Setting the stage: ANU Comedy Society’s First Open Mic Night

By Darcy Davitt

There are two reasons I haven’t gotten into stand-up comedy. Firstly, I prefer sitting down. The other is that I’m not funny (proven by the first point). 

Luckily, some of ANU and Canberra’s finest up and coming comedy talents are on campus to entertain you instead. On Monday 4th March, Badger and Co. played host to the newly founded ANU Comedy Society’s inaugural open mic night, and this reporter was lucky enough to be in attendance.

With doors opening at 7:30pm, I sat down with some half-priced chips and a pint, ready for the fun to begin. Soon enough, ANU Comedy Society President and MC for the night Lara Kirchner got the ball rolling with her own set, before introducing the first act, Ethan Kirk.

Before jumping on stage, Ethan said he was “feeling nervous … but excited” and that he’s “not used to doing stand-up in front of people [his] age.” Canberra’s comedy scene has historically lacked younger acts, and addressing this imbalance is part of the ANU Comedy Society’s mission.

What struck me was how young and diverse both the performers and the audience were. Comedians ranged from teenagers to sexagenarians, and the audience was reminded with signs around the building that “all sexualities, genders, identities, expressions & cultures [are] welcome here”.

While some were performing their first ever stand-up shows, others were refining their sets for upcoming shows in this month’s Canberra Comedy Festival. What was clear was that the crowd were supportive of the acts no matter their level of experience.

After a 15-minute intermission, the room got rowdier; partly because Badger was getting a little more raucous, and partly because the acts were getting a little more offbeat and whimsical. At one point, I was handed the mic as a comedian interpretive danced to YMCA in a silent disco while on drugs dealt by her own daughter. At another, the audience was reminded of the importance of buying a Coles rotisserie chicken.

Comedian Laura Johnston rounded out the show and was excited by the prospect of ANU Comedy Society hosting further open mic nights more regularly.

“I think it’s such an awesome opportunity. Coming in I was so excited seeing so many people. I was chatting to quite a few comedians who got to go up and ordinarily wouldn’t have had that opportunity”.

Laura also reflected on some of her own experiences in stand-up, highlighting how far the comedy scene in Canberra needs to come to ensure female performers feel comfortable.

“My first ever open mic night was close to two years ago now, and I went into the green room and the first question I was asked was which of the people in that green room I would sleep with”.

“I would say that it’s gotten better since then, the scene is becoming more accessible especially to women. But I would definitely say that it’s like 80% men to 20% women. A lot of the men are actually really lovely, it’s just that in comedy a lot of it is trying to find the line, and so that means a lot of men in the greenroom are edging past the line because they’re not sure where it is yet”.

“I think a space like this – amazing, it’s on campus, it’s easy to get home, you feel safe, it’s really accessible”.

Comedian Ethan Kirk added, “I think this new ANU room is so good because the audience is very young, and they’ll definitely be people coming along thinking ‘I’d like to try that’, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so”.

“The biggest step is just doing your first gig”.

If you feel like having your funny bone tickled, or perhaps fancy yourself up on the stage, the ANU Comedy Society plans to run open mic nights monthly during the semester.

Graphics by Annisa Zatalini

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Know something we don’t know? Email [email protected] or use our anonymous tip submission.

If you have an issue with this article, or a correction to make, you can contact us at [email protected], submit a formal dispute, or react to the Facebook post.

Want to get involved? You can write articles, photograph, livestream or do web support. We’re also looking for someone to yell “extra!” outside Davey Lodge at 1AM. Apply today!