Comfort Level on Stage: Stand-Up Comedy Tips

Series Summary

“So what is the deal with airports? You walk in and everybody is in such a hurry. Its like the time your dad left without you at the gas station and made you chase the car down the road while your brother and sister are in the back seat giving you the finger...what?...why is everyone leaving?...sir, please don't throw your beer at me...why is my microphone off?...” Stand up comedy is a difficult career and making it is no laughing matter. It takes work, practice, persistence, and wit sharper than Oscar Wilde's pen. It is important for a comedian to be relevant, creative, intelligent, and accessible, even when objects are being thrown at him or her from an angry customer in the audience. In this free video series, let comedian Chris Murphy school you in the art of humor as he teaches you how to do stand up comedy. Learn how to find inspiration for jokes, how to practice jokes, how to avoid being a hack and stealing jokes. Get great advice on timing jokes right, working with your audience, and overcoming stage fright. This step by step comedy lesson is sure to make you laugh and get you closer to your dream of telling jokes for a living.

Video Transcript

"Hi, on behalf of Expert Village, this is Chris Murphy at the Broadway Comedy Club, here in New York City, and today I'm going to talk about how to become a stand up comic. Hi, how are you? The first thing we're going to talk about is being comfortable and confident on stage. That is probably one of the most important things you'll ever have to do with becoming a comic. Because if you're not comfortable, there's no way you're ever going to get a laugh. If you're not comfortable, you won't be confident. If you're not confident, the audience will not have confidence in you. S how do we get that? Well if you're a newcomer, the best way to do that is: Well, before you go on stage, think of a time in your life when you were hilarious. You were on a roll and really, really in the zone. Bring that up there with you. The audience will see on your face, you'll say 'hey, they look like they like me, they have confidence in me. Then all of a sudden you're in charge, you can do anything. Also, very important, giving. You're not trying to get laughs, you're going to give laughs. Because if you give something, and don't receive it back, you don't feel so bad. But if you try to get laughs, and you don't get it, it's a lot more devastating. You have to give a great show, not get laughs, okay? You're not getting the, you're giving the laughs. "