Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Writing and composing jokes
• Part 2 of 3: A stand-up comedy performance
• Part 3 of 3: Giving a comedy show
• Tips
• Warnings

While the world of stand-up comedy can be tricky to break into, it is certainly a fun hobby or career that will likely give you a lot of satisfaction. If you want to become a stand-up comedian - amateur or professional - you need to put together a short set list: at least 5 minutes of jokes. Work on telling the jokes, timing the joke, and your character on stage. You can start by going to stand-up comedy open stage nights, which usually have a friendly crowd. If you want to dive deeper into the comedy world from there, it is necessary to contact the managers of comedy clubs and employees of comedy booking agencies so that you can be scheduled for performances.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Writing and composing jokes

1. Write down ideas you have for jokes in a notebook. Write it down if you have funny thoughts, or write down strange events that you find funny. In that phase you don't have to have the jokes worked out yet; just write down situations, sentences, or personal anecdotes from your past that seem funny, and that can later be used as material for jokes.
   • If you don't want to carry a notepad - most smartphones have a notebook app.
2. Try turning one or two funny ideas into a joke. Depending on what you find funny, write down longer jokes and anecdotes based on the ideas you wrote down. Look for ways to present your material in surprising, unexpected, or bizarre ways. A common movement written in jokes is to train the audience in one direction, and then surprise them by making the punchline assumption go the other way.
   • Repeat this process over and over: develop a funny idea or an observation, merge it with similar funny ideas, and write a long joke or anecdote.
   • For example, if you wrote down that you hate being in a traffic jam, and that you started dating someone the night after which wasn't fun at all, you could put these two details into a joke about how traffic jams and failed dates always seem to go together in your city.
3. Watch and listen to other comedians. Comedians - especially stand-up comedians - can learn a lot from the artists who have already achieved a lot in the comedy world. Visit the comedy club in your area as often as you can, and watch as many stand-up videos online as you can find.
   • Observe comedians: see how they time their jokes, how they move from one topic to another, and where they seem to get their material from.

Part 2 of 3: A stand-up comedy performance

1. Structure your set list. Once you've written down 20 to 30 jokes or a handful of anecdotes that you'd like to share with your audience, get started writing your set list. This way you can structure all your ideas into a coherent whole. Well, make sure you structure your set list in such a way that you open and close with really good jokes. After all, you want to open and close with your best material. Your audience will be disappointed when you open with a great joke and the show ends with a silly joke.
   • For example, if you open up with a childhood joke, you could structure your set list using autobiographical storylines, and after the childhood joke, make a joke about your puberty or high school days.
   • If you are just starting to perform as a stand-up comedy, a set list can be short, it can only be 5 minutes long. And if you're just starting out, it's okay if there are some mediocre jokes in the middle of your set list.
   • Watch how the audience responds to your jokes, and adjust your set list to reflect those responses.
2. Choose a style that characterizes your performance. Although a good set list is indispensable if you want to reap success as a stand-up comedian; it will kill if you stand still and tell every joke with the same intonation (unless you're a super sarcastic comedian). If you want to deliver your material well and make your audience laugh, choose a style of stand-up performance that suits your jokes and your own personality.
   • Some comedians choose to be on stage almost manically, and to walk back and forth very busy. Others are more into deadpan comedy, reciting joke after joke without changing their facial expression or intonation at all.
   • You can also choose to mainly make jokes that embarrass yourself, in which you and your life experiences are central to most of your jokes.
3. Coordinate your movements and facial expressions. Successful comedians often perform with specific hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to make the audience laugh. Decide what exactly you want to do with your face and body language. You could walk back and forth on stage very dynamically, or you could limit your movements.
   • For example, you could gesture with your hands to emphasize the point you are making. Some comedians even include the mic or mic stand in their act - for example, you can gently tap the mic on the palm of your hand or the floor to create a sound effect.
   • As for facial expressions, you can put on a funny face at certain times during your performance, emphasizing an unexpected twist or ridiculous punch line in your jokes. Or you put on a poker face throughout the performance, and you make the jokes much funnier because of your lack of facial expressions.
4. Memorize the set list and rehearse it. While memorizing everything can be challenging, it does help you when you're performing. Your audience won't find your material really funny if you forget jokes in the middle of your act, or if you have to read anecdotes from a note. Rehearse your entire set list until you can dream it: practice in the mirror at home, driving to work or school, and taking a shower.
   • Don't hesitate to revise your jokes or set list. If you're rehearsing and you realize that one or two jokes from your material aren't as fun as the others, delete them and replace them with better, funnier material.
5. Ask for feedback from your friends and family. Once you feel your set list is good enough, and you can cancel the set list without looking at your notes, it's time for some feedback. Practice your set by performing in front of family members or friends who are watching you. Listen to their feedback and incorporate the feedback into your routine.
   • This can help you be better prepared to joke in front of an audience in a crowded space.

Part 3 of 3: Giving a comedy show

1. Start performing at open stage nights as soon as possible. The only way to improve your comedy performance is to make the jokes in front of a real audience. Open stages are a great way to start: they are generally free, there is little pressure on the artists, and beginners are encouraged to try out new material. If there is a comedy club in your area, check their online calendar to find out if there is an open stage anytime soon.
   • There are also regular open stages in cafes, cultural venues, and there are even pop stages where open stages are organized.
2. Develop your character as a comedian. Once you start performing jokes in front of an audience, you need to have a funny voice or facial expression that you use to make your jokes. For example, you may want to present your material very sarcastically, or you may want to use physical comedy to make people laugh. Find out what type and voice work best for your personal type of comedy.
   • Many budding comedians think it's smart to imitate a well-known comedian. But it's actually much better to be yourself - because if your performance style is an imitation of a well-known comedian (Dave Chappelle, for example), you run the risk of being corny and lazy too.
3. Get to know other stand-uppers in your city. As with other hobbies or work, networking - and making friendships - is a great way to stand out. You can also start connecting with other stand-up comedians and even the owners or managers of comedy clubs and event organizers.
   • If you see a comedian who is already quite famous, introduce yourself and say something like, “I've seen you at quite a lot of comedy events like this in town. Do you know suitable places for a comedian who is just starting out? ”
   • Or say, "Do you know an event booker or manager in town who can arrange performances for me?"
4. Take part in a comedy festival or try to perform in a comedy club. Once you've performed at various open stages, and you've met a few other comedians in your area, it's time you started performing on a more professional stage. If you can contact bookers at comedy festivals or comedy clubs via Facebook or email, politely ask if they can schedule you for a comedy show that is coming soon.
   • If you're just starting out, you'll likely be scheduled somewhere in the middle of the comedy night, in between two acts that are guaranteed to be successful.
5. Do not be afraid that you will fail. Most comedians weren't super funny at the start of their careers; just keep in mind that the audience may not be laughing at you, or that there are hecklers in the room that you need to deal with appropriately. Every successful comedian has experienced this. Just hang on and perform at a club (or perform at your favorite open stage), even if things are a bit disappointing.
   • The audience can be very different from one night to another. For example, the audience on Saturday found some of the jokes hilarious, while the audience on Monday didn't like it at all.

Tips

• Use your phone or a video camera to make a 3-minute recording of yourself, showing you part of your stand-up set. This is very useful to send to comedy club managers who want to see some of your performance before booking them for their stage.
• Sometimes commenting on the joke you just made can make the audience laugh more than the joke itself. But don't use this trick too often!
• Sometimes a joke you don't think is that funny at all can catch on on the stage of a comedy club if you put it in the middle of your set list. Remember, people are willing to laugh before you even say anything.
• It takes practice to write jokes. The more jokes you write, the better you will be at timing, telling the joke, and developing your own style.
• Most comedians don't sit on a stool on their show, so prepare to be on your entire set list.
• Use your personal life experience and highlight the things you find funny or weird. It is then easier for the public to identify with it.

Warnings

• Don't imitate the acts of other stand-up comedians. Don't steal someone else's jokes and make up the punchline yourself instead of emulating it from another comedian. Because that is not only unethical and not only terribly looked down upon, but it can cause your comedy career to end quickly.