Do You Ever Take The Stage High or Drunk?

No. When I first started comedy, I needed a shot to even get through a set. Then for the first 2 years I did comedy, I "needed" to have a few drinks before I performed. Then I watched a set I did when I thought I was crushing but was too intoxicated to have sell-awareness that i was not doing as well as I thought.

From that point on, I never drank before a set, unless it was the "Midnight" show at Laugh Factory, where everyone was intoxicated and I thought I could "match" the energy for a while but I don't do that anymore either. For me, alcohol was a crutch to calm my nerves and help me perform but in reality, it lessened my awareness of what was happening. I missed so many social cues or opportunities to engage with the audience instead of just giving a speech.

As for being high, never. I once did a music show when I was in college playing in a band after a few hits and I was so in my head that I could not perform. I would play all the parts correctly, or as correctly as I did sober, but I was not bringing anything to the table, in terms of stage presence.

Great question. Keep em coming! hashtag#standup hashtag#comedy hashtag#formerlawyer

Photo by Connor Daly