Do stand-up comedy at an open mic night

“So now it’s Friday. There’s an open mic at 8pm. The sun is setting. I sit outside with my laptop, organizing my material. I feel so peaceful in my entire body. Something feels very right. I print out my material and go to the garage to practice. I’m amazed that I can do most of the act without looking at my notes. The material feels great. I don’t know if it’s funny, but I enjoy saying it. As I drive to the open mic, I’m in the flow. Every song on the radio sounds perfect. I envision myself on stage. I’m not even thinking about the laughs. I’m just thinking about how good it feels to be up there. No matter what happens tonight, I did it. I feel like I’ve already won. I arrive and there are 11 comics ahead of me. I remember our teacher saying that open mics are really just tests, so a lot of their material won’t be funny (And comedians don’t laugh a whole lot to begin with). Well, not this night. Each person feels like they’re nailing it! I’m forgetting about my fears just because I’m laughing so much. I’m touched by their honesty and their vulnerability. I find myself oddly proud of them and rooting for them. It’s my turn. I go up and my material flows out. People are laughing – sometimes just one person, but sometimes the crowd. By no means am I killing it, but it feels like a party compared to bombing. I feel peaceful, confident, in the flow. My 5 minute act feels like 30 seconds. I stay for more acts, then head home and sleep peacefully.”

“Hey guys! I’m new to stand up (22F) and last week I did my first five minutes. I kept going back and forth on if I even wanted to do it. But I knew I owed it to my 12 year old self to just try. Right before I went on I had the urge to switch out my first joke to one I’d only ran thru once and decided to improv my opening (huge fucking gamble Ik) But guys I fucking killed it. I killed my delivery, I killed my cadence and it felt so natural. It was the best feeling in the world but immediately after I said thanks and put the mic up on the stand I ran to the bathroom and blew chunks. I’m just thankful I didn’t barf on the front row lmfao. I was second to last and the dude who closed the night opened with “I don’t know how I’m gonna be able to top that” It was a fucking dream. After the open mic ended, all the regular comics called me over and asked if it was my first time and told me that I was a threat to them now and this was the last time they’d be nice (in a joking way) and gave me their info so they could lmk where else there were open mics. I cried on the way home just because I was so proud that I fucking did it. I was really not feeling good about my routine and was PRAYING for just a couple laughs. But I had people howling. I cannot wait to go again, I’m already reworking my jokes.”