I follow a thought, lines, sets, segways approach to writing my shows. The other way to write a set is the mindmap approach, where a premise is at the center and every dimension is added, and the content gets stronger with every additional tag.
1. How did you discover your love for making people laugh and get into comedy?
I always enjoyed conversations, and my friends, colleagues, and relatives always used to tell me that they left the conversation more energetic than how they felt before the conversation. I was appreciated for my wit and wordplay both in personal and professional spaces. This was further validated when I wrote an award-winning skit at my workplace. I got exposed to live stand-up comedy when I attended one of Mr. Praveen Kumar's shows in Bangalore, and when I saw stand-up comedian Kenny Sebastian host a full annual day evening at my office around 2016/17. Connecting the dots, I thought it would be good to try stand-up comedy and performed at my first open mic at Jagriti Theater Campus in Whitefield, Bangalore, in July 2017.
2. In stand-up and improv, how do you balance scripted humor with spontaneous wit for an engaging performance?
In stand-up, 90% of my show is scripted, rehearsed at open mics, and sometimes strengthened through tester shows. The variation between shows with the same title will be based on certain current happenings and trends, and pop culture suitable for the city where I perform. Crowd-work genre in my shows is limited.
I follow a thought, lines, sets, segways approach to writing my shows. The other way to write a set is the mindmap approach, where a premise is at the center and every dimension is added, and the content gets stronger with every additional tag.
When it comes to improv, jamming sessions help in improving spontaneity and play by the guiding principles of the art form. The beauty of improv is that the rules of the game will end up creating hilarious performances more often than not. That trust is vital. Pressure to be funny is something that needs to be consciously removed from our heads before an improv performance. An engaging performance in improv is a function of willingness to shine as a team and not as an individual.
3. What's your go-to strategy for handling unexpected moments or hecklers during live performances?
I have tried a couple of response techniques. The first is to be nice and adapt the improv method and add to the heckler's comment and build on it. The second method is to tell them that their humor is fantastic and offer the mic. The former approach is a double-edged sword as the audience member sometimes thinks me humoring the interruption as an encouragement and does not guarantee an end to it. Latter, more often than not, works better.
4. For aspiring comedians, what's a crucial lesson in connecting with diverse audiences?
Attend as many open mics as possible in diverse settings as is feasible. Performing at open mics in restaurants, pubs, hookah bars, and pure performance venues will provide exposure to performing to and engaging with diverse audiences. The extra challenge of making heads turn with your humor in open mics is what toughens up a comedian and builds what's referred to as stand-up comedy stamina. Some days won't go your way, like in every other profession. Accepting that and bouncing back for the next mic is what builds the resilience in a comedian. Every up-and-coming comedian should also reach out to those performing solo specials and seek opening spots. Opening for a comic is a great way to get exposed to large unfamiliar audiences, and given it's the start of the show and the role is to warm up the audience, engaging with them with simple questions and conversations is a fantastic stepping stone for connecting with diverse audiences.
One important step I have personally undertaken to connect with diverse audiences is to perform some of my shows with a sign language interpreter alongside on stage (first in India) and perform to an inclusive audience including people who have a hearing impairment. I deliberately don't perform exclusively for people with disabilities but shows that have a blend of both people with and without disabilities to promote true inclusion. I also try my best to perform only at venues that have accessibility for those who use wheelchairs. Making inclusion commonplace in performing arts is my mission as a stand-up comedian.
5. How do you stay creatively inspired in the evolving landscape of comedy?
Firstly, I believe a sense of humor is a superpower. As a stand-up comedian, one-ninth of the navarasas of an audience, that is laughter, is in your control for an hour or more. That is power as well as a responsibility. That thirty minutes of high post a good show is what inspires me creatively to bring my next set of jokes to the stage.
On the technical front, analyzing the ingredients of my show, for example, how much is made up of wordplay, list of three, premise and punchlines, etc., helps me hone my skills as a comedian. Also, there is a conscious effort I put into getting out of self-deprecation mode and infusing important social messaging in my specials, and that keeps me going.
6. Outside of work, reflecting on your downtime, could you share your favorite book and how it has influenced your perspective?
To be honest, I am not a voracious reader. And that makes it easy to choose a favorite:). "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," I think is for all who are aiming higher in life. Specific facets that I have applied from the book are 'Think Win-Win', 'Synergize', and 'Begin with the End in Mind'. The first two groom influencing skills and create endless possibilities, especially in an ambiguous industry like the performing arts. The latter helps in creating a visualization of the dream or goal and then chartering the best path to achieve the same. One facet that nudges me to do better is 'Sharpen the saw' to get me abreast with the latest and greatest in industries and domains of my choice.
BIO:
Interviewed By- Mishika Goel
Edited By- Pragya Lamba
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