Tips for a New Comedian
Comedy is a wonderful, fun art form where the goal is to bring joy and levity to audiences.
While Standup Comedy may appear simple, there are a few recommendations that would make any would-be comedian’s experience a much more fulfilling one.
Terminology
Standup Comedian: A person who takes to a stage to deliver jokes to a gathered audience. The delivery form of these jokes is through words, but can involve physical action or gestures.
Joke: A formulation of words and thoughts, that leads to surprising or funny outcomes, leading to laughter from the audience.
Premise: The thought or vision that the comedian is trying to convey to their audience.
Punch Line: The end result of a joke, a finality to a joke, similar to a payoff from a film or TV Show.
Open Mic: A show or time in a Comedy Show where comedians try out new jokes, or begin their comedy career. Every Comedian begins at Open Mics. These shows are a vital tool to a young comedian.
Headliner: An experienced or famous comedian that usually closes out a Comedy Show. Sometimes referred to as the Closer or the Draw.
Showcase: A Comedy show where a few Standup Comedians perform extended time to show off their skills and talent. Comedians in these shows are usually known as Features.
Booker: A Comedian or person who produces Comedy Shows. They “Book” comedians for shows, and set up line-ups for Comedy Shows.
Line-up: The order of Comedians for a Comedy Show.
The Light: A method of letting a comedian know that they’re close to the end of their performance. Usually done with a flashlight or a unique stage light.
Career Comic or Hobbyist?
The comedy scene in any city is an exciting and colorful subculture to enter. Comedians are generally friendly and welcoming. While there is all types of persons that are part of a comedy community, there are two speeds that the community moves in. Those speeds are Hobbyists and professional comedians. The persons who are hobbyists are funny people that only perform sporadically, or when it is convenient. Professional comedians are persons who are performing more than 4 times a week, working rooms and comedy shows near and far. It is a priority for anyone who enters a comedy community to decide what speed they wish to experience performing Standup Comedy. Decide Early!
Introduce Yourself Often!
While many people use standup comedy to work on their public speaking; Standup comedy also involves interpersonal communication, and somewhat marketing. A great way to begin your comedy pursuit is to go to comedy shows or open mics, and introduce yourself to comedians and bookers alike. IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF COMEDIANS TO CREATE INTRODUCTIONS FOR YOU! You must take some initiative and responsibility of your interactions, a great way to create a solid foundation is to present yourself to the community as best you can, and to do it as professionally as you can.
Be Friendly to Everyone
Comedy communities are like a small town; everyone knows everyone, and word spreads quickly. Please enter a comedy community with a friendly demeanor. If your goal is to grow your comedy career; it is not wise to upset fellow comedians or bookers. Just approach every comedy show professionally and with a positive mindset; and you will move along must faster than you think.
Show Up Early
Know that Standup Comedy is growing in popularity, and that many people are participating in open mic shows and are trying to enter into showcases. One trait that many bookers and venues look for are prompt and early comedians. You will actually beat out many other comedians, just by being punctual and arriving early. It also shows that you respect the career path (It also shows that you care about what you do.)
DO NOT RUN THE LIGHT!
One of the greatest and common forms of disrespect in a standup comedy community is a comedian performing for too long during a show, and going far beyond the time that they were given the light. Know this, a comic who does this are not only showing the host or booker of the show that they do not care about the standard operations of a show; but you are also shortening the time of other comedians on a show. Consistent offenders of “Running The Light” (Going far beyond the time a comedian is given the light) find themselves not being booked or considered for future comedy shows quickly.
Write
Writing jokes is one of the only ways a person can strengthen their comedy performance, without being on stage. Many professional standup comedians write on average about 10 hours a week. It is a good rule of thumb to write at least for 1 hour a day. It helps you create new premises, create tags, or find faster paths to punchlines.
Be Knowledgable
It is incredibly helpful to know where comedy shows are taking place, where open mics are common, and what kind of comedy show it is. Often, many local comedy communities have a list of comedy shows in their area. this is an example of the South Florida Show List.
There are more things you will learn and adapt to when you grow in your comedy career. These tips should help you move ahead faster than you believe! Good Luck! and have fun!
