So You Want To Get Started In Stand-Up...
That's wonderful! I can't wait to buy tickets to your show at the Beacon Theater! I'm sure you'll be there in just a few years.
If I may offer some advice that will help accelerate your career as a stand-up:
- start writing,
- read two books,
- take a comedy class.
That’s it. That’s all you need. This magic combo should get you well on your way to finding your creative voice, landing an agent, and booking your first multi-million dollar endorsement deal. For Juul.
The single most important step is to start writing. Right now. Don’t even finish this [amazing, life changing] blog post. But if you already pushed through and didn’t heed my advice then just continue reading. I don’t want to stop you on your meteoric rise to international stardom. Just promise me that as soon as we’re done here you’ll start writing, okay?
The books will give you a solid writing foundation. You'll learn joke structure. You'll learn how to write and edit material. And you'll gain a few tips on how to perform.
But then get back to the writing. It’s really the most important part of this whole thing.
The third thing, the class, will help. It’ll shortcut the process of putting together your first five minute set; it'll get you on stage faster, and you'll learn how to get on stage in the first place—which isn't always easy to figure out.
My recommendations?
Book 1: Stephen Rosenfield's Mastering Stand-Up: The Complete Guide to Becoming a Successful Comedian
Book 2: Judy Carter's The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom--The Comedy Writer's Ultimate "How To" Guide
Class: Manhattan Comedy School. I took a few of their classes and loved them. I also built their website!