Breaking the Ice: Tips for Aspiring Comedians
Starting out in stand-up can be daunting. Do you just get up on stage and tell stories? What if no one laughs?
Understand the Craft: Begin by familiarizing yourself with what stand-up comedy entails. Sure, binge-watching shows on Netflix is great, but don't stop there. Venture out to experience the raw energy of an open mic night. It's a whole different vibe – you'll feel the room's energy and see a spectrum of comedians, from rookies to seasoned pros. Those polished Netflix specials? They're the tip of the iceberg, the highlight reel after years of grinding and fine-tuning acts.
By observing newcomers, you'll get a more grounded view of what the early steps on your comedy journey might look like. Pay attention to the variety of styles and techniques on display, and start figuring out what tickles your funny bone and why. This hands-on exploration is key to developing your understanding and appreciation of the craft.
Write Your Material: Start writing your own jokes and comedic stories. Focus on original content that reflects your unique perspective and experiences.
Practice and Refine: Regularly practice your material. You can do this alone or in front of friends and family for initial feedback. We also have a Workshop Wednesdays where you can tell your jokes in front of other comedians in a friendly and encouraging environment and the comfort of your own space.
Perform at Open Mics: Seek out open mic nights in your area. These events offer a platform to test your material in front of an audience and gain valuable stage experience. You can check-out our handy-dandy, I’m-new-here-friendly list of open mics here.
Study and Analyze Comedy: Watch and listen to professional comedians. Study their joke structure, timing, and delivery. This can provide insights into successful comedy techniques.
Learn from Feedback: Be open to feedback and constructive criticism from audiences and fellow comedians. Use this feedback to refine your material and performance.
Network in the Comedy Community: Engage with other comedians and the comedy community. Networking can provide support, opportunities, and valuable learning experiences. It’s not always what you know but who.
Stay Persistent and Resilient: Stand-up comedy can be challenging, and not every performance will be a success. Persistence and resilience are key to growing as a comedian.
And lastly, you could take a class, like our Welcome To Stand Up class starting today, which incorporates ALL of this. Class starts Monday, January 22nd at 6PM EST.
