Ask Darren: “When did you join Toastmasters, and why?”

I joined Toastmasters in 1994. My comedy mentors taught me that “stage time” is essential to one’s growth as a comedian. Comedy clubs are only open at night, so I practiced there by night and at Toastmasters’ meetings by day. It didn’t take me long to discover the power of making mistakes in front of an audience, without a booking agent present. I became willing to take more risks more often, thereby leading to more confidence. Soon after I joined three more Toastmasters’ clubs.