(Re)starting in Portland, Maine.

[Spigot]

A little bit of context - two years back, I signed up for some standup comedy lessons from Tim Ferrel at the Comedy Connection there. I was easily the youngest person there, at 19 years old, with everyone else at the very least 15 years older than me.

But I managed to fit in, and even modify my more historically/cerebrally focused humor after being told flat out by Tim that the stuff may be good, but I had to work with not only the audience, but what the audience perceived of me - specifically, a young kid with a babyface that looked even younger.

I managed to do well enough at the graduation show to be one of the few invited back to do a legit showcase, but some bad experiences with open mics - specifically, finding that 1. I was consistently bombing - whether it was just my material, or that the audience just weren't taking me seriously/didn't know how to react as I was still the clearly youngest of the group each time and 2. There was a metric assload of open mics I apparently couldn't get into because I wasn't legal to drink left me fairly frustrated.

So here I am, two years later, without the age problems so much, and I'm wondering if anyone here knows the scene better for a guy trying to take a second crack at comedy. I know there's not exactly a lot of standup happening in Maine, but you gotta start somewhere, and it might as well be at home.

[scamboogah]

Ah, picking up the pieces at 21...

I think it's inspirational that you're willing to ignore the fact that your best years are behind you and give it a shot anyway.

[Bucky_Sinister]

I know there's not exactly a lot of standup happening in Maine, but you gotta start somewhere, and it might as well be at home.

The longer you stay there, the harder it will be to leave. Just sayin'.

[Alex Mac]

The Slainte Wine Bar and Lounge should still be doing their open mic. If you havn't gone there before, I would check it out. I don't know the frequency of the shows but check in and ask. Cool place.

[Me, The JerBear]

I, too, am restarting my comedic endeavors, after a nine year hiatus. I was fired from a job because my employers at the olive garden thought my treatment of their birthday song was 'obscene' and that gave me the motivation to go back onstage. Hallelujah. Any reason will do.