If you decided to subscribe to my blog, this means you’re interested in comedy and humor. Well, guess what! In this article, you’ll find out how to learn the art of being a comedian. The tips that I give out here is something that I went through myself, and the only things that really helped me! Honestly, I wish I knew some of these tips before.
Tip No.1
Conquer your stage fright. Set up small off-stage shows as often as possible to get used to performing in public. Try to give someone an entertaining lecture about a topic you’re passionate about. Volunteer at a museum, which will give you an obedient audience to practice on. Work to get on stage under the spotlights and in front of an audience waiting for you to perform and make them laugh. Go to “open microphones” where the audience won’t expect too much of you – try yourself there. This will help you overcome stage fright. This fear can be overcome by going on stage more and more often. Yes, it can be scary, but it can also be your most exciting experience.
Tip No. 2
Choose a goal (or topic to joke about). This should be a topic that you have a lot to say about. Many comedians start out by talking about their personal experiences – it doesn’t have to be a topic they know a lot about, but it’s better to ridicule themselves than others at the beginning of their performances.
Research your chosen topic. You will look like a fool if you don’t know what you are talking about.
Perform with a show. It shouldn’t be too long, but long enough to cover your time.
Tip No. 3
Exercise. It might be a cliché, but practice leads to perfection. Train in front of your family and friends, in front of a mirror, and even in the shower. There’s no way to know the material too well.
Relax and have fun.
Foreplay and Action
Choose a unique but understandable to others topic (for example, marriage).
Say something sincere and insightful about this topic. This is something sincere/insightful/not necessarily funny is called foreplay. For example, here’s foreplay for the topic about marriage: “It’s a strange thing about marriage – those things that initially attracted you to a woman will eventually become what annoys you most.”
Accompany your foreplay with a humorous “action.” For example, “when we first met, my wife laughed like an angel, now she laughs like that …” (imitate laughter).
Other Tips
- You can also try mimicking in your performance.
- Know your audience (no need to joke about Britney Spears in front of war veterans).
- Prepare to speak, so you don’t forget your words. Speaking without preparation can turn into awkwardness, so find the words, present them artistically and enjoy the success.
- If you have forgotten your words, continue speaking as if nothing had happened. Whatever you do, don’t let the audience find out about that. Get off the stage if you start to mumble – there is nothing worse than that. Leave the stage gracefully, say good night, thank the audience and wait for the applause. Remember to leave the stage if you forgot your act.
- You do not need to remember your speech by heart, but you should remember the introduction and the climax.
- Have fun and be yourself. The audience will love to watch your performance if you appear cheerful.
- It might be worth taking a stand-up lesson.
- Don’t go too far with racial, religious, and political jokes.
- Attend performances by famous stand-up comedians.
What You Need to Prepare:
- A notebook
- A voice recorder
- A site with information about “open microphones” (do not forget to call first and find out the time and location, as they sometimes change).
