Five things you should know about attempting stand up comedy for the first time

By Chris Mailloux

You’ve been considering it for a while now but you keep thinking of reasons not to do it. You’ve finally run out of excuses you have gathered enough courage to try stand up comedy but you don’t know how to go about it. Well here are five important tips for performing comedy for the first time.

Open Mic

The first thing you need to know about doing stand-up comedy for your first time is to find a venue. Most likely your only option is an open mic, which is good because the audience is often open to different jokes. They understand the people performing are usually new and nervous.

Write a Set

This is important, don’t walk on the stage expecting to do improv. You can try it but have some jokes written so you have something to fall back on. Having pre-written jokes shows the audience you put thought into the set and you’re taking this experience seriously.

Practice

This is your first time but it will help calm your nerves if you memorized some of your jokes. It gives you a chance to help prevent blanking as soon as you walk on stage.

Relax

You’re probably really nervous before the event so don’t stress over it. Just remember you’re not the first person to do something like this and you won’t be the last. Take some breaths and just focus on telling those jokes. Ignore the audience if you have to but just take it easy and try to enjoy the experience.

Avoid Alcohol

You might think that one beer will help you relax but it might lead to another and another. You want to be sober so you don’t slur your words and so you can remember which jokes worked and which ones didn’t.

In the end attempt to enjoy the experience because it can be really fun. It doesn’t hurt to take it seriously but just remember that the point of comedy is to have fun and laugh.