Trying Out Stand-up Comedy - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

LordEden · 06-27-2009, 03:09 PM

I couldn't find a thread on this anywhere in my searches, so I think I'm good on posting a new one.

I want to try my hand at stand-up comedy. I've been thinking of this for a while and discussing it with my friends. I want to try it and I think I could be good at it with practice. Has anyone every went to an open-mic or amateur night at a comedy club?
Did you like the comics up there or did you hate being there? Even better, has anyone actually got up on stage and did their bit?

I'm trying to track down places in my area that does amateur night and try my hand at it. Doing something like that would be be fun as hell and I'd love to making a career out of it. Love to hear if any TFPers have done standup before.

Cynthetiq · 06-27-2009, 03:22 PM

I havne't but I do have friends that do, and they find it rewarding. I even know friend who have taken stand up comedy school.

ratbastid · 06-27-2009, 03:28 PM

Here's what you do. Hop on I-40 and get yourself to Winston Salem, and come to The Garage for one of their open mic comedy nights. The host is a good friend of mine, and the crowd is very welcoming to newbies.

Probably be good to go a couple times and feel out the crowd. Then one night, throw yourself on the list, go up front, and wail. Be willing to learn a lot, your first night!!

Baraka_Guru · 06-27-2009, 03:37 PM

I haven't tried it, but I've heard what it can be like.

Some tips:

Grow a thick skin
Don't take things personally--if you bomb, it's not that they don't find you funny; it's that they don't find your material funny.
Don't give up after your first night; it's something you work at, and something you develop, just like any other talent.

Psycho Dad · 06-27-2009, 04:40 PM

Some day I'm going to give this a shot myself. What I plan to do is go all out on fucking with the audience. Then the ensuing assbeating will give me a chance to try out UFC style fighting. Since I rarely have time to try new things, crossing both of these off the list in one night will save me a lot of time.

LordEden · 06-27-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

Here's what you do. Hop on I-40 and get yourself to Winston Salem, and come to The Garage for one of their open mic comedy nights. The host is a good friend of mine, and the crowd is very welcoming to newbies.

Probably be good to go a couple times and feel out the crowd. Then one night, throw yourself on the list, go up front, and wail. Be willing to learn a lot, your first night!!

Thanks for the link man, i'm going to check that place out. I'm only a hour and a half away from the place, so not to far away. Going to go to open mic there and check it out once for fun then get my set ready.

ratbastid · 06-27-2009, 06:08 PM

Cool. There's a monthly open-mic at a comedy club in Greensboro too, and it's a lot of fun--probably worth another half-hour of drive time each way.

squeeeb · 06-27-2009, 07:17 PM

ROCK ON MAN!!!!!!! i've thought about it, maybe some day i'll try, but haven't yet. good luck, kick some ass!

Martian · 06-27-2009, 08:32 PM

Never done stand up, but general tips for being on stage:

Smile. Make eye contact. The only performer I've ever seen who did well without making eye contact is Mitch Hedburg.

Don't Take It Personally. They may love you or hate you, and you can't let either go to your head.

Move around. Be dynamic. Standing in one spot like a wood carving makes you seem nervous, and audiences can smell fear. They're like wolves. You will be nervous; especially your first time, but every time after that also. Those butterflies never go away completely, but it's important not to let it show.

Don't go up drunk. It's a bad idea, and leads only to bad things.

Assume you're going to bomb your first night. Everybody bombs the first time they get in front of a bunch of strangers. Learn from it.

The long-standing moratorium in show business applies here, so I'll say break a leg.

Baraka_Guru · 06-28-2009, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

Assume you're going to bomb your first night. Everybody bombs the first time [...].

YouTube - The Matrix, Jump Program

ratbastid · 06-28-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

audiences can smell fear. They're like wolves.

Yes and no, on this one. The open mic at the Garage isn't like Night at the Apollo. The whole event is built around 5-minute sets by a broad range of comics with a broad range of experience and skill. Some of them, all they've got is the ability to string together cuss words. Others are doing high-concept art up there. One of the best ones I ever saw was a guy telling a story about a drunken night--he's not a comic, he's just got this one killer story, and he went up and told it, and it was awesome.

It's not a particularly tough crowd, and the WANT you to be great. They're PULLING for you to be great. The crowd at an amateur open-mic is full of comics and aspiring comics, and is very much on your side.

Lasereth · 06-28-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

Here's what you do. Hop on I-40 and get yourself to Winston Salem, and come to The Garage for one of their open mic comedy nights. The host is a good friend of mine, and the crowd is very welcoming to newbies.

Probably be good to go a couple times and feel out the crowd. Then one night, throw yourself on the list, go up front, and wail. Be willing to learn a lot, your first night!!

Oh man that's great. My mom actually used to be partners with the guy that owns that place and helped open it up and run it for years. My mom, myself, and my brother and sister painted that place years ago to get it ready to be a venue. Right across the street is Elliot's Revue and Silvermoon Saloon, two bars that my mom owns and manages. I actually work 300 feet from The Garage.

It's a small world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LordEden · 06-28-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lasereth

Oh man that's great. My mom actually used to be partners with the guy that owns that place and helped open it up and run it for years. My mom, myself, and my brother and sister painted that place years ago to get it ready to be a venue. Right across the street is Elliot's Revue and Silvermoon Saloon, two bars that my mom owns and manages. I actually work 300 feet from The Garage.

It's a small world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude that rocks! I'm not going to the open mic this coming week but I'm going the week after 4th of July weekend. You should come to see me and see if i kill or bomb.

I love being on stage so I know that part of it I have nothing to worry about. I figure letterman won't be calling after my first night, but it will give me experence I need and the knowledge of doing something for the first time. I've been waiting to do this for YEARS. Ratbastid, you said they do 5 mintue sets? That was my biggest question was how much time they gave you. I read that you should have a set that is twice as you have time for, that way you can mix it up if people arn't laughing at your jokes.

ratbastid · 06-28-2009, 12:57 PM

We should have a little get-together for Eden's first night up! Get us a date and firm time, and we'll do it!

DaniGirl · 06-28-2009, 01:18 PM

I think stand-up comedy sounds like an awesome ambition, I hope you make it
Good Luck

LordEden · 06-28-2009, 03:05 PM

Let me get my set together and I'll let you know for sure when i'll be there for my first night. I'd love he support from you guys and an unbais opinion of my set.

Punk.of.Ages · 06-28-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

Don't go up drunk. It's a bad idea, and leads only to bad things.

Maybe not for comedy, but I do much, much, much better on stage with a couple beers in me. I'm not talking sloshy drunk, but a good buzz. It loosens me up and helps me "feel" the music better...

************************************

First off, let me say that I think it's very rad that you want to get into comedy. It's something I've thought about getting into from time to time also. In fact when I was in high school I did a comedy bit for a school program deal. I got a lot of laughs and it was overall a fun experience.

That's the only time I've ever done any stand up comedy, but I have spent a fair amount of time on stage as a musician. The first time I got on stage I could barely breathe at first. I just looked across the "crowd", took a deep breath, pounded a beer, and.... blew it. Bad.

My vocals were way louder than our instruments, my cable fell out of my guitar repeatedly, I forgot lyrics, and these were just my mistakes. The drummer couldn't keep tempo for his life that night, the backup vocalist was too shy to sing audibly, and the bassist kept dropping his pick and bending over to pick it up...

We were just awful, man, but fuckin' eh, we had a blast...

I guess the advice I'm trying to give here is have fun with it and dont be too hard on yourself.

Good luck, man. I wish I was closer. I'd like to come see you...

Martian · 06-28-2009, 07:45 PM

A couple of beers is one thing. Drunk is something else.

I've seen guys on stage who couldn't quite manage standing up straight. It never ends well.

The hardest thing for me was learning how to make friends with the crowd. I think for musicians this is a bit harder, since we're more focused internally. A comedian has to engage the crowd by definition.

Crowds are scary. Getting used to them is hard. But it's also where the rush comes from.

Caution: You may get addicted.

Charlatan · 06-28-2009, 09:51 PM

I did an open mic night back in University. Some friends talked me into it.

The hard part is writing funny material. The second hardest part is delivering it.

I got a few laughs and left a few stink bombs on the stage. I didn't do it again because I think I am more a born heckler than a stand up.

LordEden · 06-29-2009, 05:29 AM

I don't plan on having more than two beers before I go on stage, just something to drink to pass the time till my turn. I'd like to go near the beginning, so I can get it over with. Pop the cherry and get it over with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

I didn't do it again because I think I am more a born heckler than a stand up.

You are not allowed to come to any of my stand-up routines.

Lasereth · 06-29-2009, 12:17 PM

If you do it at the Garage I'll be there.

ratbastid · 06-29-2009, 06:54 PM

Sweet. I'm pretty sure I can get the girls up for it. Any other NC'ers around?

Xerxys · 06-29-2009, 07:43 PM

Wheres Gucci @

Lasereth · 06-30-2009, 04:01 AM

BTW I can't make it the weekend of the 11th. This weekend or the weekend after the 11th but not the 11th.

LordEden · 06-30-2009, 02:34 PM

Well, it's closed till the 10th so it will have to be after the 11th. Looks like the next comedy open mic night is the 23rd of July (Thursday). I plan on being there on the 23rd and getting up on stage. Gives me little under a month to get my set together and work on it. Sound good to you guys?

ratbastid · 06-30-2009, 07:03 PM

I think I can work that out.

Lasereth · 07-01-2009, 04:50 AM

Same, I'll be there.

Lasereth · 07-20-2009, 04:23 AM

Well the 23rd is close. Is this still on?

LordEden · 07-20-2009, 04:50 AM

I'm going to be there, some of my friends may show up, but I'm not sure yet. I need to call them and see if I need to sign up and what time should I show up, general info kind of shit.

invalidiuser · 07-20-2009, 06:34 AM

Never done it but if your jokes are funny and your delivery of the jokes is good then your pretty much golden. I don't really care if a person is new, shy, scared, etc... as long as his/her jokes are funny and with good delivery of it.

Good luck on your journey.

ratbastid · 07-20-2009, 11:21 AM

Hm.... Something has come up that night. Let me see if I can move it.

Lasereth · 07-22-2009, 05:20 AM

What time will you be on stage/what time does it start?

LordEden · 07-22-2009, 05:35 AM

That's a good question, I'm not entirely sure, I'll call today. I plan on leaving my house a little before 6 here in hickory. It will take me a 1 to 1 1/2 hours to get there. It opens at 6 and the show starts at 9:30, so I'm going to try to be there around 8ish. I'm going into work last the next day so I'm not to worried about being there late.

ratbastid · 07-22-2009, 05:56 AM

Want me to see if the woman I know who hosts the thing is available to answer your questions? If you want, PM me your email or phone number and I'll ask her to contact you.

Here's an article about her and this event from the Winston-Salem Journal from May:
Make'em Laugh

She's a good friend of mine and a total sweetheart. Incidentally, she just made it past the first round of eliminations in the UCC comedy competition.

LordEden · 07-22-2009, 08:49 AM

I just got an email back from the contact on the website, says signups are at 8 and show starts at 9:30. I didn't really have any other questions about it, besides what time it started and when I needed to signup. I plan on leaving right around 6 and going straight there. Thanks tho rat, hope to see you and the ladies there.

Lasereth · 07-23-2009, 11:30 AM

I'll show up at 8:45-9:00ish. I'll be wearing a black t-shirt and brown shorts; my wife will be in a black skirt/purple shirt.

ratbastid · 07-23-2009, 11:45 AM

D'oh. I can't change what I've got going on tonight.

Give 'em hell, Eden! I'll come to the next one.

Somebody's going to post video of it, right?

LordEden · 07-23-2009, 12:15 PM

I'll be there before 8, black polo shirt and kakai shorts.

I hope no one is video taping my first time. Let's wait until I'm not nervous to get on stage to tape it.

Hopefully I'll be back next month to do it.

PS. Rat I am actually disappointed, I was hoping to meet you and the ladies. Would been fun.

CinnamonGirl · 07-23-2009, 12:29 PM

I won't be there, since it's a bit of a drive from Ohio, but break a leg-- wait... do you say that for comics as well as actors? hmmmm...anyway, have fun, and knock 'em dead!

ratbastid · 07-23-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordEden

PS. Rat I am actually disappointed, I was hoping to meet you and the ladies. Would been fun.

Yeah, I am too. We'll hook it up next time. Do you know the date? I'll go to work clearing our calendar now.

06-27-2009, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I havne't but I do have friends that do, and they find it rewarding. I even know friend who have taken stand up comedy school. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

06-27-2009, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I haven't tried it, but I've heard what it can be like. Some tips: Grow a thick skin Don't take things personally--if you bomb, it's not that they don't find you funny; it's that they don't find your material funny. Don't give up after your first night; it's something you work at, and something you develop, just like any other talent. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

06-27-2009, 04:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	Some day I'm going to give this a shot myself. What I plan to do is go all out on fucking with the audience. Then the ensuing assbeating will give me a chance to try out UFC style fighting. Since I rarely have time to try new things, crossing both of these off the list in one night will save me a lot of time. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

06-27-2009, 07:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
squeeeb part of the problem Location: hic et ubique	ROCK ON MAN!!!!!!! i've thought about it, maybe some day i'll try, but haven't yet. good luck, kick some ass! __________________ onward to mayhem!

06-27-2009, 08:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Never done stand up, but general tips for being on stage: Smile. Make eye contact. The only performer I've ever seen who did well without making eye contact is Mitch Hedburg. Don't Take It Personally. They may love you or hate you, and you can't let either go to your head. Move around. Be dynamic. Standing in one spot like a wood carving makes you seem nervous, and audiences can smell fear. They're like wolves. You will be nervous; especially your first time, but every time after that also. Those butterflies never go away completely, but it's important not to let it show. Don't go up drunk. It's a bad idea, and leads only to bad things. Assume you're going to bomb your first night. Everybody bombs the first time they get in front of a bunch of strangers. Learn from it. The long-standing moratorium in show business applies here, so I'll say break a leg. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

06-27-2009, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Here's what you do. Hop on I-40 and get yourself to Winston Salem, and come to The Garage for one of their open mic comedy nights. The host is a good friend of mine, and the crowd is very welcoming to newbies. Probably be good to go a couple times and feel out the crowd. Then one night, throw yourself on the list, go up front, and wail. Be willing to learn a lot, your first night!!

06-27-2009, 06:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Cool. There's a monthly open-mic at a comedy club in Greensboro too, and it's a lot of fun--probably worth another half-hour of drive time each way.

06-28-2009, 12:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	We should have a little get-together for Eden's first night up! Get us a date and firm time, and we'll do it!

06-28-2009, 01:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
DaniGirl Addict Location: Fucking Utah...	I think stand-up comedy sounds like an awesome ambition, I hope you make it Good Luck

06-28-2009, 07:45 PM	#18 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	A couple of beers is one thing. Drunk is something else. I've seen guys on stage who couldn't quite manage standing up straight. It never ends well. The hardest thing for me was learning how to make friends with the crowd. I think for musicians this is a bit harder, since we're more focused internally. A comedian has to engage the crowd by definition. Crowds are scary. Getting used to them is hard. But it's also where the rush comes from. Caution: You may get addicted. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

06-28-2009, 09:51 PM	#19 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I did an open mic night back in University. Some friends talked me into it. The hard part is writing funny material. The second hardest part is delivering it. I got a few laughs and left a few stink bombs on the stage. I didn't do it again because I think I am more a born heckler than a stand up. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

06-29-2009, 12:17 PM	#21 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	If you do it at the Garage I'll be there. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

06-29-2009, 06:54 PM	#22 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Sweet. I'm pretty sure I can get the girls up for it. Any other NC'ers around?

06-29-2009, 07:43 PM	#23 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Wheres Gucci @

06-30-2009, 04:01 AM	#24 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	BTW I can't make it the weekend of the 11th. This weekend or the weekend after the 11th but not the 11th. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

06-30-2009, 07:03 PM	#26 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	I think I can work that out.

07-01-2009, 04:50 AM	#27 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Same, I'll be there. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

07-20-2009, 04:23 AM	#28 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Well the 23rd is close. Is this still on? __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

07-20-2009, 06:34 AM	#30 (permalink)
invalidiuser Upright	Never done it but if your jokes are funny and your delivery of the jokes is good then your pretty much golden. I don't really care if a person is new, shy, scared, etc... as long as his/her jokes are funny and with good delivery of it. Good luck on your journey.

07-20-2009, 11:21 AM	#31 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Hm.... Something has come up that night. Let me see if I can move it.

07-22-2009, 05:20 AM	#32 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	What time will you be on stage/what time does it start? __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

07-22-2009, 05:56 AM	#34 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Want me to see if the woman I know who hosts the thing is available to answer your questions? If you want, PM me your email or phone number and I'll ask her to contact you. Here's an article about her and this event from the Winston-Salem Journal from May: Make'em Laugh She's a good friend of mine and a total sweetheart. Incidentally, she just made it past the first round of eliminations in the UCC comedy competition.

07-23-2009, 11:30 AM	#36 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I'll show up at 8:45-9:00ish. I'll be wearing a black t-shirt and brown shorts; my wife will be in a black skirt/purple shirt. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

07-23-2009, 11:45 AM	#37 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	D'oh. I can't change what I've got going on tonight. Give 'em hell, Eden! I'll come to the next one. Somebody's going to post video of it, right?

07-23-2009, 12:29 PM	#39 (permalink)
CinnamonGirl She's Actual Size Location: Central Republic of Where-in-the-Hell	I won't be there, since it's a bit of a drive from Ohio, but break a leg-- wait... do you say that for comics as well as actors? hmmmm...anyway, have fun, and knock 'em dead! __________________ "...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world." "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"