I recently started standup comedy in Austin, Texas. I have a background in performing as a musician, pageant queen, and speechwriter, but standup comedy is a completely new art form for me. As I’ve started, the Austin comedy community has been incredibly generous with advice, pointers, and lessons they’ve learned along the way. I started a podcast to document the process, and this page is a running list of tidbits I’ve taken away from those conversations.
Here’s what I’ve learned.
Writing Prompts, Exercises, & Tips
“But, then, because.” Write with these 3 transitions, even in spirit, meaning you don’t have to literally say those words. This helps writing be more dynamic, cut out unnecessary parts, and it gives the narrative a flow that’s interesting to follow.
Take something everyone loves and convince them why it sucks.
Take something everyone hates and convince them why it’s awesome.
Record a video of you talking about various topics. Explore funny thoughts, but don’t put pressure on yourself to be funny the whole time. Watch it back, then find and develop the funny parts that come up. Also works as a journal exercise instead of a video.
Be true to yourself and talk about things you want to talk about. “Build the playground you want to play on.”
About Performing
Have a goal every time you go on stage, and be specific. “Have fun” is not specific enough. “Do crowd work with the man in the hat in the front row,” is an example, or something else that is tangible. Make the goal one with an outcome you can control.
Project confidence. Even if you’re nervous or unsure, show the audience you’re confident so they can be confident in you.
Get the audience on your side early. If they’re not on your side, they won’t want to laugh.
Show the emotion you want the audience to feel. You are a mirror for how they should feel. Show them, don’t just tell.
Be in the room. If something happens (a drink spills, music starts playing, etc.) be present and acknowledge it, then get back to your set.
About Mindset
Bombing is inevitable. The best comics in the world do it too, and you’re not better than them. Everyone bombs. It’s okay. Just dust yourself off, learn from it, and keep going up.
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About Booking
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About Hosting and Booking
Booking a diverse lineup is important so every audience member to have someone to relate to. Diversity of race, style, topics, etc.
About Roasting
Make a list of characteristics/attributes/experiences/fun facts about the person. Brainstorm things about each of those attributes, and put them side-by-side. Roast jokes are impressive when you can tie in two things about the person instead of just hitting on one.
Get to know facts about the person before you go. Surface-level jokes have their place, but it’s more impressive if you can go further past the surface.
About Open Mics
Record every set on your voice memos or get a video. Listen to/watch every single one right after, and come back to it later to listen too. The difference between a small chuckle and a big laugh could be as small as a well-placed pause, different emphasis, taking out a few words, having a better setup, etc. Listen back to it even between mics to make those microadustments.
Miscellaneous
Record every
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