Going full time into comedy can be intimidating. Leaving the comfort of a job with benefits for a life on the road is a dream for some folks. For others, it is a nightmare. Former School Of Laughs student Brian Bates flipped the switch this past month after twenty years at a TV station job…
by Rik Roberts (www.SchoolOfLaughs.com) Is your comedy career better than it was one year ago? Are you where you thought you would be? Take a minute and think before you answer. Wait. One … more … second. Okay. If you immediately answered YES – congratulations! You are moving towards your goals and making progress. Let’s keep that momentum going…
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…
Great comedians come in all shapes and sizes. And they all excel in one or more of these “traits of the comedy greats.” Some combine three or more traits, while others get by with just one or two. What traits are we talking about? Brilliant Material Ability to connect with an audience Perseverance Unique Delivery Sharp Comic…
Understanding your value is the only way to be confident in charging a “full fee” for your show. In the comedy clubs, you have very little (if any) leverage. You are told what they have to pay and you take it or leave it. Check out this episode! If you are pursuing corporate, fund raiser,…
by Rik Roberts (www.SchoolOfLaughs.com) Are you in the middle of nowhere? Are you miles from a city with a comedy night, let alone a comedy club? Do you want to start putting shows together to get some stage time? You are not alone, even though you may feel isolated. Joshua, a podcast listener from Iowa,…
by Rik Roberts | School OF Laughs Performing comedy for the sheer fun of it is great. Bringing laughter to any group is a noble cause. But after awhile, if you have an act that is dependable, consistent and marketable – it’s time to make a dime. The first step is an honest reality check…
Comedian Andy Hendrickson started out by taking a comedy class and kept the pedal to the metal all the way up to his appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman. Check out this episode! Andy is a smart, clever comic with a laser focused delivery on stage. We discuss the sacrifices you make to…