12 Recent Comedy Wins

Hard Work Pays Off (Things That Matter #33)

The last couple of weeks have included a number of comedy wins. Some are small. Some are bigger. All of them remind me that this strange path of writing, producing, driving, performing, and occasionally losing money is actually moving somewhere. And I like writing them here, in my little corner of the virtual world, so I have record of them. But it’s cool to share it with others because I find that when other comedians share their victories it inspires me. So, here goes.

First, I produced my first comedy show last weekend. 12 people came. 12! I was more stressed about that event than almost anything I have done in comedy. I lost money and paid the comedians out of my own pocket. But the show happened. I made it happen. I got it under my belt. I performed with some great comics and, maybe most importantly, I now have the next 6 months of shows booked. I am also starting to connect with other clean comedians who are Christians, which is a community I hoped to find. One of the comics who attended my show even called afterward to offer encouragement and feedback, which meant a lot. Comedy can feel surprisingly lonely sometimes and calls like that mean the world.

Second, my son performed at my show. It was his first time performing outside the showcase he did for a class I led several months back. He mostly winged it, but he did great. Now he is going to host the next show we produce. Seeing that unfold is pretty special. Third, I got to perform another theater show recently. It was in a beautiful venue in Virginia, in front of a great crowd, with a strong headliner. Afterward we walked across the street to a little diner and kept the jokes going with the staff, the booker, and some locals. It was one of those simple, memorable comedy nights.

Fourth, I was invited to appear on Nateland Live, the weekly comedy show connected to Nate Bargatze. That was one of my goals for the year, so getting that invitation was a huge encouragement. I’m thrilled about this!!!

Fifth, this Saturday marks episode number one hundred of The Messed-Up to Set-Ups podcast. I have had some great comedians on the show and have more on the way, including one who has appeared on The Tonight Show and worked in late night comedy. Sixth, I recently launched a new video series called Nice To SwannaKnowYa. Episode 1 is done and it feels good to create something from our community.

Seventh, I completed my second comedy course, The Comedian’s Memory Lab, which is now available on Udemy. Eighth, my local newspaper wrote an article about me, which was incredibly cool to see. Ninth, I am increasingly appearing on podcasts and in publications as things continue to grow. Tenth, I will be headlining my second fundraiser next week, which is another milestone.

Eleventh, my eighty Composition II students just performed their first round of stand up in class. I have been teaching them joke writing, memorization, and performance techniques every Thursday for the last 2 months, and today they got up and delivered their sets in front of their classmates. Watching that happen never gets old. Twelfth, my college comedy group has been a little smaller this semester, but we are still producing good material and putting it out on my social channels. I’m proud of them.

There is a lot to celebrate right now. I am grateful for the wins and I am grateful for the losses, too. Many days I am tired and do not feel like writing, podcasting, promoting, driving, or performing, but I try to do it anyway even when the work begins to stack up. I am thankful for every opportunity and for every person I have met along the way who has been supportive during this journey. Here’s to more great things to come and more comedy wins!