Ask A Stage Goddess - What Do I Do With Only 5 Minutes of Comedy Material?

Ultimate Blog Challenge - Day 23

Today's Ask A Stage Goddess video was inspired by a question that I answered in my Carlease's Bits n Pieces monthly ezine in March 2010 when I was producing a comedy show called Laugh-A-Latte. The person asking the question was one of my students from the first graduating class of The Laugh-A-Latte Comedy Academy. I've re-posted it here exactly as it was published.

Dear Stage Goddess, I am a recent graduate of your Stand Up Comedy workshop and I'm scheduled to go up at Hot Java for the second time this Saturday.  I just don't feel prepared.  I've been trying to write some new material and I've been meeting with my comedy buddy, but the new jokes don't seem to be working. I think I should sit this one out. ~Am I Getting Cold Feet? Dear Cold Feet, Gee, this sounds familiar. What you are feeling is perfectly normal.  Many brand new comics feel they must have all new material every time they take the stage. That is putting way too much pressure on yourself.  Remember, it took seven weeks to develop your first 5 minutes. You probably spent a lot of time just getting used to being on the stage, memorizing your set, getting comfortable with the mike, etc.  Now you get to play. Focus on something different this time:  try a new way of delivering your lines, connect with the audience more, do more act outs, get even more familiar with your material, rearrange your set list, etc. Kick it up a notch. Every time I take the stage, I have one specific thing I am working on for that set.  There's always room for growth no matter how long you've been doing stand up. Definitely throw one new joke in there just to keep you on your toes.  All of this is what we call "honing your act."  It keeps you in the moment. Also keep in mind that you will have a whole new audience who is hearing your material for the first time. You'll never get the exact same reaction.  And your fans will be listening for their favorite jokes! You are prepared. Take a deep breath, stand-up on those cold feet and makes us Laugh-A-Latte! Email your questions about acting, comedy, or solo show production to askastagegoddess@gmail.com.  If chosen, you could be featured in an upcoming YouTube video!!

 

Ask A Stage Goddess - How Do I Hone My Craft?

 hone (v.) - refine or perfect (something) over a period of time.

As an actor, comic or writer it's a good idea to constantly and consistently improve your artistry.
Here are some ways to hone your craft:
Do some research to flesh out a story line or to make a character more 3 dimensional.
Read blogs of other artists like yourself to stay current on trends or to generate new ideas.
Follow and interact with the leaders of your field on social media. You may get their attention and actually be able to connect with them in person one day.
Take classes to improve your technique. 
Go to networking events with others in your field.
Study the work of artists your admire.
Showcase your work as much as possible. When I wanted to improve my stand up comedy writing skills and performance, I created a comedy showcase that forced me to take the stage at least once a month. I had to constantly come up with new material and it raised my comfort level as a producer and a host.
Teach! As a result of the comedy showcase, audience members began to ask me to teach them how to do stand up comedy and once I did, I saw where I could sharpen my skills. I was reminded of the joking writing formula, the many ways to deliver a punchline, etc.
Go on an artist's retreat. One of my writer friends went to a writer's colony in Hawaii to work on her screenplay and many writers I know sometimes check into a hotel to finish their latest masterpiece as the deadline approaches.

The more honed your craft is, the more you will stand out in your field.

How have you honed your craft lately?

Ask A Stage Goddess - How Do I Dress For Success?

As an actor, a comic or a speaker you will need to have your wardrobe together at all times. Not just onstage for the characters you play or the persona you embrace for the public but it’s important for your confidence that you look good at all times. After all, image is everything especially in places like Hollywood, New York or Miami.

I understand that not everyone is a fashionista. I am one of those people. I had to learn to enjoy shopping for clothes and dressing up. I don’t even like to put on costumes for Halloween or wear more than one outfit per day. 

Here are a few tips on how to stay “camera ready” at all times:

Invest in a few quality pieces that you can mix and match.

Have clothes for different categories like casual, business and formal wear. Even your workout clothes should be stylin’. You never know who you may run into on the way to or at the gym.

Keep your outfits clean and ready to go. Check them the night before so you won’t have to scramble in the morning.

Invest in a tailor. It makes a world of difference in how you feel when your clothes fit your body perfectly.

If new clothes are not in your budget right now, try thrift or consignment stores. It takes more patience to look through so many one of a kind items but I’ve seen some great finds on friends of mine and women love to share how little we spent on a fabulous new dress or a pair of shoes.

A friend of mine in San Francisco has a swap every year where women of all sizes bring a suitcase full of gently used clothes we are no longer wearing and swap with each other.  You end up going home with that same suitcase filled with all new items. We have a huge potluck and it’s a lot of fun.

So get your act together and dress for success!

Describe your style or the one outfit that makes you feel the most confident.