Well, it's a good thing that the first time I performed a Hefner Monologue at Speakeasy Open Mic a month ago, it was a rousing success. Because my follow-up monologue tonight did not go as smoothly and left me feeling somewhat dejected. Which is where I'm at right now.
What went wrong? Well, first of all, something that was worrying me about Speakeasy from the very start-- the goddamn seven-minute time limit. I was frankly amazed that I got through last month's story just fine, when I told my Drunk in Bath monologue. I didn't even get the "30 Seconds Left, So Wrap It Up" warning bell! Yet this time, the minutes absolutely flew by; I can still hardly believe that I actually went that long.
As such, I only got through little more than half the story, not even getting to the meat and more universal topics. This left me with a story that was mostly me talking about being a geek working at the comic shop. It was a fine little story, but nothing more than that, which kills me. Based on all that I was able to talk about, I was left with something that just couldn't connect with most people, it seemed. I know I was entertaining at least, as well as funny... I know I was that, if nothing else. I think I can at least have the ability to be able to tell a story entertainingly, even if the content doesn't click with everyone.
I only got one or two kudos from folks afterward (as opposed to the dozen or so compliments last month, which really overwhelmed me), although a few of the regulars were very supportive and told me they really liked it, that I should definitely keep coming back, which was very encouraging. Another regular was brutally honest enough to tell me it was a good story, but definitely not as good as my last one. I guess getting drunk and acting like an idiot is a bit more universal than being a big flaming geek.
Also, she added, "So do you still work at the, uh, cartoon store?"
I'm not sure if I even need to *headdesk*, but I will anyway. *headdesk*
Add this to the fact that Signature Theatre finally just got back to me to reject my proposal to do "My Grandfather's Last Words" for their Open House, and it's just not a good day for the Hefner Monologues. But I musn't get discouraged. My story was good, that much I know, and will be much, much better when I have the freedom to flesh it out in writing. So I might get on that soonish and perhaps we'll see that here.
Mayhap also I'd better get back to investigating other opportunities, like College Perk. Although the prospect of getting up the balls to do that frankly scares the crap outta me. The prospect of getting back up after one stumbles or is knocked down just generally scares the crap outta me sometimes.
Thus the Chris Titus icon-- preach on, o wise dinosaur-head. No more wussy shall I be.
But seriously. "Cartoon store."
What went wrong? Well, first of all, something that was worrying me about Speakeasy from the very start-- the goddamn seven-minute time limit. I was frankly amazed that I got through last month's story just fine, when I told my Drunk in Bath monologue. I didn't even get the "30 Seconds Left, So Wrap It Up" warning bell! Yet this time, the minutes absolutely flew by; I can still hardly believe that I actually went that long.
As such, I only got through little more than half the story, not even getting to the meat and more universal topics. This left me with a story that was mostly me talking about being a geek working at the comic shop. It was a fine little story, but nothing more than that, which kills me. Based on all that I was able to talk about, I was left with something that just couldn't connect with most people, it seemed. I know I was entertaining at least, as well as funny... I know I was that, if nothing else. I think I can at least have the ability to be able to tell a story entertainingly, even if the content doesn't click with everyone.
I only got one or two kudos from folks afterward (as opposed to the dozen or so compliments last month, which really overwhelmed me), although a few of the regulars were very supportive and told me they really liked it, that I should definitely keep coming back, which was very encouraging. Another regular was brutally honest enough to tell me it was a good story, but definitely not as good as my last one. I guess getting drunk and acting like an idiot is a bit more universal than being a big flaming geek.
Also, she added, "So do you still work at the, uh, cartoon store?"
I'm not sure if I even need to *headdesk*, but I will anyway. *headdesk*
Add this to the fact that Signature Theatre finally just got back to me to reject my proposal to do "My Grandfather's Last Words" for their Open House, and it's just not a good day for the Hefner Monologues. But I musn't get discouraged. My story was good, that much I know, and will be much, much better when I have the freedom to flesh it out in writing. So I might get on that soonish and perhaps we'll see that here.
Mayhap also I'd better get back to investigating other opportunities, like College Perk. Although the prospect of getting up the balls to do that frankly scares the crap outta me. The prospect of getting back up after one stumbles or is knocked down just generally scares the crap outta me sometimes.
Thus the Chris Titus icon-- preach on, o wise dinosaur-head. No more wussy shall I be.
But seriously. "Cartoon store."