Somebody Get a Wig

 
To work in comedy is many things:
exciting
hilarious
exhilarating
difficult
good wigs
late nights
loud bars
free beers
never stable
full of gossip

endless hours writing sketches
only to have them forgotten
minutes spent on a throwaway joke
that lands much better

Juggling Unicyclist by Teresa Bergen

being gutted to hear
I didn’t get it
again
and again
and again

casting calls
my self esteem’s worst nightmare
plain,
not too pretty,
bigger,
wouldn’t turn a head
someone reads these
and thinks of me

Sometimes
feeling like a fraud
what’s even funny
how do I write

When it works
incredible
adrenaline rush
laughter from the audience
“That was amazing!”
“Thanks for coming”
calm on the outside
bursting with excitement inside

I’m meant to do this
I know it

moments later
feeling awkward
out of place
debit card is declined
drunk woman in the bathroom
she likes my lipstick
she shit talks my show to her friend

take the bus home
replay the show in my head
fall asleep
wake up the next day
start the cycle all over again

part of something
a community
a troupe
understood
frustrated beyond belief

tender moments
warm embraces
tears
surprising friendships
kindness
laughter
support
and howling at the moon
 

Listen to Samantha Adams read “Somebody Get a Wig.”