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7 Surprising Gifts From Performing Comedy on Stage

​​In Nov 2012, I joined an IMPROV comedy class for a lark. The class was fun yet challenging for an introvert like me. Within weeks of training, we as students performed on stage with a live audience. It was frightening, exciting & fun at the same time. During rehearsals, I was barely able to recite a single line. Thanks to my comedy coach Divya Palat for her faith, confidence & amazing training I pulled off a good show. This gave me incredible confidence. Comedy helped bring the much-needed lightness to my career situation - as I worked to transition from corporate, at the time.

In the next few years, I progressed from improvisational comedy to stand-up comedy. What started as a hobby led me to find my passion for public speaking. I performed professionally at numerous shows & at open mics too.

I performed several times on the coveted stage of the iconic NCPA Experimental Theatre. This was beyond a dream come true for me.

Friends & family often ask me why I didn’t pursue comedy as a full-time career.

I started performing comedy for fun & as a hobby. Even though I excelled at it, the idea wasn’t to make it a career. I loved coaching more. But comedy has always had a special place. While I’m not performing on stage now, I have an audience with family & friends who enjoy the light-heartedness it brings.

There are creative activities we indulge in for sheer joy. Some don’t need to become a wage-paying career. But they fill our souls. The joy & enthusiasm we experience spill over into our work. Performing comedy did just that for me.

There’s so much I gained from performing comedy besides a bunch of fun friends. I’m sharing 7 of these surprising gifts. Hope these inspire you to take up a creative activity outside of work.

COMEDY FLEXED MY SPONTANEITY MUSCLES

I’m an introverted intuitive. Thinking or responding on the spot is not a sport I excel at. In conversations with family, friends or colleagues, I often come back with a fantastic repartee 2-3 days later. Certainly that doesn’t help.

Training in improvisational comedy (IMPROV) tremendously helped in kindling my spontaneity. It has sharpened my ability to think on my feet. That’s made conversations more fun and is incredibly helpful in business meetings.

Sampada Chaudhari performing comedy on stage

COMEDY FILLS MY CREATIVE WELL

In her celebrated book The Artist’s Way, author Julia Cameron talks about ‘filling your creative well’.

She says we as creative folks must replenish our creative resources as we draw from them to create art.

Even though I don’t perform comedy any longer, I enjoy watching comedy. And I watch lots of it - from English language to local language comedy. I devour it all.

Watching comedy is a self-nourishing activity. It ‘fills my creative well’. So I go back to work feeling full and inspired.

ENCOURAGES FAMILY BONDING

My passion for watching comedy has turned out to be contagious. My family has joined me in watching comedy and that’s further strengthened the family bond.

It has also awakened my family’s sense of humour. So there’s a comedy track that’s always running at home, even while we’re not watching comedy. This helps keep the mood light at home and it gets carried into work too.

STEPPED UP MY APPRECIATION FOR COMEDY

Now as a former comedienne, when I watch other comedians perform I’m able to admire their craft with fine appreciation. I understand what it takes to conceive a comedy set, write a script, learn your lines and perform live in front of an audience. And also get the laughs. I relish and watch their performances with incredible admiration. I take that inspiration into my work.

UNVEILED MY PASSION FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING & CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS

Public speaking ranks amongst some of the highest fears in the world.

Performing comedy made me incredibly comfortable on stage. As a coach, I began conducting workshops at coworking spaces with live audiences. Conducting workshops added a new dimension to my coaching practice. I’ve been able to take my work to larger audiences and interact with amazing new people.

Sampada Chaudhari's talk at the Ministry of New

LEARNT TO LEARN MY LINES & PREPARE FOR A PERFORMANCE

When I began performing stand-up comedy, I found it incredibly challenging to learn a 7-12 min set. For my comedy coach Divya Palat, learning lines was a non-negotiable. We were not allowed to perform in class or at rehearsals, with a script in hand. We had to learn our lines. Period. This tough love groomed me to learn my lines and now helps immensely in my speaking engagements as a coach.

Performing on stage has also trained me to rehearse before a speaking gig. Even if I’m performing for the 100th time. I’m immensely grateful to my comedy training to instill stage confidence in me.

FULFILLED A LIFELONG DREAM

I was a shy wallflower in my school days. I aspired to be like the smart kids in school who were out there performing - elocution, dance, drama and sport.

I was particularly envious of the kids who excelled at elocution. I watched them spellbound and in rapt attention as they performed at the famed school hall to thunderous applause. I craved that for myself. However, I always got eliminated in the first round of selections.

Sampada Chaudhari performing comedy

As a child, I harboured the dream of speaking to a large mesmerised audience and resounding cheer.

Performing stand-up comedy fulfilled this long-cherished dream. I got numerous chances to perform solo on large stages to encouraging audiences. I even received rewards and prizes.

Even though I don’t perform comedy any longer, comedy has given me a lifelong gift of contentment, joy and satisfaction. It fills up my soul and keeps me in good humour and good health.

Is there a creative activity you’ve engaged in outside of work that’s helped you grow? Would love to hear your stories. Please feel free to share in the comments below.

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