How to Become a Stand-Up Comedian
Tips for Comedians Breaking Into Stand-up Comedy at Open Mic Nights
Oct 13, 2009
There is nothing easy about beginning a career in stand-up comedy but one thing that can’t be denied is that the experience will be unforgettable. Although the boundaries of what can be done to entertain the audience are almost invisible, there is a definite list of do’s and don’ts to be successful on stage. This article will begin, as many entertainers do, from the top.
Writing Jokes for Stand-Up Comedy – Stand-Up Material
Although it may appear effortless on stage, all of the top comedians will regularly take the time to sit down with a pen and notepad and think of new material. Many will make sure to write down anything they think has the potential to be funny, even if it is just half an idea. With a little bit of thought, any situation which is a little bit out of the ordinary has the potential to blossom into an excellent stand-up comedy routine.
Structuring these funny ideas into a joke could be the most difficult part of a comedian’s job but its importance should never be underestimated. A great idea for a joke will make no-one laugh if it is poorly structured.
Writing jokes is a lot like writing the news. They should be short, sharp and to the point. Top comedians aim to make the audience laugh at least every 10-15 seconds so, although it is perfectly acceptable to be a story-teller (see below), it is vitally important to ramble as little as possible.
There are many different types of jokes ranging from puns, stories, songs and practical jokes but these are all often structured in the same way. They begin with a set-up, normal chit-chat which gains the audience’s trust, then end with a punch line which is the part of the chat that makes the audience laugh. Many famous comedians such as Jack Dee and Michael McIntyre may appear to be telling a story but if you break down what they are saying you will often find it is simply a series of set-ups and punchlines.
Beginners should not even begin to think about getting on stage without at least five minutes of strong material that they are confident will make their audience laugh. If a comedian doesn’t find the joke that funny themselves, then it’s going to be difficult to make others laugh telling it.
Finally, anyone who is at all serious about becoming a stand-up should NEVER steal jokes from other writers or comedians. There is no skill in plagiarism.
Booking a Gig – Open Mic Nights
Most rookie comedians will begin performing unpaid at open mic nights. Many comedy clubs run their own open mic night or will at least know of a local club that does, so give them a call and ask for some information. Alternatively, if there are no open mic nights in the local area then there is always the option of organising one. Most pubs or bars should be happy to host the show but it often takes a lot of effort and promotion to secure a large audience and a healthy number of comedians.
Preparation – Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail.
A good comedian will find out the amount of time they have been given on stage and order their jokes into a set accordingly. Most try to begin and end with their strongest material and will learn their set as well as an actor would learn a script. Performing out loud either in front of friends or a mirror increases confidence no end and will help to eliminate fatal errors such as stuttering, telling the jokes wrong or laughing halfway through a gag.
Performing on Stage – Stage Presence and Dealing with Hecklers
Getting on stage in front of a group of strangers is a daunting experience but it is important to remember that the crowd are on the comedian’s side. The audience want to laugh so treat them like mates in the pub. Open the set by building a relationship with the crowd even if it’s just by asking if they’re enjoying their night.
The way a comedian handles themselves throughout the set is as, if not more, important than the strength of their jokes. If they can maintain eye contact, positive body language and most importantly, belief in their material, then they will rarely embarrass themselves, no matter how badly their set may be going.
Open Mic Night audiences are usually very forgiving so beginners are unlikely to have to deal with hecklers when they are first starting out. If confronted by a mouthy spectator, the rest of the crowd are likely to remain on the comic’s side. Asking the heckler to stand up and repeat what they said will usually strike the fear of god into them and shut them up. At worst, it will at least give the comedian time to examine and spot the heckler’s personal weaknesses. It is important, especially for beginners, to keep the audience on their side so avoid being racist, sexist or picking on individual members of the crowd.
The Next Steps – How to Become a Professional Comedian
Much like a band, it is important for comedians to gig and gig and gig and not to give up if they’re not successful straight away. Very few comedians are incredible as soon they start out so first gigs should be used to build confidence, try new material and get used to being on stage. If a comic is good and gigs often enough then they should start to build a fanbase. This is when their name begins to do the rounds and people may start offering a fee for a performance.
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