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Kathryn Mayer • Writing Out Loud

I write stuff down. writer • humorist • activist

A newbie attempts stand-up comedy

April 27, 2016 by Kate Mayer 17 Comments

Remember the one about the writer who went to a writing conference and attempted stand-up comedy for the first and most likely only time?

That would be me at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, in the humor writing capital of the world, Dayton, Ohio.

I was hand-selected (out of a hat, randomly) and only continued onto the stage under the careful handholding and kick-in-the-ass by comedienne Wendy Liebman, who is apparently a very big deal but a very small woman so I wasn’t threatened. Too much.

She told me I couldn’t bring notes. I told her I couldn’t remember my kids names or what day I put a tampon in or where my car was parked, so she caved and said one discreet index card.

When I cried, she told me one page.

So I modified my notes to make it one page.open mic stand up comic

This is in my back pocket just in case I lose my phone. Pretty sly, using my phone. Can barely tell I’m reading, right? Sneaky sneaky me.

Here it is: proof I climbed on stage. Proof people laughed. Proof we can all do what we are afraid to do – at least once.


Did you change your name?
What to do now to change future of gun violence

Comments

  1. Lisa Labella says

    April 28, 2016 at 2:11 am

    SO FUNNY!! I want to see the rest!!!!

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      April 28, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      You can see all the stand-up acts here: https://www.youtube.com/user/BombeckWorkshop/videos

      Reply
  2. Kristi says

    April 28, 2016 at 4:58 am

    Just as funny the second time around! I still love it! And you!

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      April 28, 2016 at 10:38 am

      Thank you roomie!! 2018??

      Reply
  3. Robin K says

    April 28, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    Hilarious. Totally rocked it!

    Love the, I’m presuming guy, that raises his hand during the bit about men in the bathroom!

    SO GOOD. Do more.

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      April 28, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      Public poopers are always happy to brag about it! Thanks for the kind words my friend!

      Reply
  4. Veronica James says

    April 28, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    You. Were. AMAZING! Can’t BELIEVE this was your first go. You’re a natural!

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      April 28, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      You are very nice! Absolutely my first, and probably my last! If I could have only read my notes!!

      Reply
  5. Cathy Lawdanski says

    April 28, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Great job! I think you should do it again. You are good!

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      April 28, 2016 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks for thinking so!

      Reply
  6. Gabi Coatsworth says

    May 16, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Went to a state school! Hilarious…

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      May 16, 2016 at 3:03 pm

      thx for laughing. thanks for getting it!

      Reply
  7. mandelynn says

    May 19, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    OH MY Gosh you are amazing. I have empathy heart palpitations for you! I am so very very happy you did it, and did so great!!

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      May 20, 2016 at 12:07 am

      Thx, I’m glad I did it now, but def puked a little in my mouth then!

      Reply
  8. Marcia @ Menopausal Mother says

    May 28, 2016 at 4:05 am

    You did such a great job at EBWW—it was an honor to get to see you perform, my friend! <3

    Reply
    • Kate Mayer says

      May 28, 2016 at 8:56 am

      Couldn’t have done it w/o room 473!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Blocking dear old cousin eloise from a facebook feeding frenzy - Kathryn Mayer says:
    February 19, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    […] Kathy, Erma Bombeck wouldn’t use that disgraceful language and either should […]

    Reply

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About Kathryn Mayer

Kathryn Mayer

An irreverent storyteller with a foul mouth and big heart, Kathryn Mayer (aka Kathy and/or Kate) is a writer, humorist, and activist writing out loud with humor and grace about little life moments with big ripples, including the space between parenting and aging parents, social issues, angsty reflections of midlife, and, sigh, gun humpers. Still. Sometimes a big deal, sometimes not Mayer is a national award-winning columnist, according to the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and her essays have been recognized as Voice of the Year … Read More Here...

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