The Secret to Staying Happy in Your Comedy Career

I've been performing stand up comedy for twenty-five years and this is long enough to see comedy careers go up and comedy careers go down. Simply checking out a comedian's timeline on Facebook will give a quick peek at the cycle of stardom and the toll it takes on a performing career.  The most desperate/depressing posts are generally by comedians who made it "big" at the start of their career and feel it will never get that good again.  They spend the rest of their life floundering as they try to regain that feeling of greatness achieved by way of a coveted television spot or sitcom.  Of course, there are also the comics who feel they've never really "made it" and traveled a misguided road only to be met with one disappointment after the another.

How is it possible to stay happy and focused without encountering a lifelong roller coaster ride of those ups and downs?  I can tell you that I see that answer with complete clarity.

First, ask yourself, "What is a comedian?"  The answer most people give is quite obvious. "A comedian is someone who makes people laugh."

It is not complicated.  A comedian is not described as a "star"; a comedian is not described as someone who has their own sitcom; a comedian is not described as someone who has the most YouTube hits or followers on Twitter.

A comedian is someone who makes people laugh.  If you take your own ego out of the equation and appreciate the fact that you were given the awesome gift of making people laugh and feel happy, you will learn to appreciate and love your craft regardless of ups and downs.  A comedian changes a person's life for the better.  How fortunate we are as comedians to be given this gift.  Comedy is about your audience.  They are the true stars of your own show.  If a comedian can appreciate this very basic concept, they will always feel successful and blessed and no longer be a victim of their endless internal struggle.

The sweetest sound to me are the words, "I haven't laughed this hard in years!"  That is truly the sound of success.

Female Clean Comedian - Sally Edwards
ComedyBySally.com

Christian Comedy - 90 Year Old Grandma Dances to Stage and Diapers Baby Pig

This is the reason why I love performing as a female Christian Comedian.  Here is a video of a 90-year old grandma who was sitting in the audience at my Christian Comedy show in Louisville, KY.  I don't think she ever expected to be the star of the comedy show that night. When I pulled her from the audience to come on stage to diaper a stuffed pig, she grabbed her cane and danced little steps to the stage.  She then diapered that baby stuffed animal like a pro! This senior lady had a positive attitude and lit up the room.

Some Christian women would never see a comedy show unless a Christian Comedian came their church.  I am so happy to be able to share my funny world and laugh with them.

Christian Comedy - Performed Near Louisville, KY

ComedyBySally.com

Radio Interviews and "Winging It"

As a corporate comedian who performs clean comedy for women's groups I know the fear, stage fright and insecurities that arise that first time on stage.  However, years of experience in front of new audiences have given me the tools to handle unexpected elements that occur during a live performance. When I was asked to appear on a WGN Radio station in Chicago, I thought my years of stage experience would make an on-air conversation a fairly stress-free experience.  However, I learned that I would need to implement a new set of skills to make radio conversation both comfortable and fun.

Generally, radio stations ask you come prepared for the interview with a list of questions for the host to ask.  Comedians most often give questions that provide set-ups for jokes.  The interviewer asks the question and the comedian has something funny to say.  Up until five years ago, that was the only type of radio interview I had encountered.  That all changed the day I was booked on WGN Radio in Chicago with host Steve Cochran.  When I walked into the studio and extended my hand to give Steve my questions, he looked at me and very casually said, "Hey let's wing it."  My stomach turned a full circle at the thought of being interviewed as if I was totally unprepared!

That interview made me a believer in impromptu interviews.  Rather than responding to Steve Cochran's questions in a semi-robotic fashion, I was able to totally be myself and enjoy the moment.  I also realized that speaking on the radio is a lot like talking to your girlfriends on the phone - just chat.  The only difference is that thousands of people are listening.  That makes your thoughts, ideas and humor seem tremendously important!  Since my interview on WGN, I am hooked on "winging it."  The experience could not have been more fun!

Female Christian Comedians and Christian Television

I am thrilled that Christian television is now welcoming female Christian Comedians on their faith-based shows.  Yesterday I had the fantastic experience of appearing on "Voices in the Wilderness" - a Christian television show that invites guests whose lives have been changed as a result of their faith.  Having documented such a personal incident in my new book "Comedy Mom - My Funny Stand-up Life", I was asked to be a guest on the show because I bring my Christian comedy to women's groups.  My own story focuses on my early efforts to be a professional stand-up comedian who performs clean comedy.  During my years as a new clean comedian, I suffered terrible stage-fright. However, my life transformed on a Sunday morning in church the day I heard the words, "Go with the fear! If God gives you a gift, you are meant to share it."

This singular message gave me the strength to return to the comedy stage as a Christian woman comedian and conquer my stage-fright.  For years, it was a continuing constant challenge.  Eventually, my fears gave way to strength and I am now a very successful funny clean Christian Comedian and I have been performing clean comedy shows for over 20 years.  I urge everyone to listen to your inner voice and share your gifts even though it may be a struggle.

Many thanks to my gracious host, Maria Goldstein, for her own strength in helping others with her shared gift of a wonderful faith-based Christian television show.

Maria Goldstein and Funny Female Christian Comedian Sally Edwards