Perform at a Comedy Club

Everyone has a little "funny" in them somewhere. Being funny is not something hard to do and can easily be found in the realms of your personality. If you are the "funny one" and known as a crowd pleaser you can easily become a comedian. If you are not then dig deep inside and bring out your inner funny!

Steps

  1. Call your local comedy club and ask "the reservation clerk," if they have an open mic night. Find out how to sign up and how many "minutes" you will need. Usually it is 3-5 minutes.
  2. Visit the club on the open mic and check it out.
  3. Write 3-5 minutes of material.
  4. Book your open mic appearance.
  5. Time and polish your act as best you can.
  6. Arrive early on the night of your set, and introduce yourself to the MC
  7. Find out where and when they will "light" you to let you know your time is up. Example: We'll hold up this candle in the back right corner when you have a minute left.
  8. Ask for a round of applause for our host George Hackarama or whatever his name is while you are adjusting the mic stand or taking the mic out of the stand.
  9. Perform your act to the best of your ability.
  10. Watch for the light.
  11. Stay within your time limit. Do NOT "run the light." If you get the signal and were just about to start another bit, cut to your closer or just say good night.
  12. Say thank you and good night.

Tips

  • The type of jokes that are best depends on the atmosphere. Dirty jokes are best saved for a small, late-night crowd at an underground bar, whereas a large, stadium-type crowd or house with a Broadway setting or one with bright colors goes best with clean jokes.
  • Always tip the wait staff at your local club even if you drink is comped.
  • Offer to buy the headliner a drink or a ride if you want to make friends.
  • Go to the club a few times before you perform, and see what types of jokes go over well with that crowd. Every club has a different crowd, and sometimes a set that worked in one place won't work well in the next

Warnings

  • If people annoy, disrupt, or interrupt your performance, do not go on a tirade. Please don't pull a Richards.
  • Offering critiques to another comic's material is touchy. Comics are generally very ego driven. Some comics will find your tags and suggestions great and incorporate them into their routine. Some will offer an off-hand, "thanks" and then ignore the suggestions. Other comics will become irate that you are trying to re-write their material. Comics frequently get suggestions from non-comics anytime the subject comes up. It is typical to hear "I have a great joke for you. Feel free to offer your notes about their set if you are directly asked. Every comic is different. Some strive to operate in a cooperative setting with feedback and input from any source they can get, others consider themselves the ultimate judge of their comedy and will not respect that you are trying to "help them" be funnier.
  • Do not go over your time.
  • Comedians do not share "joke jokes" with each other. Resist the temptation at all costs.

Things You'll Need

  • A wide knowledge of humor.
  • Proper dress is best, especially when performing in a professional venue.
  • The only thing a stand-up comic needs is courage. If you do not have that then you can substitute a desperate need for attention combined with the inability to feel shame. They work equally as well.

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References

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