Tips For Performing Stand-up Comedy
Insights From a
Portland Comedian
by: Dennis Cruise
While comedy is supposed to “feel like a conversation,” the dialogue is usually scripted and formed to create talking points and ideas the comedian may want to relate to the audience.
It’s prepared ahead of time. Its delivered on the spot. It can change due to audience or environment. However, I have found the following TIPS to be very helpful in maintaining composure and presence, which will allow you to deliver the funny:
• Practice, Practice, Practice:
The more you rehearse, the more comfortable and confident you will feel on stage.
It takes effort and skill to do something right once. It takes patience to change one little thing and try again, and again, and again. The more you practice your material, the more comfortable it will feel when you say it in front of an audience, and that will show through in your performance. If you have ever seen someone stumble through a speech, impromptu or rehearsed, you understand the benefits of practice. Going over material can also open opportunities you may not have time to recognize while performing on stage. A new tag, a new perspective, a new bit.
• Know your material:
Make sure you are familiar with the script, lyrics, or material you will be performing, and understand the meaning behind it.
The audience doesn’t ‘know’ you. They only see what you present and how you present it. It, being YOU as a comic. If you don’t know what you are saying, how can they be expected to laugh at the funny? If you don’t know WHY you are saying it, how can they be expected to appreciate it? It doesn’t have to mean anything...taking a shit is taking a shit...but there might be a reason for it, and sometimes the audience needs that reason to make it funny.
• Engage with the Audience:
Make eye contact and connect with your audience, it helps build a rapport and makes the performance more engaging for everyone.
It doesn’t have to be much, but recognizing the audience and engaging with them in some fashion has benefits to allowing them to be comfortable with you and your material. It doesn’t have to be creepy, unless that is part of the funny, but a gesture and a nod, a pointed finger and a “this guy knows what I am talking about” can go a long way to allowing your audience to be engaged, and the jokes to get laughs.
• Use body language and facial expressions:
These can help convey the emotions and meaning behind your performance.
When you are on a stage, performing, EVERYONE CAN SEE YOU.
They see how you stand, how you carry yourself, and how you perform. Be aware of this and use it during your set. If you gesture with your hands, exaggerate a little in the motions, for effect. Does it help? Then keep doing it. Does it distract? Then stop that shit right now. Practice your set in front of a mirror. Full length if possible, naked at all times (just kidding…). Look at how you move without thinking, and think about how you move. Do you hang your head and look away from the audience? Is it FUNNY when you do that? (See previous step for actions)
• Speak or Sing clearly:
Proper enunciation and projection will help ensure that your audience can understand and appreciate your performance.
If they can’t hear you, they can’t laugh. If they can’t understand you, they can’t laugh.
• Be yourself and enjoy it:
Don't try to be someone else on stage, let your personality shine through, and remember that you're doing something you love.
“Be Yourself” is an easy thing to say. Its impossible to do. What is meant by it is be comfortable with what you are doing, on stage and off. Be as real as you want to be. But be honest with yourself about what it is you are presenting on stage. Is it something YOU are comfortable with? Is it what you think best conveys what you are trying to do/say/present? Does it help? Then keep doing it. Does it distract? Then stop that shit right now.
• Pro Tip:
Take care of yourself, rest well, and eat well before the performance.
~
Always take care of yourself. That is also what these tips are for. To keep your head in the game, to stay on top of what is happening, you need to be awake and aware. Being healthy is also a great tip. If these are helpful, great! If you have tips or suggestions, maybe you to can add to this, or create your own set of tips and SHARE that knowledge.
We all want to do our best. By sharing the information you have, you help the whole community.
by Dennis Cruise
Dennis Cruise is a Portland comedian who has been doing comedy for several years. He produces Black Bag comedy shows and has been featured on showcases, podcasts and festivals all over Portland and the PNW! Dennis also maintains pdxfunny.org, a calendar of shows and mics here in Portland, OR