How to Be Standup/Storytelling Comedian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 14, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The rise of standup and storytelling comedians has had a huge effect on the comedy industry. As standup and storytelling comedians have become more popular, the demand for traditional comedians has decreased. This has caused many traditional comedians to leave the industry, as audiences have become increasingly drawn to the entertaining and engaging style of standup and storytelling.

In addition, the popularity of streaming services such as Netflix have made standup and storytelling comedy accessible to a much wider audience, further increasing its popularity and leading to further decline in the demand for traditional comedy. Consequently, the comedy industry has seen a huge shift in the past decade, with standup and storytelling comedy becoming one of the most popular forms of entertainment.

Steps How to Become

Learn the Basics. Start by familiarizing yourself with the basics of standup comedy and storytelling. Learn how to construct a joke and how to use different types of comedic timing, delivery, and setup. Watch standup comedy shows and study the techniques of other comedians.
Take a Class or Workshop. Consider taking an introductory standup comedy class or workshop to learn the fundamentals of standup comedy and storytelling. This is a great way to hone your skills and get feedback from experienced comedians.
Practice Your Jokes. Develop your material by writing jokes and practicing them in front of friends and family. Refine your material until youre comfortable with it and can remember it without too much effort.
Perform in Open Mics. Find a local open mic night and sign up to perform. This will give you the opportunity to practice your material in front of a live audience and gain valuable experience.
Network. Get to know other comedians in your area and form relationships with them. You can network with other comedians online or at comedy clubs or open mics.
Record Your Sets. Record your performances and listen back to them later. This can help you identify areas for improvement and become a better comic.
Analyze Your Performance. After each performance, review your set and make notes about what worked, what didnt, and any areas for improvement.
Continue to Write. Keep writing new material and honing it until youre confident in your jokes and delivery.
Book Gigs. Once youve developed a set of material that youre comfortable with, start booking gigs at comedy clubs, bars, and events.
Have Fun. Above all, remember to have fun! Standup comedy and storytelling is a great way to express yourself and make people laugh, so enjoy it!

Being a standup or storytelling comedian requires a lot of dedication and hard work. It is important to stay up to date with the latest trends and information in order to remain relevant and qualified. To achieve this, it is important to stay connected with the comedy community through social media or attending comedy events.

This will provide an opportunity to learn new techniques, meet like-minded people, and gain inspiration. studying different styles of comedy, such as improvisation or sketch comedy, can help to develop a unique style and expand the comedians repertoire. Finally, reading comedy books, watching comedy movies and TV shows, and listening to podcasts can also help to gain insight into the comedy industry and provide a better understanding of what works for an audience.

By taking these steps, a comedian can stay up to date and qualified in the ever-changing world of comedy.

You may want to check Comedy Club Host, Comedy Club Promoter, and Comedy Tour Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Standup Comedian
Storytelling Comedian
Comedy Writer
Improv Comedian
Sketch Comedian
Touring Comedian
Comedy Club Host
Comedy Club Booker
Comedy Club Manager
Comedy Video Creator

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to write and perform original, humorous material
Dynamic presence on stage
Ability to think quickly and respond to audience feedback
Well-developed sense of comedic timing
Excellent improvisational skills
Ability to work well under pressure
Knowledge of current events and pop culture
Good stage presence and delivery
Ability to use sound, music, and props to enhance performance
Knowledge of audience dynamics and how to interact with them

Having the ability to entertain an audience as a standup or storytelling comedian is no small feat. It takes practice, timing, and most importantly, the ability to connect with an audience. The most important skill for a comedian is having the ability to be both funny and relatable.

Comedians must be able to tell a story or joke in such a way that the audience can relate to it on a personal level. The comedian must also have keen observational skills so they can recognize current trends and societal issues that the audience can relate to. comedians need to be able to work with different types of people, as well as adapt their performance to the crowd.

A comedian must also possess great improvisational skills so they can react quickly to any unexpected moments that may come up during a performance. All of these skills combined are essential for a successful comedian.

Comedy Festival Coordinator, Comedy Festival Social Media Coordinator, and Comedy Club Booker are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How did you first get interested in standup/storytelling comedy?
What would you say are the key elements of a successful standup/storytelling set?
What do you find most challenging about standup/storytelling comedy?
How do you structure your routine before going on stage?
How do you deal with hecklers or difficult audience members?
Who are some of your comedic influences and why?
How do you handle the creative process for creating new material?
What kind of feedback have you received from audiences?
How do you deal with self-doubt or any other emotional issues that may arise during performance?
What do you think sets you apart from other standup/storytelling comedians?

Common Tools in Industry

Microphone. used to capture and amplify sound for audiences. (eg: wireless microphone)
Stand-Up Comedy Script. a written set of jokes, stories, and other humorous material used by the comedian. (eg: one-liner jokes)
Rehearsal Space. a venue used to practice comedy routines in private. (eg: comedy club)
Improvisation Skills. the ability to think quickly and come up with funny material on the spot. (eg: making up jokes in response to audience feedback)
Audience Engagement Techniques. strategies to get the audience laughing and involved in the performance. (eg: calling out members of the audience)
Timing. knowing when to pause or speed up a joke or story to maximize its comedic effect. (eg: using pauses for comedic effect)
Memorization. the ability to remember long sets of jokes or stories for a performance. (eg: memorizing a 30 minute set)
Editing. being able to adjust material to make it funnier or more relatable for the audience. (eg: tweaking jokes to fit the audience)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Standup Comedians (NASC)
American Comedy Institute
International Society of Standup Comedians
National Storytelling Network
Comic Vibe
The Comedy Union
The International Association for Comedy Artists
The Humor Institute
Laughmasters Academy
The Standup Comedy Association

We also have Comedy Festival Promoter, Vaudeville Comedian, and Video Sketch Writer/Performer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Punchline. A joke's concluding line, which typically contains the joke's punch or punchline.
Joke Structure. The structure of a joke, including its setup, punchline, and delivery.
Setup. The initial background and context of a joke, which sets up the punchline.
Delivery. The way a comedian tells a joke, including the timing and manner in which they present it.
Improv. A form of comedy in which performers create dialogue or scenes spontaneously.
Callbacks. A reference to a joke or bit that was previously made earlier in the performance.
Stories. A narrative form of comedy in which a comedian shares an anecdote or personal experience to generate laughs.