How to Handle a Microphone in a Comedy Monologue

Your audience can’t appreciate your funny comedy monologue if they can’t hear it. It is important to know how to properly handle a microphone when performing a comedy monologue.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microphone
• Comedy monologue
• Access to a comedy club

1. Attend comedy shows at a local comedy club. Watch how the different comedians handle the microphone.

2. Attend an open mic night at a comedy club to get stage time. This will allow you to have experience handling the microphone in front of an audience that will be more forgiving of a novice.

3. Decide what feels the most comfortable for you: keeping the microphone on the mic stand or removing the mic from the stand and holding it. Most comedians will alternate between holding the mic and leaving it on the stand. The mic is always left on the stand if the comedian needs to use both hands for any reason, such as making wild gestures. Adjust the mic stand to the appropriate height so that you can talk easily into the microphone while looking straight ahead at the audience. The stand is adjusted by turning the adjustment knob located half way down the mic stand or, on newer mic stands, pressing and adjusting the hydraulic grip.

4. Move the mic stand off to the side if you are going to hold the microphone in your hand.

5. Hold the microphone about an inch or so from your mouth. Never put your mouth directly on the microphone. Move the mic slightly further from your mouth if you yell during your routine. Move the mic slightly closer to your mouth for a mock whispered line.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are nervous on stage and your hands shake, it is better to keep the mic on the stand. You can hold onto the mic stand to help keep your hands still. The mic stand also forms a comforting psychological barrier between the beginning comedian and the audience.
• Adjust the mic stand or remove the mic from the stand while thanking the audience and the MC. You may even ask the crowd for applause for the previous comedian. This takes the attention away from the movement of the mic and presents a smoother and more professional transition to the audience.
• If the mic stand is too high, tilt the stand towards you so you can remove the mic easily.
• Taking the mic out of the stand allows the comedian to walk the stage and be a more commanding presence.
• Be aware of where the mic cord is at all times so you don’t trip on it.
• Comedians who use props to get laughs, or prop comics as they are known, will obviously keep the mic on the stand. Their mic technique is not really important though as they have bigger problems than how they use the mic.
• Avoid banging or bumping the mic stand.
• Unless you are using your own personal microphone, never do goofy things with the mic such as putting it down your trousers or inside your mouth. Respect the fact that someone else will have to use that mic after you.