What do new comedians need to know?

You can learn the basics of stand-up comedy.

If you are interested in performing stand-up comedy then our professional development training courses can help you prepare for your first show. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the basic principles of stand-up comedy that you need to know.

Many new stand-up comedians perform original material on ‘open-mic’ comedy shows; a comedy show where the line-up is open to the public to perform. The following are some tips and advice to help you achieve success.

What are the skills for performing on an open mic comedy show?

Open Mic comedians are successfully able to write and perform original jokes.  New stand-up comedians should be able to express comedic ideas, some of which get laughs.  Open Mic comedians may be new to public speaking or the performing arts.  An open mic comedian may try stand-up comedy once and decide to continue performing amateur or professional comedy.

New stand-up comedians demonstrate knowledge:

• Identify jokes and comedy to perform.
• Pass ‘Anatomy of a Professional Stand-up Comedian’, a Comedy101 Introductory course.
• Read notes and instructions from venues, producers and crew.
• Recite and perform original comedy material live on stage.
• Locate amateur comedy shows, open mic, or open stages.

Open Mic Comedian or New comprehend these basic comedy skills:

• Ask questions to peers, venue staff, production crew and Instructors.
• Discover the basics of stand-up comedy show by researching local opportunities for stage time.
• Express original ideas for stand-up comedy material.
• Give examples of jokes to perform on stage.
• Select an open mic comedy show to sign-up for

New stand-up comedians apply knowledge by achieving these basic comedy concepts:

• Perform stand-up comedy for a live audience.
• Write funny jokes.
• Differentiate between an idea for comedy and a funny joke.
• Record audio, video or photographs of your performance.
• Schedule your performance.

New stand-up comedians use a variety of assessment tools to analyze their skills.

• Record audio or video of your performance to assess your stand-up comedy abilities.
• Explain your comedy style to a person buying a ticket to your comedy show.
• Advertise future comedy performances, if necessary.
• Break down your set list to a producer or crew member for any sound and lighting cues.
• Conclude your performance: Were you funny or not funny?

New stand-up comedians can evaluate basic comedy concepts.

• Criticize your comedic capabilities. (i.e. Is a joke memorized and performed well?)
• Assess your act, jokes and show business skills.
• Test, score or rank your performance with your peers.
• Recommend your act.  Refer others to a comedy show.
• Decide to perform again, or not.

New stand-up comedians can create original comedy.

• Compose new, original stand-up comedy routines.
• Write funny jokes. Fix unfunny jokes.
• Validate the experience of open mic stand-up comedians.
• Hypothesize next steps for amateur or professional stand-up comedy.
• Solve getting on stage or completing a show.

To learn more about our workshops and online courses visit the Comedy101 School of Stand-up Comedy.