How to prepare for a stand up comedy open mic performance.

Member

By adriennezurub
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(14 Ratings)

Doing open mics in your local bar, coffeehouse, or whatever is part of the road work to becoming a stand up comedian. You essentially hone your act at open mics.
In comedy, particularly stand up comedy, stage time is valuable! Actually, you will hear it said in comedy circles that 'stage time is everything!'
That is because it takes awhile for a new (or seasoned) comedian to feel truly comfortable on stage in order to fully be their own persona, or their own person.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

To be really funny.
To be able to get up on stage.
To prepare your 'act.'
To determine what kind of comedian you are (club, humorist, observational,storyteller,etc)
To appreciate your audience.

Step 1

Prepare your 3-5 minute comedy set with your best material. That would be material with your unique and individual POV (point of view).
(In comedy circles and for Sitcom' s you will hear a lot about POV. Casting people want comedians with a well-defined POV!)
Step 2

Practice your comedy set ... everywhere. Practice in your car with the radio up loud. WHY? Because the radio will be like the club or open mic with people talking and essentially ignoring you YET you press on with your material!
Step 3

Be easy on yourself. I learned from a comedy coach in New York City, that it takes about 5 years for a comedian to hone their comedy persona! Five years!
Stand Up Comedy requires learning, workshops, watching performances, honing your craft, and respecting the art of stand up.
Step 4

Practice your set, BUT, allow for improvisation to occur. You do not want to sound scripted. Here is where you have to 'be in the moment' and pay attention to what is happening in the room where you are performing!
Step 5

Watch other comedians to see what works for them and what can work for you. NO! Do not steal material!
See HOW THEY initially engage the audience.
See how they approach the stage!
Note their attitude BEFORE they hit the stage.
Step 6

Realize that before YOU hit the stage, the audience already thinks that YOU have something that THEY wish they had ... moxie, 'balls', the FUNNY, and 'coolness' if you will.
All of these attributes work in your favor, until you prove the audience wrong.
Comedians bring the funny, they bring attitude, and most people WANT to be like them...or you!

Comments

davida8575 said

Flag This Comment

on 7/11/2009 Pretty good information. I will have to put it to use. Please everybody, check out my articles on writing jokes and remembering jokes.

Desula said

on 2/7/2009 Thank you for the information on being a stand up comedian.

justsumguy said

on 8/28/2008 So..what you're saying is you have to be funny? Hmm...that's like a thought paradigm to me. Funny. Like ha-ha funny? I thought my charisma and charm would carry me. Dammit.