It’s time to own it, my friend. You’ve put in the work, rehearsed until your brain feels like it’s going to explode, and now it’s showtime. But before you step onto that stage and spill your guts to a room full of strangers, take a moment to ask yourself some important questions. What did you learn about yourself and the world around you? Who are you today? Is everything the same as it’s always been, or has your perspective shifted?
Let’s face it, it takes a certain amount of chutzpah to create a solo show and share your deepest, darkest secrets with the world. You might be wondering why you even signed up for this in the first place. Maybe you have a compulsion to over-disclose, or perhaps you’re hoping that by telling everyone about your flaws, they’ll like you more. Well, guess what? The more people know about you, the more they tend to like you.
As they say, “Your attributes make you likable, but it’s your flaws that make you lovable.” And after all the hard work you’ve put in, it’s time to show off your flaws and own your story like the badass you are. But remember, it’s not just about being brave; it’s about being smart too. You need to work out the truth of your story, see it from your vantage point, and be honest with yourself.
It’s easy to look at someone and think you know their story, but the truth is, there’s always more than meets the eye. And the same goes for your own life. You need to see yourself from the inside out and the outside in, with a healthy dose of objectivity and perceptivity. Of course, it’s still your story, so it will always be subjective in some way.
Once you’ve got your script worked out and your scenes staged and blocked (you did do that part, right?), there’s one final trap to avoid. You can get so focused on the story that you forget to actually live it in the moment. You need to re-live it, without re-traumatizing yourself, and experience a transformation on stage, in public. That’s where the magic happens.
The deep work you’ve done to get here is challenging and rocky, but the time on stage is the sweet reward. It’s the moment when you arrive at this point, having told the story of how you got here. It’s grace, power, and peace. You own it, and then you let it go.
As you reach the climax or conclusion of your story, notice how the actual story begins to dissolve. It’s like a photo coming into focus, and then suddenly dissolving into nothingness. All that’s left is a sense of violet or cyan or indigo that forms a kind of sunset we all watch together. It’s a kind of quietness that says, “Well, that happened.”
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to go out there and show the world what you’re made of, tiger! And if you need some extra help, check out an interview with solo performer and comedian Joe Klocek here.
If you’re ready to take your comedy or solo performance career to the next level, and feel called to work with me, you can book a free consult on my site right here.
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