can feel like a real uphill battle to fill a full 5 minutes with original material. So, how do you think past the 5 minutes and focus on developing longer sets? When you are doing open mics look beyond five minutes and "workout" with the goal of putting bigger sets together. 1. Write Often 2. Thing about bigger themes. 3. Expand what you have 4. Don't get stuck working on 5 minutes at a time

We all know about stage fright. But, there is a type of stage fright no one really talks about. That's "New Stage Fright." I see it a lot, and I will admit I have a touch of it myself. It's that feeling of anxiety you get when you are performing in a new venue. So, what do we do about New Stage Fright? How do we combat this sneaky bitch? 

Is to make time to write them. - John Vorhaus I applaud anyone who can follow the Jerry Seinfeld strategy of writing jokes every day. Gene Perret, who's books are my writing bibles, also touts the importance of writing a daily quota. I absolutely recommend this... but I definitely don't do it. I can't manage to sit down and write every day. So, my advice is to write every week. 

When you get started on your stand up journey there are a lot of opinions thrown at you. It feels like everyone around has something to say, both to your face and behind your back. Been there. So, who do you listen to? The ones in the arena with you. 

Katy talks about why getting vunerable on stage is a good thing.

Vunerability time.  I've had three rough sets in a row. Come with me on the journey of what I do about. 

We are back to rants from your Comedy Mom this week! Thanks again to Beers and Business Cards and Craft Kitchen for sponsoring the New Year New Jokes seminar this year.  Two rants for the price of one this week! First we talk about why you should always have a set in your back pocket when you go to a comedy show, whether you are booked or not. Then, we talk about why writer's groups are a great addition to your schedule! 

We are on Week 10 of our New Year - New Jokes series. The final week, the wrap up. I am sharing my interview with Niko Lukoff from Displaced Comedians. We are talking all about performing in Zoom Shows. I did this interview with Niko for our the writing intensive we need in January. So, some of the details might be a touch different but the advice is still phenomenal! https://www.facebook.com/NikoBrew/ http://www.LaughYourLukoff.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/587778311825075 http://www.displacedcomedians.com -- Huge thank you to Niko for helping us out with the New Year New Jokes seminar this year. Of course, I also want to thank Craft Kitchen and Brewrey and Beers and Business Cards. My challenge for you this week is to take everything you've written this year and take it to a show! If your lucky enough to have an live, and safe, in person mic sign up for it! But, I also really encourage you to try out the Zoom world. Though of us who were doing live shows before, I know your objections. I had them, too. Just give them a try. Niko hosts a great mic for Flapper's Comedy Club on Thursday Nights. It's a great place to try out all your new stuff and starting working on it until the world opens up again.

TW: Mental Health We are on Week 9 of our New Year - New Jokes series. Today we are talking about something I think is so important to the comedy community, and that is mental health. I am so excited to share my Interview with Christy Collins with Trauma Queen Christy! We are talking all about dancing with our demons, and the untented consequences to our mental health when we used our past trauma's as motivation for our material. https://www.facebook.com/traumaqueenchristy https://www.instagram.com/trauma.queen.christy/ -- Again, huge thank you to Christy Collins from Trauma Queen Christy for talking about the intersection between artistry and mental health. Also, shout to Beers and Business Cards and Craft Kitchen and Brewery for their support of the New Years New Jokes seminar this year! This week, I have a challenge for you that is not a writing exercise this week. I want you to use that time to look into the idea of self care. What does that mean for you? And, check in, honestly, about your mental health? This is actually coming at a unique time for me. I recently opened up to my own doctor about my anxiety and how it was effecting my life. It's totally okay to talk to you doctor about what's going on. So, I want to encourage you to be honest about what's going on. There is no shame is taking care of yourself. And, I promise, it's not going to make you a worse comics. So, this week I want you to think about taking care of you and what you need. Espeically during these fucked up times, right? Take care of you. Take your vitamins, take care of yourself, and don't be a dick on stage.