There are many people who fear the mic, which is why they avoid places where they might be placed on the spot like on open mic caf or even at karaoke bars. If you want to learn standup comedy, this is something that you should be able to conquer. You need to learn how to get to that stage, hold the mic and perform in front of a crowd.
This venue poses lots of challenges for you as someone who aspires to be in the industry. Before you come to the place, you should be armed with your best skit and you should have practiced this thoroughly at home. Although the place is a good practice field for people like you who are dreaming to become famous, there are many other people who have the same dream and they also frequent places where they can get the chance to perform.
It is like entering a dungeon once you are in, there is no turning back. You should be prepared to be hurt emotionally even when you only intended to make people laugh. It is very different when you are only performing in front of people who know you by heart, like your family and friends. They see you as someone entertaining and someone whom they will support no matter what. The people that you will meet at open mic venues are those who consider you as their competitor. It is not that easy to get into this field, which is why many of the people that you will meet at these places have been doing this for a long time already, hoping that some big-wigs from the showbiz industry will tap them and offer them contracts.
The more you feel like people hate you during your performances at open mic venues, the more that you should feel satisfied with your work. This is an indication that you are good that is why they dont like you. You may be even better than most of them, so just go with the flow and continue giving your best.
During these performances, make sure that you protect your material as well. You never know when the person who shouted the loudest boo at you will perform your skit at other places. Make sure that you videotape yourself during live performances at open mics. This way, you will have clear evidence that it is indeed your material if ever it would be someday stolen. Watching the videos can also help you see your strengths and weaknesses. You can take note of the factors where you are good at and the least of your forte. This can help you improve the craft so that you will know better what to do the next time around.
It may sound like lots of hard work to learn standup comedy, but once you have mastered everything, you will feel rewarded after you have realized your improvement. It will be a greater satisfaction to hear peoples praises and much more if ever you get the chance to become a pro.
