METHUEN - Erin Livingston Carroll looks kind of like Michael Jackson in one of her driver's license photos.
It's not the most flattering, but the picture prompted the Methuen mom to dress like the famous pop star one Halloween and also helped to launch her new stand-up comedy act.
"I like to make fun of Michael Jackson grabbing himself," laughs Carroll, who says that is the raunchiest part of her PG-rated stand-up comedy act.
Carroll, a mother of twins and a local real estate agent, has launched a second career - as a comedian. The 41-year-old has started performing at local open-mike nights and makes her debut in Boston this month.
"There's nothing like drinking and laughing," Carroll said, whose favorite comics are Kathy Griffin, Ellen Degeneres and Dane Cook.
Last fall, Carroll took a stand-up comedy class at Northern Essex Community College, where class clowns see if they have what it takes to perform a five-minute, stand-up routine in front of an audience.
Carroll made everyone laugh, said Dave Rattigan, a local comedian who teaches the Intro to Stand Up Comedy course.
"She's warm and funny. She's a person you can laugh with," said Rattigan of Beverly. "She doesn't let nerves get in the way. She's got a lot of promise."
Stand-up comedy isn't as easy as making your friends laugh at a party, Rattigan said. It's all about timing and getting the audience to like you.
"Being the class clown doesn't always translate," Rattigan said, who has performed locally and in Boston for 13 years. "It's a lot tougher on stage to get them to like you. You have a bunch of people sitting there saying, 'Make me laugh.' You have to come out of the box and say something that someone thinks is funny."
After completing Rattigan's course, Carroll brought her five-minute act to the public at open mike night at Roma Restaurant in Haverhill. Last week, she performed at La Chiquita in Salisbury.
For material, Carroll likes to poke fun at her family and current events.
"All you have to do is watch the news to get some new material," she said.
Carroll, one of six children, likes to compare her family from Lawrence to the Brady Bunch. She jokes about her father being a strict Catholic. Family parties are full of possible jokes, she said.
It's not the most flattering, but the picture prompted the Methuen mom to dress like the famous pop star one Halloween and also helped to launch her new stand-up comedy act.
"I like to make fun of Michael Jackson grabbing himself," laughs Carroll, who says that is the raunchiest part of her PG-rated stand-up comedy act.
Carroll, a mother of twins and a local real estate agent, has launched a second career - as a comedian. The 41-year-old has started performing at local open-mike nights and makes her debut in Boston this month.
"There's nothing like drinking and laughing," Carroll said, whose favorite comics are Kathy Griffin, Ellen Degeneres and Dane Cook.
Last fall, Carroll took a stand-up comedy class at Northern Essex Community College, where class clowns see if they have what it takes to perform a five-minute, stand-up routine in front of an audience.
Carroll made everyone laugh, said Dave Rattigan, a local comedian who teaches the Intro to Stand Up Comedy course.
"She's warm and funny. She's a person you can laugh with," said Rattigan of Beverly. "She doesn't let nerves get in the way. She's got a lot of promise."
Stand-up comedy isn't as easy as making your friends laugh at a party, Rattigan said. It's all about timing and getting the audience to like you.
"Being the class clown doesn't always translate," Rattigan said, who has performed locally and in Boston for 13 years. "It's a lot tougher on stage to get them to like you. You have a bunch of people sitting there saying, 'Make me laugh.' You have to come out of the box and say something that someone thinks is funny."
After completing Rattigan's course, Carroll brought her five-minute act to the public at open mike night at Roma Restaurant in Haverhill. Last week, she performed at La Chiquita in Salisbury.
For material, Carroll likes to poke fun at her family and current events.
"All you have to do is watch the news to get some new material," she said.
Carroll, one of six children, likes to compare her family from Lawrence to the Brady Bunch. She jokes about her father being a strict Catholic. Family parties are full of possible jokes, she said.
"People love the f-word," Carroll said. "But I don't use the f-word; my mother would yell at me."
In her family, Carroll may not even be the funniest.
"My twin sister will tell you she's the funny one," Carroll said.
Carroll said she was nervous the first time on stage, and still worries about forgetting her jokes. She takes cue cards on stage, just to be safe.
"I'm learning to just walk up there and say, 'who cares?' " Carroll said.
To learn more about Carroll and her upcoming performances, visit her Web site at www.myspace.com/erinlivingstonseagull
One-liners
A sample of Carroll's jokes
"I took a lot of noncredit courses after high school. I have so many NONcredits, I'm thinking of becoming a NONdoctor."
"I have a really angry friend. Her name is Joy."
"I wasn't a big drinker after high school, so I didn't think going to college would have been helpful. However, today I'd be an excellent student."
Are you funny?
Want to break into stand-up comedy?
Here are some tips from local comedian Dave Rattigan, who teaches Intro to Stand Up Comedy at Northern Essex Community College.
Attend an open-mike or amateur comedy night at a club or restaurant.
Write down your jokes.
Don't drink too much alcohol before going on stage.
Don't try to wing it.
Always end a joke at the funny part.
Have it taped so you can learn from it, or at least, have a souvenir.
