Dear Crossing Over,

Once I decided that I wanted to do a solo show, I took a writing class and my teacher told me to just start writing stories.  I had some stories I'd always wanted to tell, so I wrote those first then since my comedy material comes from my life experience, some of it naturally fit and added humor.  In some cases I had a chance to expand beyond the joke to the pain from which it comes.  It's been a fascinating journey. 

My first draft was a collection of these stories and didn't really have a through line, but after having a big birthday bash for myself, I realized that I had an interesting setting for a solo show.  I reworked the stories, added some new ones and created a beginning, a middle and an end.

There are bits of my stand-up in the script and my experience as a comic has definitely prepared me to be able to hold my own on stage in a theatrical solo production.

The show is called FIFTY! It Doesn't Look This Good On Everybody, a fictionalized version of an actual event. It went on to win a solo show festival and is now running for 12 performances at The Actors Group in North Hollywood.

So, start from where you are.  Look at your comedy material and develop the story behind the joke.  Keep writing, you'll find the through line. Create a setting, then tell your story!!

IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE IN '09!!

Email your questions about acting, comedy, or solo show production to bitsnpieces@verizon.net and I'll answer them in the next Show Biz Tip of the Month.