It’s been said the number one fear is public speaking. If that’s true, then speaking and being expected to be funny must take that notion and multiply it by 1000x. For some it’s simply a fear of looking stupid or saying something dumb. Hey, guess what – that’s comedy! For others, though, it’s an…
Nothing is more serious in standup comedy than a showcase night. Whether your showcase set is at a festival, for TV or simply to get booked by a club – you’ve got to be prepared. Putting together your set can drive you crazy. This podcast is all about picking the right material for the showcase…
Coming up with new material can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be. When writer’s block rears its ugly head, you need to have a plan in place and keep moving forward. No doubt, the pressure to be funny can sometimes prevent you from even writing down an idea. That is a mistake. Write…
Like it or not, part Of the job of a comedian is “sales”. You are constantly selling your act, selling your professionalism, selling yourself to bookers, owners, managers, agents and audiences. If you can’t spend some time to develop that skill, you will struggle. It’s plain, and simple. Check out this episode! Whether you represent…
By Rik Roberts | www.SchoolOfLaughs.com How many jokes have you written but not got around to performing? Be honest. Is it more than you would like to admit? What are you waiting for? You can’t make something better until you make it first. In other words, the new and improved version will always be on…
With the talk of presidential candidates in the air here in the United States, I got to thinking about what I want in a leader. Oddly enough, many traits we identified are also traits of great comedians. Candidates are definitely characters. Comedians are as well. But what are the common links that cross over from…
You may feel like you are making huge strides in your comedy career, but are you? Most performers find a comfortable little comedy “safe place” and never wander beyond it. We all know comics who could be SO MUCH BETTER. Maybe, that comic is yourself. This episode gives more than 23 actionable tips you can…
Former student Paulina Combow stops by the studios to inspire and inform us of her progress. Paulina attended college in a small town in Western, KY where she learned Mass Communications. After graduating, she felt a “comedy internal clock” ticking and decided to berth that comedy baby. She started in the Fall of 2011 and…
A common question I hear is “what do I do if I feel my comedy has leveled off, or plateaued?” Check out this episode! It’s a great, insightful question that infers both frustration and aspiration. To help relieve the first and achieve the second, we’ve put together a podcast and a “scorecard” to help you…
This week, in honor of LaughFest you get two bonus interviews. Last year I was honored to perform in the clean comedy showcase during the festival. It was a blast and I got to work with several great comedians. You’ve already heard the interviews with Andy Hendrickson, Pat McGann, and James P. Connolly. This week I am releasing…