I’ve been doing stand-up comedy for the last nine years. However, the market in Louisville, KY is rediculously small. There is one comedy club in town.
If I want to do any better than just paying the bills (which, truth be told, it’s getting harder to do), I’m going to have to relocate. It’s that simple. Chicago, Denver, Orlando. Someplace like that. New York or LA maybe down the road.
The delimma comes from the fact that, if I relocate, I’ll have to essentially start my career over by logging time at “open mike” nights and the like. Which means breaking down and getting a day job.
Shoud I do it? I’ve lived in this area my whole life. However, I’m increasingly growing dissatisfied with it. I’ve actually grown to hate it. But I know the area. I’m an almost 30-year old male with no wife, no kids, no girlfriend. I wouldn’t have a lot of people keeping me here.
well, Superdude, sounds like you’ve got no real ties holding you back, so that’s as good a reason as any. The other thought would be how easy could you return? Once you hit somewhere new, it may be that you miss your roots. Of course, you might just slap yourself in the head and say I should have moved years ago…
Go for it. I’ve lived in the same small town my entire life. Not that I don’t love it, but I wish I’d been more adventurous earlier in life. Now I have too many ties to just take off and move around. Do it now while you have no ties to hold you down. That will come soon enough.
Speaking as someone that’s relocated 8 times before I was 18 I say go for it. There’s nothing quite like showing up in a new place where nobody knows you and and you know nobody* to give you with a fresh start.
*I was moving around with my immediate family, but they don’t count since I’m talking about friends and social circles :).
And BTW, surely you must have realized some time ago that Louisville is not the place to pursue a career in career in comedy. Is there some other factor in play here?
If you move, forget Orlando and Denver. Chicago, LA and New York are your only real choices. And Chicago only because it has Second City. Any place else and you’ll be doomed to repeat the cycle of Louisville.
Is this thing on?
I say since Chicago is relatively close to you, you should go for it! Sure, you’ll have to suffer in the beginning, but it will be worth it in the long run!
Well, I amuse the hell out of myself. And I’ve been told by people that have seen my shows that I’m very funny.
**
Yeah, I knew that on a subconcious level. The only other factor was just the familiar streets and faces. What I call “small-town inertia.”
Denver I mentioned beause it’s a “hotbed” for improv comedy, which is a style I love doing. Orlando, I’d heard was up-and-coming.
I don’t only do comedy clubs; I’ve been able to survive by doing shows for corporations. That sort of thing. But Louisville IS a small town, and I hate it.
So you’ve been able to support yourself solely by doing comedy in a small market like Louisville? Wow. That’s very impressive.
Of course you should relocate. It just sounds like you have to work up the gumption to do it.
I know absolutely nothing about comedy, but here’s a thought: What if you moved to a smaller market that’s within driving distance of a huge market. If you were in Denver, you’d pretty much have to fly to do any gigs in bigger cities. If you were in San Diego, you’d be in a pretty big market already, and be able work in L.A. too. Or even Phoenix or Vegas.
Yeah, you should move to San Diego. I don’t know how the comedy scene is, but I hear the weather’s divine.
Is there a big or biggish city where you have friends or family? Maybe you could go visit and check out the scene a little bit (and get a sense of cost of living, etc.) before taking the plunge.
Sounds like you know what you’re gonna do, though –
However, the upside is, if you relocate to a city with a bigger market, once you do your time, you have a much better shot at an actual career. Bite the bullet and do it. Louisville is going nowhere for you, and you know that. Be brave.
You are 50 years old. Your act went down the tube 12 years ago, just because of being in a small market. You have a job that you don’t really like. Are you going to ever ask yourself “Why didn’t I do it?” **and have a satisfactory answer? **
You’re right. I think it was just a case of needing to hear impartial input. If I asked my family, they’d tell me to stay. Same with my friends, even though I almost never see them.
I think I’d already made up my mind, just needed to hear that it seemed like the right thing to do.
Now…Chicago seems like the likliest point. At least initially. I love the town, and it seems to love me. Of course, it could just be humoring me and faking orgasms, but I’m a guy and wouldn’t know the difference.
Dude, go for it. What’s the worst that can happen? That you’d be forced to come back in a year or so? Well, you’re already living that ‘worst’. There are better chances of getting better opportunities in those areas than not.
Also, if you move to NY city, then you can always live in NJ and commute to NYC whenever you need to. I’m sure there are similar commuting facilities in other big metors as well.
You know, Wolfe, you’re right. I think I’m heading to Chicago first. It’s always been a dream of mine to play Second City. I’d shoot myself for not giving myself the chance.
By the way, if anyone’s interested, I’ve been having a lot of family problems anyway, which can be read here. In a nutshell, my mother’s become an alcoholic that I don’t even know anymore, my dad and his dad are dead, and I never really see my friends, anyway. What’s keeping me here?
Another vote here to go for it. A fresh start is always interesting at the very least, and at the very best can be life-affirming and quite profitable. Don’t give up on places like Sacramento, San Diego, Phoenix or any other mid-to-large size city with a college age/20 something crowd.
