The path to becoming a stand-up comedian is winding and varied, and it can begin at any age. Doing stand-up can be a learning experience, hobby, or even a successful job, whether you’ve always had a knack for storytelling, want a career change, or simply want to perform in front of an audience. While there are many ways to get started as a stand-up comedian, try some of the strategies below.
Examine both successful and failed comedians. You can see plenty of good and bad comedians going to your local comedy club or watching a reality show like Last Comic Standing. Learning how to avoid common blunders is just as important as learning how to be funny onstage. Pay close attention to comedians who receive a negative response from the audience: are they using clichés, failing to articulate their words, or failing to connect with the audience? Doing your homework can save you a lot of time and money, as well as keep you from making common rookie mistakes.
Consider enrolling in acting or improv classes. While stand-up comedians are not actors, they will teach you how to read an audience and react quickly. That way, you’ll be able to tell what resonates with your audience and what doesn’t when you’re actually performing. Improvisational training will teach you to remain calm if you are forced to change your act unexpectedly.
Remember that connecting with your audience is an important part of building a successful stand-up act. People will care about who you are and what you have to say if you tell stories that they can relate to and express frustrations that we all have. The key to being a good stand-up comedian is to give it your own unique spin that makes people laugh.
Once you’ve finished your act, practice it in front of people you can trust to be objective. Don’t bother showing it to your friends or family because they’ll tell you they love it regardless. You’re probably on your way to success if you can truly make them laugh. Return to the drawing board if they appear to be faking it or do not laugh at all.
Test out your act at a local open mic night if you’re confident in it. Many comedy clubs, bars, and coffee shops host these events, which usually feature a variety of acts ranging from music to poetry to stand-up comedy. While they may not be your ticket to stardom, they can provide the most valuable feedback: candid responses from people who have never met you. Pay close attention to what makes them laugh and what they don’t understand. Always strive to improve your stand-up comedy skills.
Many comedy clubs will hold auditions or even new-talent competitions throughout the year. Even if you are aware that you lack the necessary experience to perform on a large stage, auditioning can provide you with valuable feedback, advice, and mentoring. Enter auditions with self-assurance and no ego, and remember that every bit of feedback can help you improve in some way.
Comedy, like any other form of creative or performance art, is about doing what you enjoy and being who you want to be. Making an honest, truthful act is often more genuine, rewarding, and humorous than making jokes that you think will be funny. If you’re brave enough to get up on stage and perform in front of an audience, you’re also brave enough, in your opinion, to make your performance truly hilarious. While not every stand-up comedian will be a huge success, with the right training and practice, you can be on your way to making people laugh while having a great time.