I saw some of President Obama’s recent roast of the Republican Party and thought he came off as a seasoned Insult Comic.  Here’s my impression.

Here’s a set I tried out at the weekly Superego open mic.  I took material from a previous post and tried a new take on it.

Here’s some choice segments from a standup set I tried at SuperEgo’s December 24th open mic at Broadway Comedy Club.  I have deleted out for my benefit and yours my constant checking of my notes as well as other elements which may have cast me in a bad light.  

I really enjoy doing standup and I think it’s one of those things that take a lot of time of actually doing it as opposed to studying how to do it.  It’s such a brief art form and reliant on the audience that I I just have to do it.   Over and over again.  The open mics can be painful when you forget what you say or don’t get laughs but these failures–I HOPE–help me develop a thicker skin as well as a technique.

I’ve found out that I have more fun developing an “idea” of what I want to do as opposed to a script.  The “idea” has to be detailed and rehearsed a few times, but I find if I try to memorize jokes, I get on stage and just recite jokes.  It looks and feels stiff.  if I go up there with a little bit of danger and room to breath I can “be in the moment.” I can think while I’m performing as opposed to just remembering.  But this also gives me a larger chance of having nothing to say once I’m in front of people.  It’s like life.

Wow, this youtube video description is really pompous.

Here are some clips of me working out some standup bits at open mics.  I make fun of such sacred things as The Bible, President Obama, and Facebook.

Due to popular demand I have once again decided to offer my famous improv class.

Course: Improv Level Yes!
Prerequesites: Improv Level Zip, Improv Level Zap, Improv Level Zop (or equivalent)
Class Size: Limited to 27
Price: 300 Euros (Paypal accepted, but please add 27% to cover fees and snacks)
Instructor: Jeremiah Murphy, B.A. and 30 years old

Do you like to make people laugh? This seven and a half week class will examine the art of improv through my own perspective. Using games that involve clapping, taking off one’s shoes, slapping the floor with open palms, kindergartenesque hip-hoppery, and finger snaps, we as a class will gain confidence and comedic skill. Please dress in jeans and twice worn undershirts. Be prepared to move around under fluorescent lighting.

After this class you will be able to:

• Improvise a scene
• Form a backline
• Sweep edit
• Cook duck
• Play theatre games with less embarrassment than before
• Drive Class D Vehicles on Interstate 30
• Pay for more classes
• Eat Dairy
• Hang out at The Triple Crown
• Complain about how I talk too much in between exercises
• Expound the virtues of art

The class will culminate in a 16 minute show at my apartment for my cat.

About your instructor: JEREMIAH MURPHY traveled to Chicago once in 1999.

Registration Process:

1. Please prepare an audition monologue that describes something that happened to you or your roommate using irony and sarcasm.
2. Pay the course fee.
3. Join us!
4. Pay for another 7 exciting levels.