Yesterday I performed at four open mics! It was unique opportunity where I was up north and made my way down to Miami just in time for each appearance. Mondays have Thank You Miami and Seven Seas, both late at night, so tackling two earlier shows in Boca Raton and Hollywood rounded out a very successful evening.
With 25 minutes of stage time between the four shows I am forced to wonder what the value of “getting up” really is. I’m past my nervous stage. I even have a decent grip on if a joke is going to work or not. I add my tags and transitions during my writing. So why perform at all? Exposure? Don’t worry - nobody gives a damn. Practice? I can practice in the mirror.
Am I forced to accept that the open mic circuit is just my own egotistical drive to get a few laughs from strangers and peers? Or is there a deeper value that I can uncover?
The word of the day is character. I am creating a character. He’s a lot like me, has almost the same name, but hopefully he’s a bit more funny. He has all my own features, exaggerated. He has the same stories as me but only if he wants them. He has a voice where I only have thoughts. He gives life to my ideas and embodies my persona in a way that I cannot (and should not). He exists only five to ten minutes at a time: on stage with a mic in hand. Off stage, I shed his toxic attributes and just try to be a friendly face in the friendly South Florida comedy scene.
Zac Newford is rising. Sure, he needs my help. But first he must develop as a character.
He should know exactly who he is and what he stands for. He can’t do that without the feedback of an audience. He may know he’s funny, but he doesn’t know how funny. He has a viewpoint, but unchallenged it is artificial. Although a newborn creation, he is forming depth and attitude that raise him above a superficial act.
This process takes time.
Going up four times in one night gave me instant feedback. The same joke in four different places with four different results. It was a science experiment!
My most offensive joke went terribly in front of a group of comedians - they’re pussies. It went okay in an all-black room. I didn’t even tell it to the crowd that would have liked it the most (read: too much). But in the small “home” room where I connected with the audience, it was a killer.
Zac Newford has limits. He has goals. He has dreams. He likes to perform, but he does not have to.
Monday was my limit. I used to believe that the more time on stage the better.
Now I choose quality over quantity.
My favorite show of the night was at Thank You Miami to a crowd of three. Quality crowds don’t depend on quantity. If they give their attention and are polite, they deserve the best show I can give. If they are comedians focused on their own jokes or rowdy bar patrons that just want to be heard, why should Zac Newford give them a show?
Zac Newford has value now - and I don’t plan to waste it.
Here’s some of my favorite set of the night. I’d post the whole video, but I’m not sure you deserve it yet!
I also went to The Villain tonight. I left at midnight before going on stage. Sometimes it’s just not worth it…
Four Mics, One Night
Way to ride the rails and get perspective! Wonder if Aunt Linda’s ears are burning yet? 💭