Ok I let all my frustrations out in that last post. I wrote the friend who is helping me with this show and told her to listen to the post. She sent me a kick ass (as in, kicked my ass) email that got me back on track. Yes, it's January and yes, I have no pianist or performance venues or show structure...but apparently I should not throw in the towel and go shopping for shoes. Instead, I went back to my to-do list and got two things done this morning. One was to contact a friend who is excellent with writing and improv scene structure and set up a time to meet for him to help me with my show structure. The other thing was to send out an OPB (all points bulletin) asking for performance venue opportunities. I sent emails to people at SAK and posted a bulletin on myspace. Here is the message:

Hi-

I am looking for venues at which to perform a 30-minute cabaret show. It would
be myself and a pianist, and the whole thing would be improvised...songs,
monologues, everything. I have a dramatic, absurd and, ok, GAY, sense of humor,
but I don't want to lock into the gay clubs and bars only.

Can you recommend places (bars, lounges, cafes, bookstores, truck stops) or
other people who might be able to help me in this search? Names and emails
would be awesome. I could be used as an opener for something, or an act in a
line-up of musical/comedy acts. Or, I could just do my show. I am open to
possibilities.

Thank you

Mark

The whole point of finding venues to perform at is so I can get actual stage time doing the show in front of people before Fringe comes around as well as these mini-shows serve as buzz-generators. Should I do them well, people will talk, and hopefully then go see my show. It's fairly basic. Then once I get some video footage from these shows, I'll post them to this blog. And then I will start publicizing the show by sending people to this blog to watch the clips and say "Hey- that bitch is funny! I'll pay $7 to see his ass live at Fringe!"

Mark