Expert: Christy Murphy - 11/11/2008

Question
Hi Christy-I read the question by the 26 year old, and mine is about the same, only I'm 47 and a woman.( horrors!)I've been saying for over 20 years, that I want to write and perform a 5 minute stand-up routine. That's all. Well, finally, I'm enrolled in a comedy class, beginning very soon, and I'm very excited about that. But now I'm thinking, why should I just settle for a 5 minute onetime shot? Why not more?
Then the little voice says, you blew it! you waited too long!
How realistic is it to think that I can fashion a career at this point in my life? My real love is writing comedy..but again, the voice...
Am I delusional? I live in the Philly area, so I'm close to alot of venues. Thanks for your time.


Answer
Barbara! I have no idea about the fashion industry portion of your question, but it is never too late to start stand-up. Particularly if you live in an area where there are lots of clubs. A comedy class is a great confidence booster. My personal advice for starting a career in stand-up is to get on stage at any venue that will let you (even start your own show at a local bookshop, coffeehouse or bar), and perform, perform, perform. Try to get up seven nights a week (you'll find you can hit more than one show on some nights) in the beginning. A comedy class is great, but often people who take classes spend weeks and weeks preparing material that they keep in their act way too long. If you're a quick learner and writer those first jokes will not be as good as the jokes you write later and ought to be dropped. However, many comics hold on to the beginner formulaic jokes for AGES and never advance they way they could. Definitely go to the class and enjoy the company of fellow comics, meet people to put shows together with, get lots of numbers, and get the confidence that having taken a class brings. Later, throw all the formulas and rules out the window. Write material you believe. Stuff you think is funny! So many classes are consumed with guessing what the audience is going to laugh at. If you believe in your act (not to the exclusion of audience input, but don't pander), you will naturally find a voice that is yours, new bits will come to you quickly, and you will naturally find a stage presence on your own.  Make sure to go your local club, keep your material ORIGINAL, and get onstage--A :PT. It definitely is not too late. Go for it!