I had a show the other week that had one of my personal best moments, and it was before the show even started.
At One Love Improv, I was performing with the wonderful Steve Szlaga and Mike Callaghan. We got on stage, and the gentleman decided to do a little "coming out of the door" bit. I followed suit, and the audience responded with uproarious silence. Szlaga said, "They don't like that. They did not like that." Again, little to no response from the audience.
I stood with my head high looking out at the audience and said, "It's fine, we'll build to it." They didn't find that funny either. But, I felt good cause I said that, and I believed it. I thought even though I had already "lost" the audience that we'd be fine and we'd build to a good show.
And, the story has a cheesy ending, we did have a good show. We had a killer show. Due in no small part to the talents of Steve and Mike. But, I think also having the confidence to say, I will eventually get to a funny show tonight, helped a whole lot.
Your team doesn't get huge applause when introduced?
No one cares for your living room opening?
Your initiation doesn't get the laugh you expected?
Didn't get any love the whole show?
Relax. Have the confidence that in due time you'll get to where you need to be.
