The comedian transformed
A comedian is backstage, preparing for their show. They are confident in themselves as a person, but not as much as a performer, as they are still new to the craft. They try to calm their nerves by saying out loud that in the scope of their entire life, this is relatively unimportant. They are well read, earn a good salary in their regular job, and have many lasting friendships. Still, this is a comedy club, and they would like to do well, even though for them being funny is only an avocation.
The comedy style they employ, well thought out and rehearsed, is a combination of life observations and the more classic, punchline-style jokes. They have surmised, after much thought, that limiting themselves to only one style or form, especially this early in their comedic life, would be unwise, as they are yet unsure if their own particular brand is in any way unique or different.
Comedy can be tricky, as what might work with one audience on a particular night might not work with another at another time. To some degree, the comedian has to be able to feel things out. Comedy is not a science, but an art, and artists have to be ready to be fully artistic when they are engaging in their chosen activity.
So the time is almost on our performer to enter the stage, and they are feeling quite a bit nervous, in part because the previous comedian does not appear to have done so well. As our comedian readies themselves, they push forward the reminder that this is only for fun. There are many more important things. They enter the stage, confident that they have nothing to lose!
After a series of observations, anecdotes and one liners, it becomes obvious to those present that this performer, too, is not doing very well. All present are waiting for the show to end. The comedian, while finishing a set which now feels to them forced and contrived, is disappointed, though unsure as to what seems to have gone wrong this evening.
Exiting the stage, they sit down in the back room of the club, and after a moment of deep remorse and anxiety, realize something wonderful; they have transformed themselves and their audience.
The comedy style they employ, well thought out and rehearsed, is a combination of life observations and the more classic, punchline-style jokes. They have surmised, after much thought, that limiting themselves to only one style or form, especially this early in their comedic life, would be unwise, as they are yet unsure if their own particular brand is in any way unique or different.
Comedy can be tricky, as what might work with one audience on a particular night might not work with another at another time. To some degree, the comedian has to be able to feel things out. Comedy is not a science, but an art, and artists have to be ready to be fully artistic when they are engaging in their chosen activity.
So the time is almost on our performer to enter the stage, and they are feeling quite a bit nervous, in part because the previous comedian does not appear to have done so well. As our comedian readies themselves, they push forward the reminder that this is only for fun. There are many more important things. They enter the stage, confident that they have nothing to lose!
After a series of observations, anecdotes and one liners, it becomes obvious to those present that this performer, too, is not doing very well. All present are waiting for the show to end. The comedian, while finishing a set which now feels to them forced and contrived, is disappointed, though unsure as to what seems to have gone wrong this evening.
Exiting the stage, they sit down in the back room of the club, and after a moment of deep remorse and anxiety, realize something wonderful; they have transformed themselves and their audience.
They had entered the stage as a comedian, but since there had been no measurable laughter, they and their audience had become something quite different. No longer a comedy show and audience for that show, they were all now that something no one seemed able to describe.
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