There YOU are on stage, mic in hand, looking out into the black abyss of your audience.
Many fears are ruminating through your mind at once.
Will I remember my jokes? Will the audience think I'm funny? Will I freeze? Will they think I suck? What if I can't remember the punch line? What if people walk out? What if I get heckled? OMG, you're feeling stage fright! "RUN" is your first thought.
But wait! Just like YOU, most comics get nervous just before the show.
No one ever seems to get completely over it.
However, there are some parts of the show YOU can control, your parts, so you can eliminate SOME of the anxiety.
As far as the audience' reaction is concerned, that's out of your control.
Take care of what you CAN control and just let go of what you can't

1. Control the Content.
   Having funny jokes is something you can control.
   Practice at open mics and repeat your jokes to other comics that you trust.
   Ask if they're funny and maybe tweak them a little to make them killer jokes.
   Take YOUR jokes and put a winning set together.
   Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
   Don't wing it on stage.
   YOU are controlling the content.
   
2. Memorize Your Routine.
   Write down the jokes on cards to make them easier to memorize.
   If you have trouble remembering the order, there are some helpful hints.
   Write down just the title of the jokes in proper order on paper.
   Tape the paper onto a stool next to you on stage, or tape it to a bottle of water that you have with you on stage...
   or both.
   If you need to remember the next joke, pick up the bottle and look at the order just before you drink.
   This will be transparent to the audience.
   Now your jokes are good, the routine is memorized and rehearsed.
   YOU are controlling the delivery.
   
3. You Can't Control the Audience.
   As you know by now, some nights, the audiences are great, some nights, you hear crickets.
   Don't let fear freak you out.
   Before YOU go on stage, close YOUR eyes and see hundreds of cheering, applauding fans.
   Feel the energy.
   See them react, positively, to YOUR jokes.
   Keep that picture and energy when you walk out onto the stage.
   

Remember, YOU cannot control the reaction of your audience, but you can control

• The jokes
• Memorizing your routine
• Maintaining your energy on stage