Sometimes I get calls from people who have never put on a comedy evidence who want to hire me for a gig.  The thing that surprises them most is when I tell them that the prove shouldn't go over xc minutes.  No matter how keen a crowd is, they starting time to tire (or get as well drunkard) at the hour and half betoken.  Yes, there are exceptions.  A big name might practice around 75 minutes on his/her own.

90-infinitesimal shows aren't always possible, especially for open up mic night.  If yous can, experiment from week to week at early and belatedly spots in the bear witness.  Inquire whoever runs it if you can go earlier or later on if you're in skillful standing with them.  (That's a big if)  At some bars, the oversupply tires, at others information technology fills up.

Then this week's tip, if y'all're planning a show, try to go on it at ninety minutes.  If you're planning an open mic, two hours is probably unavoidable, but if you can trim it down, delight do.  Or put the comics who all the same need to pay their dues at the end after the 2-hour mark.  If yous want to up your game, have on the challenge of going later in the prove.  (I will be doing this more often in the summer when I'm non getting up at 6:00 a.1000. to teach the chil'ren all day.)

**If you're want to give a few guys some longer sets, attempt this:  Keep the comics at 5 minutes or less when you have a dozen on the listing.  I know the math calculates that at 12*5 = but i hour, but and so you have time for an MC to warm the oversupply up and then let a couple of comics do closer to x minutes at the end of the prove.  (Having a longer set in the middle of an open mic by a strong comic tin drain the crowd's free energy.)

I know there are a lot of comics who want to try a ten minute set then gauge how well an MC set would go.  The thing is, nearly guys in their commencement two years waste a infinitesimal or two with useless/wordy setups.  Knowing y'all only have v minutes will shave your jokes and brand you funnier than having a few throw-away jokes for a seven-ten minute set.  The audience volition stay more attentive as well.

For more tips on everything comedy, read Don't Wear Shorts on Stage.

With an English Caste, iii years as a doorman at the Columbus Funnybone, over a decade of stand-upward experience, and a contempo certification in didactics high school English class, writing a book seemed like the next inevitable step for Rob Durham. The son of a coach, Rob has an excellent ability to teach and explain things in the easiest and most direct manner possible. His (ofttimes labeled ridiculous) retentivity allows him to call up of every possible state of affairs that a new comic might confront because at one point he was there too. Rob gives an within look at comedy that doesn't sugarcoat the challenges every performer faces. Without ego and the myth that "anyone can practise it" Rob gives the reader a true feel of what living the and so-chosen dream feels similar, from preparing for that beginning open mic night to touring the land. View all posts by Rob Durham