How to Get Booked At a New York City Comedy Club

Are you trying to become a comedian in NYC? Have you done a few open mics, but want to wet your feet in the comedy clubs? This guide will help you learn the rules of the ropes when it comes to the club circuit.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jokes
• Friends
• Guts

Getting Booked

1. Sign yourself up for a "bringer": The "bringer" show is usually your first step onto a New York comedy club stage. After a while, they get difficult to do, but for the first few times, they are well worth the work. A bringer show is when you bring paid customers to the club in return for stage time. You can find these shows online, or you can contact the club about "new comedy nights". These are typically bringer shows. For example, you will be asked to bring 5-7 people in return for 5-7 minutes of stage time. A very good hint is to try to get onto the bringer shows that say that you will be seen by a Booker and you will get feedback. Make sure they offer feedback, and not just to be seen. There are a lot of fake promises in this business, but if you can get onto a show that offers actual meetings, it's a good step.

2. Land the audition: After a couple of shows, getting known by the club, you should hopefully be able to land yourself an audition spot. An audition is a show in front of the Booker or owner. They'll either give you feedback, or tell you that they want to see you again for a call back.

3. Get the call back: The call back show is important. If you can keep your cool, and follow any feedback that you were given before, you're very close to a bringer free career at that specific club. After the call back, you'll know if you took a step forward or a step back. If you took a step back, just work to get yourself another audition. It's not an easy industry, so keep your cool.

4. Get "passed": Getting "passed" at a club means that you have been accepted as a part of the clubs talent roster. You'll be able to do shows, and get paid for them. When you start off, you may be getting spots on rough evenings or during a rough time slot, but that's how everyone starts off. Eventually, you'll be emceeing, and getting featured spots.

5. Call in your "avails": Your "avails" are the evenings that you are free to perform. You'll be given a phone number or email address to report your avails. After you submit them, you'll be able to check to see if you received any spots. Congrats on making this far! One club down, many more to go!

Tips & Warnings

• Watch your time. It's unprofessional to go over your allotted time limit. Be sure to listen to any feedback that you receive, and when you do audition shows, make sure that you are doing your most original material.
• This is a rough industry. There are a lot of people out there looking to rip you off, or just get business from you. Be careful, and follow your gut.