My Journey into Standup Comedy: From Nervous to Dynamic

Standup comedy has always been a fascinating world, full of laughter and personal growth. My first experience with standup comedy was intense, both in terms of excitement and nerves. Here's my journey from hesitation to performing at a well-known comedy club, and what my first few shows taught me.

The Beginning of My Comedy Career

A couple of days ago, I delivered my first standup comedy performance, much to my delight. The two-day course I completed was a stepping stone, and my participation in the graduation show at a prominent local comedy club marked the culmination of the course. Out of the 11 people who took part, 8 got to perform, and the shared experience was incredibly bonding. Each performer had their struggles, but everyone performed excellently, and the camaraderie built throughout the experience was unsurpassed.

The Experience: Nerves and Laughter

In my head, I had a meticulously planned 3-minute set, and I expected to jump on stage, deliver a couple of laughs, and quickly exit. However, reality was quite different. My timing was off, punchlines didn't land, and the audience was quiet—so quiet that I felt swiftly inadequate. I delivered my material faster than expected, a minute was all it took to blow through what seemed like a quickset. My last few jokes barely got a chuckle, and the show ended in disappointment. Yet, despite the failure, I couldn't stop smiling after the performance. The realization that I had simply wanted to express myself left me feeling accomplished.

Rare Moments of Excitement

Despite the nervousness, I still recall some enjoyable moments. Back at the comedy club, I delivered a set with the help of a beta-blocker and a few shots due to extreme nervousness. The opening line was rushed and only received a chuckle, but the next bits of material brought a few laughs. Unfortunately, the jokes that were supposed to be a comeback didn't resonate well, and I ended the performance with a punchline about Funyuns and my genitals, a common first-time comedian's joke. Post-performance, I was relieved to get encouragement from the audience. The following week, I participated in an open mic night and got kicked out for being underage. That incident, along with personal issues, kept me from pursuing standup again for a couple of years.

Conclusion: A Fun Hobby

Despite the initial setbacks, performing standup comedy remains a fun and rewarding hobby for me, undeterred by the criticism and amusement. Finding my voice and learning to connect with an audience through humor is a continuous process. If you’re new to standup, I highly recommend taking a class, practicing often, and don't be afraid to jump into the experience, no matter how nervous you might feel at first.

This journey into standup comedy has been both humbling and eye-opening. It’s a reminder that expressing yourself is crucial, even if the initial show feels like a spectacular failure. Stand up is a blast (if not, at the very least, you’ll have a story to tell!).