The issue of open mics is a contentious one. There are different schools of thought on the subject. Some comics see them as unnecessary. Unnecessary because you don't get good feedback. Since there usually is no "real audience", just comics, whatever response you receive from your peers is not what you would get from a "real audience". The lack of positive feedback to some is very disheartening and they feel serves no real purpose. Let me point out to those feeling that way, this is a game which requires you accept rejection. I would even go a step further and say I would embrace it. Why? Because when you can thicken your skin in a safe environment like the open mic, that leaves you free to work your material unencumbered by fear. If you can take rejection and failure at an open mic there is nothing a "real audience" can do to you. Ask yourself this question: How many times have you gone before an audience and feeling that cold breath of indifference blowing in your face started to freeze up and not "sell" your material the way you could? Without the fear you are insulated from that cold breath.
I also hear this thing about "bitter comics". First of all if you were not bitter you would have no need to stand in front of a group of strangers to walk a tightrope and tell basically how fucked up your life is or was, and how fucked up the things in the world is. At the risk of being redundant, I have to say I have not experienced the "bitter comic". Everyone I have met has been very supportive, and open. You also have to realize this; some of these people you meet now, who are at an open mic this very moment are the ones that are going to have their own sitcoms, that will
write for Leno, Conan,or Letterman. This is how you will get your opportunities. If you have worked hard and are talented chances are you will not be forgotten and they could possibly be your way in.
Where to Perform?
Now if you have made that life altering decision to throw yourself into the 'Dante's Inferno'of comedic Hell, the question is, "Where do I go?" Well that is a good question because in New York there is a wealth of open mics and my feeling is you cannot go wrong with any of them (at least not in my experience). First you should look at chucklemonkey.com or gigglechick.com for a complete listing of open mics in the area. While they are both comprehensive and list the mics chronologically (by day and time mic is open) gigglechick has a little more info about the mic themselves.
The first thing to look at is what mic is open when you have free time. The second of course is to get one relatively close. Now the next, is what I like to refer to as, "The Hostess with the Mostess Factor" (Don't fret girls, for you I have developed the, "Host with the Most Factor" also). This factor has to do with the person that is running the mics likeability and ability to run the mic smoothly. It's an unofficial "Q" factor rating. So from here I am going to list all of the open mics I go or went to, with a synopsis of the club, the host, the comics and any other relevant issue there.
