How to Handle the Canceled Show Like a Wizard

​If there's a part of stand up that drives comics wild, it's the dreaded "Canceled Show." You get the booking. You set the date. You promote the event. You tell others you're busy that night. You're even writing a few jokes for that night based on the venue, city, or other comics on the show. Then you get the DM or call. It's over. The show isn't happening. You're now out a night of comedy, money, and networking. It's not fun, but its part of this insane comedy journey. So here's a few things to consider and do to recover from the cancelation. 

First Thought: No One Wanted This Outcome
You have to start from a place of empathy. No one wanted this to happen. If a booker set up a ticket link, created flyers, gave specific instructions in messages, etc. then everyone involved on the producing level wanted this to be a success. But clearly some external factors happened. The venue had complications. The weather created potential safety hazards. The ticket sales were low. There are numerous reasons why this occurred, and while you might be upset, unless this was your farewell show to stand up, you should simply tell the venue thank you for considering me and go back to the grind. 

What isn't acceptable is when comics snap back with aggressive comments. In the arts, whether it's comedy, music, film, or dance, things change. I recently had a contract for a movie production deal that completely fell through because the financial backers (ironically) backed out last minute. Everything was set up, from my title to my email to even the scripts I would work on. Then I got "the call" it was over. While devastated, I just said thank you for the potential opportunity and moved on. 
Life is full of disappointments, and if you treat every disappointment like the end of the world, not only will you feel awful over time, you'll lose any future opportunities with those watching. 

Second Thought: DON'T THINK "Can I Get Booked Elsewhere?"
I know this feels counterintuitive. But Paul, if my show got canceled, shouldn't I just find another show? Why wouldn't I reach out to comics and venues? You can do that, and it wouldn't be wrong. But take a step back and ask yourself if the Universe/God/Time/Space/The Earth is telling you something. The older I get, (I'm almost 50, folks) the more I begin to cherish canceled plans. Many of us can relate to this in our personal lives too. 

Nothing can feel better sometimes than a canceled meeting, a canceled blind date, a canceled party, a canceled trip. There's a sense of freedom and relief, right? Not always, but you know what I'm saying. Maybe the comedy gods are just giving you another opportunity to have an adventure. 
I've recently been reading a lot about medieval times (5th to 12th century) and the idea of seeing the world as a non-stop adventure is much more exciting than seeing it as just a series of ebbs and flows. Think of setbacks as part of your perilous journey to the destination of your desire. Be the knight. Be the wizard. Be the faire maiden. Be the witch. Create a narrative where your troubles can be overcome by an attitude of moving forward not dwelling in the sadness of a show that was never in your control.   

Third Thought: Fill The Newfound Time With Something Rewarding

I understand your plans were squashed and you're discouraged, but now is your opportunity to do something worthwhile instead of just filling your time with more comedy. Rudyard Kipling wrote in the poem "IF" this line:

"If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it"

The truth is, your newfound time should be a way to do something you've been ignoring. Maybe it's to be more productive and fix something around the house or to workout or to buy something you need. 

Maybe you can work on a screenplay or sketch. Maybe you can go see a movie or catch up on a popular show. Maybe you can catch up with a friend or family member. Or maybe you can just sleep. There are so many ways to better yourself instead of filling the unforgiving minute with just another show telling the same jokes over and over again.

Be a human being, like the ones you want to entertain. 

Final Thoughts
Comedy is a cruel mistress. She ghosts you. She cancels dates. She costs a fortune at times. But if you have a set back, find a way to step up. Use each moment to better yourself and create a more productive version of you. Don't see the canceled show as a problem but instead as an opportunity to create a new path.