Life Lessons to Git-R-Done!

I can't believe it is already May 6th!  It has been a busy couple of weeks preparing and performing shows in a variety of different formats, which the artist in me truly enjoyed not only because of the challenges I faced as a performer but the lessons I learned as a result of the process.

On Tuesday, April 23rd, I was an actor in an Old Time Radio Show play that enabled me to use a variety of character voices that I don't usually get a chance to use in my library shows.  I was reminded of how much I enjoy not being me.  It was also fun not to be in charge of the production.  Or the PR for the show.  I didn't even have to memorize the script since it was a radio show performed live on stage!  All I was responsible for was showing up and making sure the four characters I was playing would be entertaining for the audience.  Plus I finally got a chance to wear the Typewriter-print outfit I had made a few months ago since we didn't have costumes. Not only did I make some new friends in my fellow actors, I had a blast just being a member of the cast!

The cast of Fragile Fate, an Old Time Radio-style play.

As I have already mentioned in previous posts, the next night, I performed at McCurdy's Comedy Club down in Sarasota in honor of World Book Night. This was the performance of the week I was most nervous about.  I hadn't done a comedy club in over a year and it was also somewhat of an audition since the owner had never seen me before.  I wanted to make a good impression so I could come back for future shows.  While I only had to do 12 - 15 minutes (which seems like nothing compared to my hour-long set at my library events), it was the pressure to be instantly funny telling literary jokes to a non-reading crowd that scared me.  What if they didn't laugh?  Or worse yet, shush me?!  But the audience ended up being so supportive!  I also got some great advice from club owner Les McCurdy on how to better my act for the clubs, plus an open invitation to return to McCurdy's so I could continue to develop my act.  I learned that even with my years of experience in performing, there is always more to learn if you are open to hearing it.

Performing my literary stand-up comedy
at McCurdy's Comedy Club.

On Friday, April 26th, I was back in my comfort zone doing one of my library events performing for the Leesburg Public Library staff. On arrival, I was instantly approached by a group of friendly librarians on how excited they were to have me there.  One in particular I had met the year before when I performed at the Florida Library Conference where she had been one of the first people to buy one of my purses.  I later learned she also recommended me for this event - a prime example of how just one librarian can make a difference in employing another.  Thank you Alicisa!  This was also the first library event where I kind of hung out with the staff before I performed.  As a result of that personal time with my audience, I was more comfortable and less nervous which I think made me funnier and certainly better able to interact with them during the show.  They also showed their support in purchasing some of my literary purses and going on my Facebook page and telling me how much they enjoyed themselves.  I don't know if it was my brand-new pink Librarian outfit that I wore or the fact that I was 100% myself at that show, but I felt on top of the world!  Like I wasn't just performing for librarians, but entertaining friends.  Thank you Leesburg Library Staff for not only validating my work as the Stand-Up Librarian but for making unemployed librarian Meredith Myers feel like a member of your staff!

The Stand-Up Librarian with the Leesburg Library staff!

And finally, on Saturday, April 27th, I participated in ARTpool Gallery's Crafty Fest.  While I have been making and selling my literary purses for over a year at my shows and my Etsy shop, I had yet to do any type of craft fair so I thought it was about time I tried it out since I am an artist on residence there and could get a free space.  Thank God it was free because I did not sell a single thing in five hours of sitting in the blazing sun!  Now I don't know if was the lack of people in attendance at this thing or that the ones who came didn't buy a single thing from any of the artists making their own stuff, but soon began to dislike being a craft fair vendor!  It's like being homeless and begging for money that you already spent. Seriously, people walk right past your booth without even an acknowledgement of you or your homemade items.  Or if you are lucky, they stop and touch everything on the table making the once organized display now a heap of colored objects and then walk away. Once in awhile, someone will tell you how much they love everything and must have it but then walk to the booth where the girl is selling ripped-up Levi cutoff shorts and buy those instead.  Oh well, so I learned that I still don't like working retail even when it is my own stuff.  The one perk?  Lots of reading!

Stand-Up Librarian Designs being a vendor
at ARTpool Gallery's Crafty Fest.

I often talk about my troubles with letting go of my past and the person I once was or could have been today had I continued working as a publicist.  Or I had focused all of my energy on being just a comedian or just an actor.  I also admit to imagining how different my life could have been if I had hired as a librarian right out of grad school!  But then I stop myself.  Life didn't happen that way for me.  Instead I made a choice to listen to my heart - which stupidly resulted in me trying to do all of it...at the same time! Exhausting?  Yes.  Regrets?  Not a chance.

So after a week of playing a variety of different roles - actor, stand-up comic, Stand-Up Librarian, designer - I have finally learned the very important lesson that the role I created for myself - The Stand-Up Librarian - is the one that brings me the most joy (and surprisingly, also the most profits!)  Like in my favorite book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho that I gave out to the audience at McCurdy's for World Book Night, it is often through the long, difficult journey that you find your treasure...within yourself.

Celebrating MY success with Larry, who I first met over
15 years ago in a Chili's. Create your own opportunities.
Git-R-Done!

World Book Night at McCurdy's Comedy Club

For a direct link to the video, click here.

Thanks again to Les McCurdy and McCurdy's Comedy Club for having me out to perform last week on behalf of World Book Night to open for the incredibly energetic and hilarious Dale Jones!  As the mission of World Book Night is to promote reading to light and non-readers, I thought it was the perfect time for me to leave the library and return to the comedy club to do my literary stand-up comedy and surprise the audience with free copies of my favorite book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  

I can honestly say that I had more fun giving out the books to the audience than I did performing, which is yet another example that I will always be more librarian than comedian, however thanks to creating the phrase Stand-Up Librarian, I can always do both!  After the show, I got a chance to hand out my bookmarks, take pictures, and talk one-on-one with members of the audience and it brought absolute joy to my heart to hear how much they loved seeing a real librarian have fun on stage with books and how grateful they were to receive their free copies...and not have to return them!

As is my mission with Stand-Up Librarian, if something I said gets someone to use the library or pick up a book, I have done my job.  If they laugh or sing "Joyce Around" back to me, well that just means we had some fun too!  

Thanks again to everyone who came out to the show...

Giving comedian Dale Jones a copy
of The Alchemist before the show!

Thanks Les McCurdy!

The first librarian to ever perform
at McCurdy's Comedy Club!

I LOVED giving The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho to the audience.

Celebrate World Book Night at McCurdy's Comedy Club

I've got a busy week ahead full of a variety of shows and appearances including a play, a library staff day, a craft fair, and the one you should not miss - McCurdy's Comedy Club! 

On Wednesday, I will be popping into McCurdy's Comedy Club in Sarasota for a quick 20-minute set in honor of World Book Night to promote reading and give out free books to the audience.  While WBN is actually Tuesday, I am already committed to doing a play, so I figured why not extend the celebration!?!

What is World Book Night you say?  

World Book Night U.S. is an ambitious campaign to give thousands of free, specially printed paperbacks to light or nonreaders across America on one day. Volunteer book lovers help promote reading by going out into their communities and sharing free copies of books they love. The mission of World Book Night is to seek out those without the means or access to printed books.

My mission as the Stand-Up Librarian has always been to educate and entertain people about the importance of libraries and literacy, which means that most of the time I am trying to reach the people not reading!  It is the reason I use pop culture and catchy songs in my shows and why at Stand-Up Librarian Designs I make purses and hats, not Kindle cases.  I keep hoping that maybe a joke, a cute purse, or a literary parody song encourages someone out there to grab a book or get a library card!  

Joining World Book Night as a Giver also seemed like a perfect time for me to head back to the comedy club.  Most of the time as a literary comedian, I perform at libraries or book events for librarians and book lovers, but I have missed the diversity of the audiences at comedy clubs (well, not the hecklers or drunks.)  In performing at a library fundraiser down in Sarasota back in January, I was reminded of McCurdy's Comedy Club.  It was one of the first places my friend and comedy mentor Dan Whitney, first performed as Larry the Cable Guy.

I don't talk about my journey into becoming a comedian or the "Stand-Up Librarian" very much (I am saving that story for my book), but I will tell you that one story has been the reason I keep going regardless of the obstacles put in my way.  It is called The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and it is the book I will be giving away on Wednesday at the show.  

For reservations call 941-925-FUNY (3869) or visit McCurdysComedy.com.  McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre is located at 3333 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234.  

Hope to see you there!

Cannot wait to give out my favorite book of all time:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho!

I wanted to be a comedian because of
Dan "Larry the Cable Guy" Whitney.

While our comedy and talent is very different, Dan's work ethic
as a struggling comic in the 80's & 90's continues to inspire me.

The Stand-Up Librarian Performs at The Strand THURSDAY!

The flier Lisa from The Strand created to promote my show.
Thank you, Lisa!

THE STRAND BOOKSTORE – 7pm

Thursday, December 6^th

$10 Strand Gift Card (can be used for any Strand purchase)

828 Broadway at 12th Street (3^rd floor Rare Book Room)

About the show: Click HERE

For reservations/gift card purchase: Click HERE

I hope to see you there!

For Immediate Release

STAND-UP LIBRARIAN MEREDITH MYERS

BRINGS ALL-LITERARY COMEDY SHOW 

TO THE STRAND DECEMBER 6^TH

NEW YORK, NY (November 15, 2012) – “So a comedian walks into a library and decides to work there…”  Comedian/Librarian Meredith Myers, also known as TheStand-Up Librarian, brings her all-literary comedy show to The Strand Book Store on December 6^th. The event begins at 7pm and the purchase of a $10 Strand gift card is required to attend.

You’ve seen stand-up, but not like this!  Myers will perform an hour of hilarious literary entertainment for all ages as she riffs on pop culture icons, authors, story time, and books, books, books.  A combination of Pippi Longstocking and Sandra Bernhard with the wardrobe of Carrie Bradshaw, Myers entertains while educates about the importance of literacy and libraries as she addresses Melvil Dewey and the Dewey Decimal System, honors Edgar Allan Poe in a rock n’ roll musical parody, and dances on a book cart in a delicious holiday-inspired musical number all in literary costumes she sews herself!  There will most certainly be no shushing at this show!

Myers has a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences and has been performing stand-up comedy across the country since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library.  She wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show Like a Publicist off-off Broadway in 2003, which received rave reviews and was based on her years working in public relations for celebrities Hugh Jackman and Jeremy Renner to Diana Krall and Whitney Houston.  Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, Meredith created StandUpLibrarian.com in June of 2010 to educate and entertain people about the importance of libraries and literacy.  In 2012, she launched StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com so she would have something literary fabulous to wear!  Her literary purses are carried by The Strand and are available for purchase at the show.  Myers currently lives in St. Petersburg, FL and performs at library and book events across the country.

This event will be located in the Strand's 3rd floor Rare Book Room at 828 Broadway at 12th Street.  The purchase of a $10 Strand gift card is required to attend and may be used at any time, towards any purchase at the Strand.

For press inquires and additional information about Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers, contact Meredith via email at StandUpLibrarianMM@gmail.com or visit StandUpLibrarian.com.

###

Yorba Linda Public Library Performance!

Boy, am I going places! It’s like that John Candy movie “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” only with libraries.  On Friday, June 8th, I had a long flight to Ontario, CA after a delay due to thunderstorms in FL, then a bumpy train ride to Los Angeles after a weekend spent in Riverside for my show at the Yorba Linda Public Library, and finally yesterday I rented a car to drive to San Diego before heading up to Anaheim for the library conference on Friday! 

I feel exhausted but also on top of the world.  Did I mention I finally got a library job offer as well?  What a great trip this is turning out to be!  Gosh, it has been a dream of mine since 2006 to do a comedy show at the library…and it finally came true…and I was paid to do it!  I was booked for the performance after meeting Ozgun Turner of the Yorba Linda Public Library back in November at the California Library Association’s annual conference.  He was quick to support me when everyone else was not.  I was still dealing with the after-math of being in the LA Times where most librarians still weren’t sure what to think of me…so they avoided me entirely.

I was nervous about returning to California so soon after just moving away in January, plus putting together a show seemed like a huge task in what was supposed to be time spent looking for a work & not spending money on trips.  Besides, I was booked to perform for two hours!!!!  I hadn’t done a two-hour show since 2003 with my off-off Broadway show “Like a Publicist.”  I knew I could do it but I also knew how much energy and effort it took.

I was also writing material for another show with my comedy troupe ‘The 817’s,’ another blessing that came out of me and that LA Times article.  Two other creative and kind librarians had reached out to me and wanted to do a comedy show at the American Library Association’s national conference in Anaheim.  I had trained at The Second City and loved performing both scripted and improvised comedy, so I was thrilled to partner with them.  I just knew our diversity would also make the show that much better.

When it came time for my show at Yorba Linda Public Library, I decided to do what I do best – everything.  I incorporated my literary stand-up with improv games, audience interactions, video & images, my favorite songs, parody musical performances, and lots of my literary fashions!  Unlike my show in 2003 where I just had the idea for the costumes and someone else made them, this time I designed and sewed all of my outfits myself.  Everything from the skirt to the hat, to the bracelets and purses - what a moment to celebrate how nothing you ever work on is a waste of time!

I was also so happy that my fellow 817’s (Danica and Dave) would also join me at the show.  The day leading up to the performance was full of funny rehearsals and sharing in the laughter that I knew was possible when working with people who also understand how fun and comical libraries can be.

In the end, the show was probably my proudest artistic moment yet.  I had created something that was positive and promoted the thing I loved the most – libraries and literacy, and as a result, I wasn’t nervous or aggressive in my delivery of the material.  I was 100% myself – a first in my ten-year comedy career because the real me isn’t ‘cool’ or confident all the time, she is actually really goofy!

In celebrating two years of StandUpLibrarian.com the other week, it was wonderful to see that if you truly believe in something and work very hard at it, eventually the right people will come into your life and assist you in realizing your dreams.  I cannot thank Ozgun Turner, Danica Sheridan, and Dave Tykoson enough for standing-up for this Stand-Up Librarian with their never-ending support and encouragement.  I also want to thank the audience for their energy and excitement before, during, and after the show.  Never have I had such an interactive show with an audience feeling the fun I feel on stage.  This is why I like performing in libraries – people who love libraries and love books really get excited about them and can’t contain it.  The performer I am now does not get offended or upset when the show goes off script or out of order. I have learned to enjoy the journey wherever it takes me, and usually it goes in a more comical direction anyway.

Finally, my favorite moment of the show was doing “Librarian Gone Wild” live on stage at the library.  I had previously shared the video I created and edited on You Tube, which is a parody of Madonna’s controversial “Girl Gone Wild.”  That video was a sexier version since I was replicating her dance moves and outfits in the video with live footage from a night club, but it wasn’t what I really envisioned for the song.  I wanted to save that idea for my 817s…and we nailed it!  I cannot wait to perform it again at ALA on the 25^th.

Please join us!

Thanks again to: Ozgun Turner & Yorba Linda Public Library, Danica Sheridan and Dave Tyckoson.

Floridian of the Month

It was one month ago today I was getting on a plane and leaving Los Angeles for Florida with nothing but faith that things would be okay once I got there.  I still wanted to be a funny librarian doing what I loved.  While things weren’t where I wanted them to be in LA, it was still a five-year investment and difficult to walk away from...even though I was probably the unhappiest I have ever been in my life.

Would I find library work in Florida?  Acting roles?  Places to perform comedy?

My faith paid off…in a matter of days. 

I applied to five library jobs and submitted a proposal to plan a fundraising event.  While at the library interviewing a local author for this blog, a comedy club owner booked me for a show.  In reading the local paper, I learned a film with James Franco was going to start shooting down the street. 

Was it really my faith that those opportunities happened?  Or was it me making an effort to find them?  I like to think it was both.  Of course, whether I get those jobs or people laugh at my jokes is out of my control and I’m done worrying about it.  More important than the acceptance of others is just me learning to be happy again wherever I am, because that is probably the one thing actually within my control and always has been.  After all, geography is just a zip code or a difference in humidity.  Only now instead of sitting in traffic for an hour to get to the beach, all I have to do is walk outside.

And performing at a comedy club on the beach?  Well, just watch how many times I smile.  Enjoy…

Meredith Performs for the Friends of the West Hollywood Library

Stand-up Librarian Meredith Myers performs her first all literary/library comedy set for the Friends of the West Hollywood Library on August 20, 2011 as part of her mission to educate while entertaining people about the importance of libraries. 

On Saturday, August 20^th, I had my debut as the ‘Stand-Up Librarian’ at an event for the Friends of the West Hollywood Library.  It was the first time I attempted to perform an all literary/library comedy set…at a podium…for sober people…at 10 in the morning.  Obviously, as a comedian used to performing in comedy clubs at night, I was somewhat out of my element, but the only pressure I put on myself was to be more popular than the free bagels, and that was probably pushing it.

The Friends group is mostly composed of a slightly older audience than those usually found in comedy clubs, but I doubted any of them would heckle me on a book joke so I wasn’t the least concerned about losing my cool.  I was the “headliner” of the event, which in the comedy world is a compliment since you are last on the program and generally the one everyone is waiting to see, but with this group I was facing possible walkouts should the bagels start to take affect too soon.

It was also comforting to be the only entertainment at the event, unless you count a certain audience member who enjoyed making bagels disappear into her handbag (but good for her, I forgot to eat and they had deviled eggs!)  I was also pretty confident that LibraryPark architect Jim Favaro and I weren’t doing the same material, which is sometimes embarrassing for a performer.  I can’t count him out though - his speech was good, I’m just hoping he doesn’t start telling jokes because he was pretty interesting to listen to and could steal my thunder at the library opening (hint hint, yes, I am available.)

When it came down to the performance, none of the above even crossed my mind.  I loved every minute of it.  Since starting my library degree in January of 2006, I have been on a new path in life where making people laugh is not always the top priority (probably not the smartest thing to say when being a comedian.)  What I really mean by that statement is that so many comedians put people down for sleeping with them or tell stories about how drunk people act, however, since I do that in my normal life, I wanted to try something more positive on stage, where the audience can actually learn something they might be able to use later on. 

In discussing the thing I love the most – libraries and reading – now I can educate the audience while also making examples of those people not using the library!  And that’s a ton of people.  Thanks to my new positive approach to life, I have found that I am finally performing for the right reasons because it shouldn’t be about the jokes or the applause, but instead about your intention.  And my intention is to go after those idiots now…yes, ‘I Hate Reading’ FB page, I am starting with you.  

For information on being a Friend of the West Hollywood Library, visit: http://www.wehofol.org/  

*Special thanks to Linda Demmers and the Friends of the West Hollywood Library!

The Stand-Up Librarian is Born

In Part 4 of "Meredith Hires Herself," Meredith and Meredith discuss their partnership and the mission of StandUpLibrarian.com. Meredith performs her library comedy material for the first time.

***Although inspired in part by true incidents, the following video is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event, even though the actresses look a lot like Meredith Myers and say they are numerous times. The Meredith Myers on stage, however, is the real Meredith Myers. In reality, Meredith Myers is the ultimate professional and takes her job as a librarian very seriously, so any future employers should not let this video effect their decision to hire her. The only thing she is guilty of is having a sense of humor during tough economic times. And yes, parts of this disclaimer was pulled from the "Law & Order" TV show.

For the entire month of June, in celebration of StandUpLibrarian.com being one year old, I have been posting fictional videos of me “hiring myself,” which feature two different Merediths (the librarian and the comedian), being interviewed about their positions with StandUpLibrarian.com.  The video series was always intended to be a spoof of reality TV shows that have over-the-top personalities talking straight to the camera about the people they either work for or are friends with, for the sole purpose of sharing “private” information.  Everyone should know by now that this information is then edited to be even more controversial by the producers of the show, in the hopes of creating some kind of storyline so the viewers continue to tune in. 

It was an idea I had a while ago to incorporate my love of acting and my need to find humor in an economic situation that has prevented me from finding work in a field I have absolute passion for, in a position where I have the necessary qualifications.  Of course, the videos were always going to be risky, since comedy is often subjective, and me playing myself could become confusing to people, especially to those who don’t really know me or perhaps want to hire me.  Is she bipolar?  A drunk?  Or worse. Not funny?  As an artist, I can’t always explain everything all the time, nor do I want to.  For example, in this fourth episode, I purposely edit the comedian character to seem cynical about the library field because most comedians do mock things.  How do you think jokes are born?  However, towards the end of the video, I replay that same clip in its entirety to show that not everything or everyone is what they seem.  After all, editors are the true talent of reality shows.

It has always been my mission with StandUpLibrarian.com to entertain, while educating people about libraries and their importance.  At the same time, I’ve also been trying to show the diversity of the librarians themselves.  Not all librarians wear glasses, nor are they conservative, or look like your grandmother.  Some of us curse, make bad jokes, and even enjoy a glass of wine once in awhile.  So what.  At the end of the day, we are all distinct individuals bringing varied and unique experiences and skills to the reference desk, with the commitment to share information and our love for libraries. 

Unfortunately for me, (and many others), I have been having a heck of a time getting to that paid reference desk due to our poor economy.  So do you think I am going to just sit around, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for it to turn around?  Hell no!  All of us have a responsibility to do what we can RIGHT NOW, or else there won’t be a job, or a library, tomorrow.  So, this blog is MY reference desk.  As is the comedy stage, my You Tube channel, or anywhere I else I choose to go and share information.  Just because I am not speaking to you from behind a reference desk in a library, does not make me any less qualified than those that are.  I say this because I feel like I had to.  Many times I wonder if those looking to hire me come on here and misunderstand my intentions, so let me make it perfectly clear…I may tell jokes but I do not view my six years studying to be a librarian in order to work with other librarians I absolutely admire, the punch line of my jokes.  Enough said.

PJ Walsh "Over There Comedy Is His Best Weapon"

On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to support my friend, Comedian PJ Walsh, at the opening of his one-man show "Over There, Comedy is His Best Weapon," here in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

As Head Librarian and Comedian at StandUpLibrarian.com, it is my job to share information that is both hilarious, while educational, and PJ Walsh has always been a funny guy so seeing him perform stand-up comedy is a given.  However, with this one-man show, Walsh DANCES!  And I don't mean the idiotic electric slide, I mean full-on Riverdance and a Windmill!  And as someone who once did a dance show and attempted to breakdance for "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" star Lucinda Dickey, Walsh is awesome!  And then he followed that up with like 20 push ups during the military portion of the show.  Walsh is a maniac (and obviously extremely fit in his white t-shirt...)

But don't just go for the dance moves, the hilarity of his stories, or the heartfelt emotions he shares about losing his friends to war, go because Walsh is living life to the fullest and will inspire you to do the same.  "Over There, Comedy Is His Best Weapon" but right here, it is his TALENT!

For more information about  show dates in Los Angeles and other cities, please visit:

http://overtheresoloshow.com/

**A picture of PJ and I back when he used to open for Larry the Cable Guy.

Meredith Interviews Comedian Paula Poundstone about Libraries

While attending the American Library Association's National Conference in Washington DC this summer, I jumped at the chance to speak with comedy legend Paula Poundstone about her love of libraries. As this blog was created in order to combine my two loves - comedy and librarianship - she turned out to be the perfect subject for my first-ever celebrity interview to be featured on this blog. Paula is not only a great advocate for the library field, she is still one of the best stand-up comics of all time, which is obvious as she delivers some hilarious library material of her own. Enjoy!