Stand Up Comedy

Stand up comedy and comedy acting require two completely different skill sets. Find out about the differences between stand up comedy and acting comedy with help from a professional stand up comic in…

Comedy can be one of the most difficult forms of performance. It requires confidence, commitment, timing and high-quality material. Stand-up comedians become skilled in taking even the most mundane…

On a Friday night, a young comedian performs a killer set, but the next night when he checks out a veteran comic's act, he realizes that the old man has stolen all his best jokes and is repeating them…

Some of the great comedians of recent memory garnered new fans and delighted old by turning their stand up routines into feature films. Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Eddie Izzard and many more have…

That awkward incident at the grocery store or the time your dad mowed the lawn in his underwear has kept you laughing for weeks. The difficulty becomes how to translate that into stand-up comedy that…

Writing good roast jokes requires a sense of humor and an understanding of comedy. The best comedy comes out of truth that is slightly skewed. A good knowledge of the person being roasted is a must. A…

Being a stand-up comedian is not a job for the faint of heart. On stage, if you give the audience what they want, you're the darling of the evening. If you don't deliver, you can experience public…

There are many various lighting methods used in theaters, according to Bill Williams and Associates, professional consults in theater lighting design. A theater stage designer has the freedom to use…

Movie press kits are made available by almost every production company to the media, including entertainment bloggers, for promotional purposes. If you are willing to give a movie free publicity,…

Take my wife, please! It's a classic piece of stand-up comedy. But if you want to get laughs with your own style of comedy, you'll need to put together a routine. Though your intention is to be funny,…

Stand-up comedy acts require quite a bit of thought, planning and consideration. There are so many pitfalls to avoid: telling the wrong types of jokes, spitting out all of your best jokes too early in…

Stilt dancing, formerly called Danza de los Zancos, is a famous Spanish dance that has been practiced for centuries to honor Mary Magdalene in the Christian religion. The performers of this dance use…

Some business schools devote entire classes to press kit development and for good reason. Television news producers as well as newspaper and website editors are inundated with press kits from…

The popularity of the Chicken Dance lies in its simplicity, both in terms of dance and the tune of the song. To dance the chicken dance, you need only learn four different steps and repeat them over…

Glass sculpting is a very artistic way to bring out your home decor. This is a very creative, yet dangerous way to express yourself. Here is a how-to-guide on the basic steps of creating and…

Bagpipes are a well-known musical instrument seen in parades, festivals, special occasions and funerals. The instrument plays a tone that, depending on the musician, can be haunting or lively. The key…

While all materials have some ability to absorb sound, the remainder of the sound energy is either transmitted, dissipated, or reflected. Good sound absorbing material will readily transmit sound and…

The stand up bass, also known as the double bass, is an essential component in many performing ensembles. From symphonic compositions to jazz standards, the bass is respected worldwide for its…

A guitar can be stored in one of three ways; in a case, on a stand or leaned up against a wall. Determine how you want to store your guitar with advice from a lead guitarist in this free video on…

Impress your friends and family by wearing your latest artistic creation around your neck in the form of a glass bead. The art of glass bead making has been around for hundreds of years. When the…

The term "balanced cable" refers to the hot, low and ground connections that make up the end of the plug. Each of these three parts are soldered to a different conductive wire inside the cable. If one…

Rather than describing a style of lighting or a theory of design, PAR lighting refers to lighting that uses one of the most commonly found and inexpensive theatrical lighting instruments: the PAR,…

A stand-up comic, also know as a stand-up comedian, is a performer who stands in front of a live audience and tries to make that audience laugh. Stand-up comedy, also known as improvisation, takes its…

Turning a room in your home into a home theater is an exciting decision, but a successful home theater takes planning. Making sure you buy the proper equipment and accessories for your available space…

The hi-hat stand is an essential piece of hardware for any modern drum kit. All drummers will have the opportunity or necessity of breaking down and reassembling a hi-hat stand. The hi-hat stand…

Michael Jackson introduced the Moonwalk dance to the world on March 25,1983 at the "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" TV special. Jackson's dance repertoire was immense, and he used many…

Group dances are a great way to get a party started. A popular dance for parties or wedding receptions is the Chicken Dance, which is a polka-style dance song. The Chicken Dance was written by Swiss…

If you are trying to get the word out for your hardware business, an effective television commercial may achieve this objective with style. Commercials are easy to get wrong, looking too amateurish or…

Astra 28.2 satellite dishes must be pointed at 28.2 degrees east, one of the main satellite groupings in space. Most dishes aimed at the 28.2E location service the European area. If you have an Astra…

Juggling scarves is a great way for beginners to ease into the world of juggling. The quick movements of balls, rings, and clubs can be overwhelming for jugglers who are just starting out, and the…

Are you considering becoming a stand up comedian? It's a lot tougher than it looks! However, if you think you got what it takes to make an audience laugh, read this article to learn how to prepare for…

In a recording studio or performance space, whether it's your bedroom or a multimillion-dollar facility, ambient noise can often find its way into the soundscape. The clicking of shoes on the floor,…

You're scheduled to give a speech, and you're nervous. The only thing you can picture in your head is disaster. When this happens, you become a fast talker. But it doesn't have to be that way. The…

Adhesive tape is used to mask many items during the powder coating process. Several kinds and sizes of tape are used in the preparation and powder coating process.

The statue move in acrobatics involves one partner reaching up with one foot to stand on their partner's knee before leaning forward. Find out how the base acrobat leans back to counter balance the…

A tabletop acrobat move involves one partner standing on the knees of the other partner. Discover the importance of getting up and down slowly when doing acrobatic moves with help from a professional…

A Digital Single Lens Reflex camera works much like a digital "point-and-shoot" camera with exception to the picture quality and certain technical features that require manual adjustments. Although…

Someone walking on stilts inevitably draws the eyes of everyone around. If you have ever longed to use stilts, it's never too late to learn, whether you are a child or just a child at heart.

Stealing comedy material from another comedian can be a subtle as changing the wording of a whole bit, but it is considered sneaky and dishonorable in the stand-up world. Create only original material…

Stage fright as a stand-up comedian must be conquered to minimize the agony and anxiety that festers for the time off stage. Get over stage fright, and get on with your life and career, with great…

Dealing with hecklers in a stand-up comedy show is best done by letting them embarrass themselves, so avoid shutting them up too quickly. Gather as much ammunition against the heckler as possible with…

Cheap laughs during a stand-up comedy show should be avoided, because they diminish the integrity of the comedian as an artist of his craft. Avoid making fun of audience members to get a cheap laugh…

A hack comedian is someone who uses old, successful ideas in his act in order to get guaranteed laughs. Try original material before resorting to the same old jokes with great tips from a television…

Getting stage time can be difficult, so find a city with plenty of comedy clubs. Consider making deals with club owners to get a bit of stage time with great tips from a television comic and…

Staying calm before a show is crucial to putting on a great performance, as hanging out with the wrong crowd beforehand can greatly affect your mood and motivation. Prepare for a comedy show properly…

Before doing a stand-up act, avoid hanging out with bad influences, such as draining people, because this could greatly affect the quality of the performance. Psych yourself up before a show by…

Doing homework and research as a stand-up comic keeps the material poignant and accurate, as even a slip up of a few words can ruin the integrity of a good joke. Study your own material between shows…

Creating fresh jokes involves maintaining interest and keeping each joke alive and new for the audience. Get the audience excited about new and old material alike with great tips from a television…

Repeating jokes to different crowds is part of being a stand-up comic, but it is beneficial to change them up slightly each time, making them stronger, funnier jokes. Understand how to freshen up an…

Bombing on stage is inevitable for all comedians at one point, but working through it and acknowledging the failure is a sure way to learn from the experience. Maintain dignity when bombing on stage…

Timing in stand-up comedy is extremely important, but it is usually something that comes naturally to some people. Understand the finer points of impeccable timing on stage with great tips from a…

Working the crowd as a stand-up comic is a great way to kill time between jokes, and it helps to ask questions to the crowd on prepared topics. Involve the crowd in a few jokes during a show with…

Off stage, bombing can affect a comedian greatly, and it could potentially affect future performance. Get into the right mindset for learning from bad experiences with great tips from a television…

Being a hit with the crowd when performing stand-up is a great feeling, but remember to stay calm and maintain composure to ensure a successful set. Kill on stage over and over with great tips from a…

Writer's block as a stand-up comic can be frightening, but working through ideas and using free-association writing techniques can open up new avenues of inspiration. Keep writing joke after joke, no…

Writing jokes requires starting with a foundation and a strong point of view to make a connection with the audience. Find a reason to write about a certain topic with great tips from a television…

Inspiration for new jokes can come from anywhere, so always be prepared with a tape recorder when the idea strikes. Document a great joke idea on tape instead of on paper with great tips from a…

The comfort level of a stand-up comic greatly determines the success of the performance, as the audience feeds off of the performer's energy. Find out how to harness confidence on stage with great…

Jeff Dunham is a comedian, puppet master and ventriloquist who brought to life the skeleton puppet named Achmed in the popular comedy act, "Achmed the Dead Terrorist." Dunham's Achmed…

Bill Engvall is an actor, stand-up comedian and TV performer who has been entertaining audiences for over two decades. Born in Galveston, Texas in 1957, Engvall began his showbiz career as a disc…

Leotards come in many different styles, colors, cuts and fabrics. Variations can be seen in the neckline, the sleeve length and the cut of the legs. Leotards vary with trends and styles in much the…

Few instruments are associated with American popular music as fervently as the harmonica. To be sure, there is the guitar ... and then there is the harmonica. While some harmonica players play the…

The bagpipes are an ancient instrument that come not only from Scotland and Ireland, but were used in cultures ranging from Northern Africa to the Caucuses Mountains in Eastern Europe to ancient…

There's a common misconception that stand-up comics do nothing all day and tell little stories to drunken audiences at night. But most stand-up comics spend hours every day working on and perfecting…

A wood desk is a welcome addition to any home or office. Desks offer a convenient place at which to read or work. Wooden desks are available in a wide range of prices and styles. Many are models of…

Animation is based on the idea that a series of drawings that are slightly different can give the effect of motion. Making animation pictures can be done by starting your drawing at a set point and…

Having a sense of humor is a very admirable trait. People enjoy having friends who make them laugh, and the opposite sex is attracted to a good sense of humor. Like anything, some people are born…

Dance is a wonderful art and form of exercise. One of the main components of jazz dancing are jumps. Jetes are large jumps where the dancer does the splits in the air. They require a good deal of…

New York comedy has always been thriving, but in the late 1990s, an explosion happened in the underground comedy scene. Hot on the heels of their Comedy Central series, the Upright Citizen's Brigade…

A press kit is a valuable tool in generating more media attention for your stand-up comedy act. A well-written press kit will result in more exposure as it creates less work for reporters who want to…

Producing any form of theater is a challenge, but producing comedy is no joke. You'll need to arm yourself with a budget, savings to dig into and your strongest sense of humor. It's going to be a…

Decorating the table for festive fall meals can be quite a task. However, a craft like creating candlestick holders from apples can be something the older kids can do. It sure makes a great…

Teaching a dog to do a handstand can be tricky. Since handstands are not comfortable for most dogs, they do not want to do it, but if you reward them every time they do one they will listen to your…

The robot is a dance style made popular in the '60s. The dance itself is simple, but unfortunately one must have some basic dance coordination skills in order to perform this dance, or any dance. If…

For years you have been a big hit at parties. You are the one that can always be counted on for a laugh. Friends and family have said you should be a comedian, and you've finally decided to do it!…

A lot of comedians might want to be like Jerry Seinfeld. His is the Cinderella story of comedy, as he created one of the most successful situation comedies in the history of television.

Ballet is extremely difficult. It's physically challenging as well as mentally. There are tons of steps, rules and tricks to remember. Luckily once you learn the basics the rest can sort of fall into…

Humor is a wonderful way to make people happy! After all, who doesn’t love to laugh? However, just because you like to laugh doesn’t make you funny. Luckily there are plenty of resources…

Are you looking to do stand up comedy? Are you often told that you're the funny one in your group of friends, and want to see if you have what it takes? It's not as easy as it looks, and there is…

You must take many steps before actually getting paid to do comedy. There are open mic nights, bringer shows, auditions and callbacks. If you have done the open mics and the bringers, this guide will…

Juggling is an aerobic exercise. The low impact and fluid motion of juggling builds and tones muscles, which makes it an ideal exercise for all ages. You can juggle almost anything, anywhere, at any…

Actor Ben Stiller brought the character of Derek Zoolander to life. As the reigning monarch of male modeling, Derek is famous for his distinct facial poses-all of which oddly look the same. If you…

Irreverent comedian, Katt Williams has made a career out of going where some comedians fear to go; addressing the issues facing different races and the dynamics between them. He has said that he aims…

The Step Touch is a very basic move in jazz dance. In fact, it's so basic that it's also commonly used in aerobics as a basic step to get people moving. The Step Touch has many variations. Be creative…

Bill Hicks was one of the most distinctive and influential comedians of the 1990s. While cancer put a short and sad end to his career, Bill Hicks' mastery of narrative structure and comic timing makes…

Actor George Lopez is best known for his successful ABC sitcom "The George Lopez Show," which ran from March 27, 2002 to May 8, 2007. But Lopez began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s.…

Everyone wants to multiply their money. Make your friends or coworkers think you can with this magic coin trick. Turn a quarter into 2 half dollars with this illusion.

A stand-up comedy gig is one of the more difficult jobs to land. The competition is fierce because of all the talented comedians vying for the same thing: a paycheck. However, you will eventually get…

Master the basic finger positions of the castanets to create the sexy and alluring mystique of this Latin percussion instrument. With a little practice, you'll be well on the way to snapping into the…

Juggling, like most things in life, begins by learning one thing at a time. The first step to learning to juggle like a clown is tossing around a single ball. This article will teach you the…

No matter what your experience level is, you can perform a hip-hop neck roll that will have a huge impact on your performance. All you need to do is stretch out your neck and practice these steps to…

If you're the funny guy in the office or you were the class clown back in school, you may be thinking about trying out stand up comedy. Before you sign that big sitcom deal, you're going to have to…

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…

The Jerk is a fun dance from the Sixties. It is perhaps not as well-known as another Sixties dance, The Twist, but no less fun to do. What are you waiting for? Put on some good Sixties music, grab…

Comedy is a serious business. Stand up comics usually obtain their material from real-life events. Although those events are oftentimes embellished for comedic effect, they derive mostly from the…

The Golden Globes are held every year in mid-January at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. It's one of the few award shows that combines both TV and movie stars under one roof. It is a "must see" if you…

The pencil turn is one of the flashiest of a bevy of modern and historic jazz dance moves. Think of Michael Jackson standing up straight and spinning on both feet for extended periods of time and you…

The pivot step is a very simple dance move in jazz, but it is also very flashy. There are few guidelines to how the move is done, so learn the basics and then add your own flair to the step. Jazz…