This happens to all working vents. You write what you think is a great bit for your show and it gets a tepid response. You feel maybe it’s the audience being tired, conditions weren’t right, but for what ever reason it isn’t going as well as you feel it should. Then comes the rewrite.

The rewrite can come in a variety of ways. It can be a partial rewrite, wherein a few lines resonated with the audience, so you keep those lines and work new material around them. Or maybe you are not comfortable with he bit and decide to scrap it and start over. Often you can keep some of the lines so it won’t be a total remake, but it can change the dynamics of the bit. The new lines you add change the meaning or purpose of the bit.

All of the above is ok, as long as you give the bit time to develop. It may take a few shows to work out the bugs and to eliminate the unwanted or too long lines. That’s understandable. But after say, three or four shows and the bit doesn’t feel right, it’s time to change it up. That’s how you hone your act, by trying new bits, eliminating the unnecessary, and strengthening the remaining material. Experience in working shows will give you the confidence and know how to make these changes.

The only way you get better at writing material is to write AND experiment!

To contact Mark Wade- kidshowvent@gmail.com