Why I Wasn't Nervous

I don’t get nervous.  Not about the kinds of things you would think I’d get nervous about anyway.  I get nervous about interactions with people—like when you send that deep text message and you’re not sure how the other person will respond.  I don’t get nervous about new and exciting things though, like going on an adventure.  I wasn’t nervous when I did my study abroad in London.  I wasn’t nervous about going to college or transferring to a new one.  I don’t get nervous when I’m front of people, whether it’s in front of a class for a presentation or on a stage.  The only time I ever got nervous when meeting one-on-one with someone was when I’d have conferences with one of my history professors who is a top-notch lawyer listed in the Who’s Who and recipient of some kind of award from the ACLU.  I might get a few butterflies before I get on stage, but I don’t get nervous.  I feel comfortable on the stage with a mic in front of my face and a crowd seated before me on a slightly lower plane.  It is an exhilarating experience to read a poem, to perform, on stage in front of a crowd.  It builds confidence, to say the least, especially when the crowd gets behind you and cheers you on.  You thrive on their applause—it fuels you.  My on-stage experience is limited, but I love it and wish to continue it and gain more experience.

The Columbus Arts Festival was my first featured set.  Prior to that I had only performed at open mics and during the aforementioned radio interview (see previous post).  I had twenty minutes to fill.  It seemed a little nerve-wracking, but I couldn’t have been calmer.  I erred a few times, but all in all I thought I did really well, especially considering it was a first time (though hopefully not the last), but I’ll let you be judge of that by watching the video below.  My set list was pretty solid after some last-minute changes—I wrote a new poem the night before at like 1:30AM while in bed that I felt I had to include about my cousin with Cystic Fibrosis who I knew would be in attendance.  She loved the poem and so did her dad (he’s actually my first cousin, so she’s technically something like my second cousin?)—he gave me a big hug after the set.  There wasn’t a huge amount of people in the seats—maybe 20 or 30—but a lot of people stopped as they walked by.  The Word Is Art Stage was in a primo spot, right at a main entrance to the festival.  As I was on stage I noticed a lot of people stopped to listen.  That felt good.  I saw a few people snap photos.  Afterwards a guy collecting petitions told me he got yelled at a couple times because he stopped to listen to me rather than collect more signatures; naturally, I signed it.

Doing the Arts Festival was awesome and made me really want to try even harder with my poetry and get more involved in the slam scene.  I’ve noticed I’m getting better at memorizing my poems as well, which is a huge plus.  The whole thing was a total success and I’m very proud of it all.  Only thing that would’ve made it better is if my brother and best friend had been able to make it. 

Before I leave you with the video of my set, I want to give a big shout out to Scott Woods and Ed Plunkett.  They both did an amazing job with the Word Is Art Stage and are a huge part of the Columbus poetry scene.  They have both done a lot to support me.  Scott always has a great introduction for me at the Writers Block Poetry open mic and Ed had a fantastic intro for me at the Arts Festival.

Set List:

Beliebers Anonymous (Confessions of a Music Snob)

Pink’s Hot Dogs and Foul Balls

No Child Deserves to Die

Purple Roses for Lahna

For Jamey

The Sacrificial Rite

Welcome to the Midwest

You Can Be Superman