Considering a Course in Stand-Up Comedy?
While everyone can imagine a stand-up comedian telling jokes on stage, most people have no clue what the process of being a Stand-Up Comedian is like despite being big fans of the stand-up style of comedy.
There are a lot of misunderstandings and a lack of knowledge around what the profession entails and the amount of work that goes into a good routine from conception to performance. Stand-up comedians are very hardworking and will often write hundreds of jokes to get to the handful of great ones they will use in their routine. Stand-up comedians often travel and work in a variety of settings with a variety of people, so it is a very good profession for social people.
What is Stand-Up Comedy?
Stand-up comedy is a comedic style in which a comedian performs in front of a live audience usually speaking directly to them through a microphone. The performer is commonly known as a comic, stand-up comic, comedian, comedienne, stand-up comedian, or simply a stand-up.
Stand-up comedy is usually performed at comedy clubs and is probably the most common type of performance in a comedy. Comedians are similar to storytellers – they have a special ability to make their audience care about their character. Many comedians will tell a story about their own lives, evoking not only laughter but also empathy. Good comedians succeed in making people laugh without using pranks or special gimmicks.
What Does a Stand Up Comedian Do?
If you want to do stand-up comedy the first thing you have to do is write your material which consists of bits you will be doing and the jokes you have in each bit. Your material is what makes a good stand-up comedian and this is why 80% of your time as a comic is spent working on material.
Next is the delivery, which is one of the most important parts of comedy. Delivery is how you tell or deliver a joke and its punch line. Having good delivery is all about doing your set with complete confidence that everyone in the room is going to understand the joke and laugh.
The final component of stand-up comedy is by far the most difficult, actually doing it. Public speaking is a very difficult occupation and it is extremely normal to get anxious before going on stage and worrying that your nerves are going to ruin your performance, but remember that it will get easier after the first time as you get more comfortable with being in front of an audience and are more confident in your routines.
What Will I Learn?
- You will learn how to effectively write jokes, what you should write about and the different comedy writing devices used to make your thoughts, stories, and ideas hilarious.
- You will learn about improvisation and exercises to keep creating and structuring new material.
- You will learn public speaking skills and how to perform in front of a live audience.
- You will learn how to hold and keep hold of an audience’s interest under any circumstance and how to make them laugh.
- You will learn how to deal with hecklers and how to boost confidence, creativity, and imagination.
- You will learn about stage time and how comedy shows are structured in various settings.
- You will learn timing and delivery techniques that will allow you to speak with conviction.
- You will learn how to network and market your abilities in the industry.
- You will have a better understanding of how the industry works with regards to gigs and bookings.
- You will learn about the use of voice and microphones and how to develop your style and voice.
Career Opportunities
After completing your course in Stand-Up Comedy, you can expect to work as a Stand-Up Comedian or Master of Ceremonies (MC), Comedy Writer, or Host in television, radio, or theatre.
If you’re serious about doing a course in Stand-Up Comedy and would like to learn more about the Comedy and Entertainment industry, check out courses in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.
