How to Dress to Perform Stand up Comedy
If you perform stand up comedy, you've got to get your audience to listen within the first few minutes of hitting the stage. Lose them in the beginning, and you'll spend the rest of your stage time trying to win them back. A seasoned performer may be able to rely on his act or reputation alone, but if you're new to stand up, you've got to put your best foot forward. Your wardrobe sets the tone for the kind of material you'll be presenting, and it gives the audience insight into your personality.
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Instructions
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Experiment with different looks. Sign up at a local open mic and show up wearing a skirt one night and a pair of jeans the next. Do the same material, and see how it goes over when you wear different outfits. You may find it more difficult to talk about how you can't get a date if you look too good on stage, or you may find that dressing up actually works for your act.
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Dress for the part. If you're a high-energy comedian, dress in wacky clothing with bright, bold colors. If you're a reserved comedian, go for a monochromatic look. If you're a news junkie or you hope to one day host a late-night talk show, wear a pair of khakis, a nice button-down shirt and a blazer.
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Wear a suit and tie. This throwback to the early days of comedy is a safe bet for most stand up comedy styles. With this classic look, you can say or do just about anything.
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Play against type. Dress like a mama's boy and then launch into your filthy act. This works for some people, but makes others seem insincere. You've really got to have an innocent, "little boy" or "sweet, farm girl" look to pull off this tactic.
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Wear something comfortable. Dress how you would in your daily life. If you perform in a tight shirt or itchy wool pants, you may end up spending your entire time on stage fidgeting or pulling on your clothes.
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Look for clothing with pockets, since you may need to sneak a look at your notes during your set. Slip your notes into a pocket, and keep them handy. If you start to forget your act, reach into your pocket and touch your notes. This technique has a calming effect, and should get you back on track in seconds.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't perform in a crazy outfit unless you plan on playing it off in your act.
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Comments
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Your character and image you intend to project will certainly influence your dressing, laff4life.
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jomerceractor
Jan 14, 2009
The first time I performed stand up, I did a "character," A Mary Kay Lady going through an intervention. I dressed up in an all-pink outfit. I did get laughs, but I think the outfit threw the audience off. Tonight, I'm going up on stage for the second time. It's a really long set. Tonight, however, I am just going up as "me." Some of my jokes are the same - the ones that work, just tightened up - but I'm wearing nice jeans, and a cute top. It's definitely harder for women than men to figure out what to wear! Thanks for the advice! -
jomerceractor
Jan 14, 2009
The first time I performed stand up, I did a "character," A Mary Kay Lady going through an intervention. I dressed up in an all-pink outfit. I did get laughs, but I think the outfit threw the audience off. Tonight, I'm going up on stage for the second time. It's a really long set. Tonight, however, I am just going up as "me." Some of my jokes are the same - the ones that work, just tightened up - but I'm wearing nice jeans, and a cute top. It's definitely harder for women than men to figure out what to wear! Thanks for the advice!
