By Rik Roberts | www.SchoolofLaughs.com At some point, every new comedian will have a show that just gets off to a sluggish start. The laughs aren’t coming, the crowd looks confused, and something seems amiss. The comedian can blame the crowd, shrug it off and forget about it. Or, if the set was recorded, they…
Every road comic knows the frustration of leaving town with hours to spare only to find themselves stuck in traffic, construction or an airport for a rediculous amount of time. On the road, time is your enemy and technology is your friend. We discuss some of our favorite travel apps. We also discover a few new…
by Rik Roberts (www.SchoolOfLaughs.com) This question was asked as a follow up to the post on hosting tips last week. As with nearly every comedy topic the short answer is, “find what works best for you by experimenting and see how it goes.” So that’s one answer. More specifically, I feel the host (or as…
Be funny. That’s really the only rule in stand-up comedy, right? It is a biggie, and it trumps everything. The funnier you are the more you can get away with, no doubt. But there are countless unwritten rules of comedy. Most of these unspoken expectations are unsaid because only an idiot would have to…
Defining your goals is extremely important in any self-driven profession. In stand-up comedy, defining your comedy goals will set you apart from a large mass of aimless souls. Goals in and of themselves won’t make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without…
How often should I be working in new comedy material on stage? by Rik Roberts (www.SchoolOfLaughs.com) This is a GREAT question that I received twice last week. It came from both an established feature act, and a brand new aspiring comedian. As you might expect, there is no “one size fits all” answer. Some will…
Do you struggle with memorizing your jokes? Have you ever had problems with your voice during a show? What are the pros and cons of using props or musical instruments on stage? In this “after-school special” recorded with students from the writing class in Nashville, we discuss several techniques to help you tie your jokes together.…
by Rik Roberts | www.SchoolOfLaughs.com It is extremely exciting to get on stage your first time. Your nerves are rattling. Your senses heighten. The unknown lies ahead. You take the mic … and hear the laughs. The wonderful laughs of a room full of strangers agreeing with what you find funny. It feels validating. Even more, it’s…
Working in new jokes, fighting perfectionism, post performance evaluation, and bouncing back from a joke when no one laughs – this episode is all about Comedy Writing Tips! We talk exclusively about the comedy writing process in this podcast. Beginners and pros all deal with the same obstacles. How you approach them and move on…
Comedian John Garrett had enough with his day job and saw an opportunity to pursue comedy full time. So, he took a few legal pads from the supply closet and started performing in NYC. Since his arrival, he’s sharpened his wit, broadened his options and become one exceptionally funny guy. Check out this episode! We talk about:…