These Are The Jokes, Folks!

[Guest]

I've had the urge for years to try stand-up comedy, and at 76 I finally took the plunge this week.  

 

Featuring a lot of age-related stuff ("I don't even buy green bananas..."), my eight minutes on stage was very well-received.

 

It's a monthly open mic opportunity, and I was urged to come back.  I probably will, for as long as I can continue to stand up.

[Gwen]

Congrats on mustering the courage! I'm sure your hunger for this type of audience will only grow. There are plenty of us seniors out here and we need humor too

 

Gwen

[Charlize]

Sounds like fun.  Oh yea......in a week those bananas will be ripe..

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

Oh I love that joke!  Congratulations Kenna.  You'll need an agent soon.

 

Jani

[Cyndee]

The world really needs to laugh and smile, good for you !

[Guest]

As I prepare for my second attempt at stand-up comedy tonight, it occurs to me that the reason I can do it without being nervous is that it's not really me up there.  It's a role I'm playing for the moment.  I'm revealing nothing of my true self.  If that person bombs, there's no harm done.

 

We transgender people become quite adept at role-playing, spending much of our lives doing so for the benefit of others.  When we reach the breaking point, we finally assume what we believe to be our rightful role but then have to learn all of its nuances.

 

My life experience has left me needing to put up a series of facades that I can hide behind.  As a result, I've allowed very few people to know the real "me".

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jani]

Good Luck tonight.  I hope you knock 'em out!

 

Jani

[Kirsten]

That’s great! Good luck ???

[Charlize]

I love to see your act!  Hope it goes well.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[tracy_j]

It sounds good Kenna!

 

I have heard a number of times that some of the big names in comedy were role playing and not showing their inner selves on stage. With some it was because their private lives were stressful, so they could escape for a while.

 

Tracy

[Guest]

It's an interesting phenomenon.

 

I noticed last night that I go to a different place mentally.  I'm somewhat aware of the audience response but not acutely so.  I'm focused upon the sequence of what I plan to say and the need to wait for laughs, but at the same time I'm pacing around and falling into a rhythm with the crowd - one that takes on a life of its own.  When it's over, I revert to the quiet, somewhat reserved person I truly am.

 

One of the organizers of the writers' group took me aside later and quite sincerely said that I need to take that same routine to open mike nights at local comedy clubs.  He said that they've had people on stage who actually work as stand-up comics and did not get nearly the reaction I did.  But all I remembered was that it seemed to work okay.  I had no idea that it had been so successful.  I received a lot of enthusiastic individual comments, but the group is supportive of everyone who performs.

[Charlize]

I'll be waiting to see you on the comedy club circuit.  You are a very talented person in many ways.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

4 hours ago, Kenna Dixon said:

But all I remembered was that it seemed to work okay.  I had no idea that it had been so successful. 

I think this is because you were in a "zone" where you focused on yourself and the routine you presented.   Bravo to you Kenna!   I would have loved to have been in the audience.

 

Jani

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Jani said:

I think this is because you were in a "zone" where you focused on yourself and the routine you presented.  

 

Before I tried this, I would have taken for granted that I'd feel a very personal relationship with the audience.  But unless you make a conscious effort to address individuals, it's merely a structured performance with the veneer of a conversation.  I guess the really good comics learn to break out of that zone.

 

I don't know that I'll do it again, but the experience was very educational.

[Gwen]

I applaud your efforts to get on stage again and maintain your composure to get through your material, Kenna. It must have been so gratifying to receive applause and the kind comment afterwards. I have social anxiety and this would never be an experience I would choose for myself! But then not many of us would. You may not do it again, but you can proudly tell anyone that you once did

 

Gwen

[PaulaPlaytex]

"A Little Humor Here"...My Good Friend Says...He and His Wife Only Have "Oral Sex"..."They Just Talk About It".

[BrandiBri]

1 hour ago, PaulaPlaytex said:

"A Little Humor Here"...My Good Friend Says...He and His Wife Only Have "Oral Sex"..."They Just Talk About It"

Lmao! good one!

[PaulaPlaytex]

"BrandiBri'...Thanks...I Thought You Would Like It !

[PaulaPlaytex]

"BrandiBri"...Another (From Same Friend)...He Said...Before They Were Married, They Went To A Baseball Game..."He Kissed Her On The Strikes"..."She Kissed Him On The Balls"...(Ha, Ha, Ha).