From paper to stage: An interview with Dave Glardon

by Tim Bete

Humor columnist, Dave Glardon, recently made the move from writing to performing. He's been experimenting with stand-up comedy and has had some early success. During lunch a few weeks ago, Dave filled me in on his recent exploits.

TB: What gave you the idea to move from writing to stand up comedy?

DG: I’ve thought about it for a few years, but it was Ray Hanania who finally talked me into it.  Ray is a syndicated columnist and stand-up comic.  He read a few of my columns and said I should give it a try. This business is all about exposure.  Anybody will publish a star, but nobody is willing to create one. As writers, we have to do everything possible to put ourselves in front of the public.  Stand-up comedy is just one more way to do that.  It’s also a lot of fun!

TB: Were you able to use your columns for material or did you need to rewrite most of it?

DG: I tend to use columns as a basis for my act, but it’s not a word-for-word exchange.  Some words just go over better in print.  On the other hand, I can use words onstage that papers won’t print.  I still keep it basically clean, but my act is a little more PG than

my column.  And I also write some material exclusively for the stage.  The main thing is to keep it tight. You have to edit even more than in writing, because a live audience needs to laugh every twenty seconds. Too much setup can ruin an otherwise good joke.

TB: How did you prepare for your first night onstage?

DG: I practiced.  Then I practiced again.  I practiced with a tape recorder, then in front of a video camera. You can learn a lot watching yourself on video.  Body language doesn’t matter when I’m at the keyboard, but it’s the difference between victory and defeat onstage.  It’s also important to practice speaking slowly.  You have to give the audience time to think and respond.

That first night, I was a nervous wreck.  Come to think of it, I always am.  But the second I take the stage, I relax.  Practice makes all the difference in the world.  It also helps to go onstage stone cold sober.  Save that double shot of bourbon for after the show.

TB: What was the most difficult part of the transition from print to stage?

DG: The hardest part was just making the decision to do it.  I’ve read my columns in public dozens of times, so the fear of performing wasn’t as bad as it might

have been.  Let’s face it, we “perform” every time we send our work out to the masses.  The nice thing about reading or performing to a live audience is that you get instantaneous feedback.  Either they laugh or they don’t.  Still, it took some soul searching to work up the nerve.  I guess in the end, it comes down to how badly you really want it.

TB: Where can writers find places to try stand-up comedy?

DG: Almost every major city has a comedy club, and most have a regularly scheduled open-mic night.  This is where new performers break in, and working professionals test new material.  Call the club for details.  The audiences are generally tolerant of beginners, but they’re also tougher to crack.  If you can make an open-mic crowd laugh, you’ve got what it takes.

There are other opportunities, depending on your material and experience.  Churches, schools and colleges, local festivals, trade conferences, business lunches, and nightclubs are a few possibilities.  Just find out who’s in charge.  But I’d still recommend trying comedy clubs first.  Most other places will expect a more polished act, and that takes experience.

TB: Were there mistakes you made from which other writers could learn?

DG: I haven’t been at it long enough to know what’s a mistake and what isn’t.  But I’ve watched several others, and I can tell you what doesn’t work.  First of all, never use somebody else’s material.  Audiences will crucify a plagiarist.  Also, I’ve seen several

comics do the same exact routine every time they go onstage.  If you’re worth watching, expect that some people will come back to see you again.  Keep it fresh.  Also, give your audience time to respond.Most club audiences are drinking, so they need a second or two to react.  I tape every performance, and it’s amazing how many times the audience tried to laugh just as I started talking over them.

TB: Where do you plan to go from here? What's your ultimate goal?

DG: For now, it’s stage time every chance I get.  I’ll perform anyplace that will let me.  Aside from that, I’m just seeing where the road leads.  I still write, but it takes more.  There aren’t too many people making a living as a freelance columnist these days.

You have to take advantage of every possible venue, and public speaking is one of the most important. Stand-up comedy is another dimension, and I believe it will play an important role in my future as a humorist.  I don’t know that I’ll ever “make it” as a

stand-up comic, but for now I’m having the time of my life!  And isn’t that really what it’s all about?

You can read Dave Glardon's humor column, as well as see where he will be performing next, at www.daveglardon.com.