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What I’ve Learned in Three Months of Studying Stand-up
Most important: work harder and get out of your head.
A couple of months ago, I took my love of writing and my narcissism to a new level: I went to a stand-up class.
I’ve always loved comedy. and in the past couple of years (thanks to Netflix making it so easy for me to watch and several podcasts bringing several working comedians’ thoughts to me on a weekly basis) I’ve become something of a fanatic. This year, already a little tired with trying to be a serious writer and needing a boost to my creativity, I decided to do something new: I signed up for a three-month course that culminates (next Wednesday) in a showcase.
It will probably be a fun night, with the audience filled with friends and family who will laugh at everything out of sheer politeness. But after these first couple of months of class, of trying out material in front of other people and see it succeed or crash and burn, I already know I want to stick to this craft for a while and try my luck in open mics around the city.
Here are a couple of things that I‘ve learned in the process, some of which will probably make me a better writer.
- Getting other people to laugh is a drug. I’m not lying, it’s great. And it’s even better if it’s people you don’t know.