We Tried It: I Attempted Stand-Up for the First Time in Honor of “SNL”’s 50th Anniversary and Tapped Into My Inner Amy Poehler

We Tried It: Embracing Stand-Up Comedy for the First Time

Standing up in front of a crowd of strangers attempting to be funny didn’t seem like my ideal scenario at first. While I always manage to make my friends chuckle, trying to elicit laughter from a room full of people on cue proved to be more challenging than I had anticipated when I decided to try stand-up for the very first time. Stepping outside my comfort zone, I signed up for the Stand-Up 1 class at the renowned Second City Training Stage, known for launching the careers of comedic talents such as Stephen Colbert and Amy Poehler. With the 50th anniversary of ‘Saturday Night Live’ on the horizon, I was inspired to explore the roots of some of my favourite comedians who had honed their craft at The Second City in various locations.

As I delved into the intensive six-week course, I quickly realised that there was a stark difference between being considered ‘the funny friend’ and commanding a room with well-timed punchlines. The class of around 15 students, including myself, were thrown straight into the deep end on day one, requiring us to share impromptu stories about ourselves in front of the group. Despite feeling unprepared, I managed to garner laughs from the class, which served as a boost to my confidence. However, as the weeks progressed, I encountered challenges in translating my humorous ideas into successful onstage performances.

Under the guidance of our talented instructor, Adrian Smith, a seasoned comic, we were introduced to the nuances of comedic structure, timing and stage presence. Smith’s approachable teaching style created a safe and productive environment for us to explore our comedic talents. The class format involved each student presenting 3-5 jokes per session, followed by constructive feedback and suggestions from Smith and fellow classmates. This collaborative process, coupled with Smith’s emphasis on concise joke-telling and clever wordplay, significantly improved our joke-writing skills and stage delivery.

In addition to honing our performance skills, Smith encouraged us to adopt Julia Cameron’s ‘Morning Pages’ practice, involving daily journaling to stimulate creative thinking and joke development. This exercise proved invaluable in generating fresh comedic material and provided a solid foundation from which to craft our sets. Throughout the course, we also learnt essential joke structures, including the rule of three and the effectiveness of misdirection in eliciting laughter from the audience. Smith’s passion for comedy and dedication to nurturing new talent resonated with all of us, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the class.

As the weeks progressed, I found myself growing more appreciative of my classmates’ bravery and determination. Preconceived notions about the type of individuals involved in comedy courses were dispelled, as I witnessed firsthand the genuine passion and commitment of my peers. By the time I performed in week 5, I felt a newfound confidence in my material and delivery. Making authentic connections through relatable storytelling and shared experiences became the cornerstone of my set, culminating in a performance that resonated with the audience.

Approaching the culminating show with a mix of nerves and excitement, I am eager to showcase the skills and insights gained from the Stand-Up 1 class to my friends and fellow classmates. As Adrian Smith aptly puts it, at the end of the day, ‘It’s just comedy’. The journey from tentative beginner to aspiring comedian has been filled with valuable lessons and memorable experiences, highlighting the transformative power of humour in fostering connection and camaraderie within a community of budding comics.