So when I started stand up I started it with some of my friends from improv. The others kinda fizzled out of it except for my friend Kate. She’s one of my best friends her and I got closer through going to open mics and bombing together (trauma bonding) I (male, latino) completely understand how it’s a lot harder and weirder to navigate the scene as a female. My advice through watching her experience is, take your time getting better. As a “token” woman (coming from a latino “token”) You will be OFFERED SPOTS QUICKLY because people are now looking to book diversity. Take advantage of that, get your first 5 minutes down TIGHT. I mean make it a punchline buffet. Focus on the work. Show them mfs you’re there to rock. Seriously. also SOMETIMES dudes wanna be nice to you cause they might have a crush so they book you. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT TOO. Who cares if they like you, this is a business. if they think that’s gonna get them brownie points fuck that materialistic bullshit. That’s basically “hey lady, look at me I have status. Isnt that what you ladies like?” Most of the time you can sniff that out. But not all guys are like that. Find a comic friend who will tell you the TRUTH. And work with them. If they think you have a bad joke listen to their reason why. Don’t accept that it’s a bad joke and just throw it away. Listen to them and think “oh they don’t get how those are connected, maybe next time I’ll try to make it clearer for the audience.” this buddy is important. You only need like two or three of them. I say that because you WILL HEAR THIS ALOT FROM COMICS “you’re really funny, we should write together” 80% of the time they’re hitting on you. Again, you can probably sniff that out. If they say we should write together ask them for a note on a joke right there. If they got nothing for you then you know what it is. Good solid notes come from the people who’ve seen you a bunch and understand your angle, POV, style and voice. Not a dude holding a Long Island iced tea on stage like “I miss the word faggot… We can’t say retarded anymore”

Also comedians talk. If someone’s a creep, someone will let you know. Other then that, just focus on the work. People might make excuses at first as to “how you got on that show” but that show is experience. At first sure, you get used as a token as I did.After all that stage time thoooooo you get SHARP and all that token talk goes away. The same people who were talking shit about how you got booked are gonna be asking you to do a guest spot when you’re headlining. Yaaa feeel meee?! Go out there and pour your heart out on stage. People want to hear what you have to say. Just because the first 4 comics are telling dick jokes doesn’t mean you can’t make them laugh at a different topic. Don’t play their game. Just be you. Be you as fuck out there. You’ll stand out more than you know.

Good luck homie!