Try your hand at stand-up comedy or storytelling.

“I got up on that stage and did my time—and I mostly sucked. I think it was the nerves. My material wasn’t absolutely awful, but I swayed back and forth like a very disturbed lunatic. I am normally not nervous when I get on stage, but something about the comedy club environment, all the wait time, and never having done it made me bonkers inside. I pulled it together, but overall it made me pretty lame.”

“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.”

“Next up is the very funny Jamie Friedlander!” Oh my God. I’m next. It’s really happening. I’m a mess. It’s mid-March, and I’m at the Dallas Comedy House stand-up open mic night, due to take the stage for the first time, and my nerves are getting the best of me. Sweat drips down my face and my heart beats faster than it ever has.”