Opportunities abound for anyone willing to stand up and test their talent (and nerves) before the real-time, on-the-spot, in-your-face feedback of live audiences, says
Byron Beck, founder of Milwaukee-based
Kick Me Comedy.
“Comics can get on a stage every week at least once and at the present time several times a week,” Beck tells MilwaukeeComedy. “I have friends in New York and L.A. that have to fight for spots on stage since there are so many people. Here, you can get on a stage if you want to. We have quite a few comics in town, but not so many you have to get in a line in the afternoon hoping for a spot.”
One welcoming spot is
Rounding Third, 6317 W. Bluemound Road, where Kick Me Comedy hosts an
open mic at
7 p.m. every Sunday. The sessions began a little more than two years ago to fill what Beck saw as a need.
“The hope for it was mainly to have a regular place for comics to go and get on stage every week,” Beck says. “I think it worked, since in two years we have
only had to cancel the open mic four times.” And those were only when some big sporting event – like that Super Bowl thingy – aced it out.
Attendance varies, but on average 10 to 20 comics turn out for the open mics weekly, Beck says. Sometimes the performers outnumber non-performers in the house.
“It all depends on who comes to see their friends perform, for the most part,” Beck says. “Although over the past two years we do have a following of regulars who come in to check out the open mic – comedy groupies if you will.” It’s all contributing to a local awareness of and appreciation for comedy.
Beck himself had been performing comedy and variety work – juggling, stilt-walking, character work – before moving to Milwaukee from Chicago. He started Kick Me Comedy in 2005 to continue entertaining and include other artists.
The Daily Beast recently called
Milwaukee the 7th-funniest city in America, but Beck sees comedy here “kind of an underground scene” much better known among performing artists than the general public so far. But that also gives local comics chances to develop before the audiences get much bigger and more demanding. In fact, he credits a supportive and relaxed atmosphere – starting with the venue owner – for sustaining Kick Me Comedy’s open mic since it started in February 2008, at the onset of the Great Recession.
As for upcoming and wannabe comics, Beck has this advice:
“Just relax and throw out there what you think is funny. The audience will let you know and as far as I know no one has died performing standup comedy. Also, stay true to what you think is funny. Don’t let other comics influence what you want your act to be. Keep it as original and unique as possible.”
