Stand up comedy and open mic night have started gaining traction in the last few years. Almost every recreational facility, be it a bar, pub, restaurant, or club, hosts an open mic night at least once a week. Artists and comedians get to try out jokes and monologues penned by them in front of an audience. It aids them in improving their writing and performance, which subsequently paves the way for their success. The audience gets to enjoy a light-hearted performance that may wipe out their Monday blues.
Stand up comedy involves two parts –writing and stage performance. Writing is an integral part of standup comedy open mic. You will be writing the act on your own. The foundation of the act will depend on it. Writing the best material won’t make you a good stand up comedian or open mic performer if you don’t learn how to perform on a stage. Artists must know how to present on a stage, build up to a joke’s climax, and deliver the punchline.
How to Get Better at Stand Up Comedy Open Mic?
If you are foraying into the field of stand up comedy and open mic, you can give your career a jumpstart by following a few considerations.
Attend Stand Up Comedy Open Mic Workshops
As surprising as it sounds, you require training to become a stand up comedy open mic performer. You may have good comic timing and the ability to write jokes, but it does not guarantee your success as a professional. Every renowned stand up comedian has had one or more instructors.
Many stand up comedy workshops are organized by renowned names in the field. They may offer beginner classes for individuals who are new to the field and advanced classes for comedians with some experience. A workshop can teach you various techniques to write jokes. The instructor or coach will be able to provide inputs on your writing and help improve it further. They will inform you about structuring jokes appropriately and developing great punch lines. You may work with them to create a 5-minute long stand up comedy open mic routine. Artists with some experience in the field may improve their writing and learn the intricacies of the business in advanced workshops. You may have the aptitude to succeed at stand up comedy open mic but having a coach will help you realize your full potential.
Start Small
When you are stepping into the world of stand up comedy, don’t expect to write and deliver thirty minutes of performance. Most open mics generally allow five to ten minutes for new stand up comedy open mic performers. Generally, multiple artists perform on a single day, and they are all accommodated in the available time. Aim for a 3 to 5-minute performance when you are testing the waters. It won’t make you feel overwhelmed.
Prepare
While watching some of the best stand up comedians in the business, you may wonder how their performance is so seamless. Well, the secret behind their prowess is preparation. No matter how experienced or skilled an artist is, they will never present off the cuff. You might be quick-witted, but wits will only get you so far. Many beginners often end up freezing in front of the audience as they were unprepared. It often happens when the response of the audience is unfavorable. Preparation makes it easy to perform while allowing you to recover from a joke or punchline that bombs. Write the material beforehand and refine it as you practice. You can even bring your notes on stage to stand up comedy open mic events. They can be handy in case you forget something during your performance. At the same time, don’t simply read the jokes from the page. Engage with your audience and maintain eye contact.
Practice
Regular practice is the only way to get better at stand up comedy open mic. It would be best if you write jokes regularly. To test them out, perform in front of your friends, family, or partner and see how they react. Use their feedback to revise and improve your content and delivery. You can also record yourself while you practice and analyze the performance later. It will aid in recognizing the areas that you need to work on and improving your future performances.
Ask the organizers if you can practice at the venue beforehand. It will familiarize you with the stage and surroundings. On the day of the performance, the host will signal you regarding the amount of time you have left. By getting accustomed to the venue, you will know where to look for regarding directions or remaining time. Even when you are performing in front of an audience, request the organizer for a copy of your act. It will not only act as memorabilia but also assist in analyzing and improving your future performances.
Experience Stand up Comedy Open Mic as Audience
While it is essential to have an experience of stage performance, it is equally vital to see how the audience reacts to comedians. Go to the open mic events of other stand up comedians as a spectator. Observe how they perform and the way their audience reacts to the act. It will give you a feel for the audience’s expectations. You get to watch other stand up comedians and learn from their performances. At the same time, you will be able to judge where you stand as compared to other individuals in the field. It may help you realize that you can perform as well as, if not better, than the artists on the stage or that you need to work on your open mic skills. The experience can be a confidence booster while allowing you to realize your current prowess as a stand up comedian.
Get on Stage
It is important to get on stage as soon as possible to succeed at stand up comedy open mic. Many workshops may culminate courses with a live performance in front of an audience. The participants receive exposure and can overcome stage fright. Even if you have an off day at a stand up comedy open mic event, you will still have plenty of lessons to take away from it. Remember that your performances will be better, and your experience will grow richer every time you get on stage. Clubs, bars, restaurants, pubs, and other recreational facilities may host stand up comedy or open mic nights. Inexperienced individuals may be charged a fee, but it will give you the opportunity to test your jokes and improve your performance.
