Starting standup comedy: My first set

To start off my comedy career, I couldn’t think of a better place than The Midway Cafe, in Jamaica Plain, MA. I’d already attended one open mic on a scouting mission. This was my last opportunity to do this mic before I moved, so I wanted to do it up right. And just like a first set, nothing went to plan.

He’s doing better than I did!

I’d prepared for an hour before leaving, holding an extension of my vacuum in the place of a microphone and recording and listening to my set until it was memorized. I also made a concept map/outline in a notebook for reference. I’d carved out an out to reference it and make that into a joke about, “Oh where was I… Said my name, that’s 400 pts on the SAT right there, first time, cod piece, right…” that way, I could justify looking at my notes.

You can do WAY LESS prep than I did, but I wanted this to be my best effort in case I never did it again and everything I learned were things I didn’t already know.

Midway or the Highway starts at 9:00PM. That’s a loose start time and the hosts go for 5-10 minutes. The earliest you might open it in the first block is 9:20. I was ready to volunteer if asked. They did not ask. 

I had a friend who said he’d come watch. I’m really glad he didn’t come because he was 100% waiting until 12:30 AM when I went on as the final act. I’m not a fan of going last, but I guess you gotta pay your dues a bit. I’d prefer to open, even to a cold room, just so I’m not sitting there thinking about it or questioning whether I’ll remember each bit in order. 

Anyway, I get there, put my name in the bowl and wait. First couple blocks pass, my name isn’t called. There’s a guy who is introduced as, “The only comedian to ever interrupt me recording a set while tripping on acid.” He took offense to it and spent his full five stewing over it and asking why he’d say that or trust some guy named Rick. It was a wonderful moment for me because, no matter how I did, it wouldn’t be worse than that. There were three to four comics who helped me feel better about myself before I even started. One’s only joke was to drop the mic by the cord and swing it like his johnson. 

I had a couple beers, went pee like 532 times, and just soaked in everything I could. When the host called my name I think he thought whoever Chris Phillips was, he’d left and the show was over. To his surprise, I stood up and went to the stage. 
When I got up there, the preparation was key to not crashing. But, I did cut a solid minute and a half because I was feeling like I’d shake apart if I kept going. 

I have this “video” of my first set. If you want to have a listen, it was a fine first set. I wrote it about doing my first set and comparing it to your first time having sex. It made it easy to excuse any mistakes I made– in comedy not in the sack. It also gave me some natural outs for when I cut my set a little short and then the microphone came unplugged. 

Here are my key takeaways from my first set:

First sets are rough. I don’t care if you possess all the talent of Dave Chapelle, you’re going to make mistakes, and that’s okay. 

Just doing it is good enough. It’s tough just to stand up there and speak. I think I said, “so” over ten times. Congrats to me for not dying. 

Be prepared for anything. The mic came unplugged in the middle of my set. I just had to grab it, plug it and keep going. It really did feel like a first time because I was like, “Is it in? Yeah? Cool.”

Crowds are scary. It doesn’t matter how big. If there’s enough of them to tar and feather you, it’s terrifying being up there. It gets better for sure, but even in the first two seconds, those faces not smiling are brutal on your 20th time, let alone the first time you see it. 

Record your set. You’ll learn a lot hearing if you cut off laughs or what your pacing sounded like. Remember how I said “so” over ten times? I don’t remember saying it. All I remember is their expressionless faces, staring through my soul. The recording is where I learned that. 

I prefer video recording, when possible. I was told not to do that or hyper analyze my sets early on, but I disagree completely. I’d rather do things right early than try to fix 100 bad habits. No matter what you choose, don’t put your recording device in your pocket. 

Compliments are great, but fleeting. The host and a couple other comics came and asked if that was really my first set and were very uplifting. My head grew three sizes like the Grinch’s heart on Christmas. But, I still had to reflect and learn and make sure set number two was all that much better. But also, I’m amazing. 

Let me know if this was helpful or not. If so or if not leave a comment and let me know how your first set went. I hope to do this set again someday now that I’m not terrified. I’d love to land a few more of the punchlines, but if I never do, it was pretty great– for a first time. Be sure to follow me on Instagram and subscribe and like all my stuff on YouTube.