Having done standup comedy since college, I struggled for a long time to get the hang of writing, being on stage, and putting myself out there. I was inconsistent. I was self-sabotaging. I was often paralyzed with fantasies of grandiosity. I was so frustrated that I hadn’t “made it” yet. Read more…
The Real Secret So here’s the other thing that happened that set the stage for my break down and breakthrough. Alien visitation. No I’m kidding. What actually happened was that after years of soldiering through on my own, I made a plan in advance to have a friend greet me Read more…
The Gift of Total Breakdown I recently had a complete breakdown on stage during a comedy show. And it was one of the best experiences of my performing life. I say that because during my breakdown which included swearing and crying and generally having a rough time, I was being Read more…
The truth is, when you forget your lines, there is nothing you can actually do to "lose face". Your face, your body, your personality, is essentially an illusion. In fact, the metaphor of a play or a show fits so perfectly with life. We rehearse, the moment arrives, we're on Read more…
I've often had dreams that I was back in high school, doing my school play again, and the nightmare part is, "But I don't remember my lines any more!" It's perhaps the thing we fear most ABOUT public speaking or getting on stage. What if the fear isn't actually a Read more…
We all have to start somewhere. In comedy, you start right where you are. And in a way, every time we get on stage, we’re starting again, because we’re in front of a new audience. And it is the bravest thing in the world do get on that stage, for Read more…
Comedy Career Q & A, Part 8: Stay Grounded and Magical Alicia: And if you can quit your job and enjoy that for a while and have it be building toward you creating the next level of your performance and who you are on stage, amazing, do it. If it’s Read more…
Comedy Career Q & A, Part 7: Grow Big or Grow Home Alicia: I think doing what you love should be the goal and if doing the other things to pay the rent make it easier to be creative then that’s beautiful. If they make it harder and they drain Read more…
Comedy Career Q & A, Part 6: Slow & Steady Meteoric Rise Alicia: Yeah, you can’t have a viral video if you don’t have any videos. Able: That’s true. Yeah. So you’ve done that yourself? Alicia: No. Able: Okay. Alicia: Why do you think I’m still talking to you? I’m Read more…
Comedy Career Q & A, Part 4: Develop Your Show Able: So, it sounds like a lot of what you’re saying is go where you think your people are going to be and see how it lands with them and branch out from there. Alicia: Yeah, definitely and tell me more about Read more…