School talent show is next week, and I’m doing about 15-20 minutes of standup. I already pretty much have my material, I will be including a twinkie costume, a lot of jokes about my teachers, and a harmonica rap. I’ve seen at least one person on here who is a proffesional standup, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips. It will be in front of my high school, a crowd of about 140 or so (yeah, I got to a really small high school). I am a senior and have gained the respect of most of them. I have run the mike at faculty verse student volleyball and basketball games, so this isn’t exactly a first experience, but any tips would help.
Consider finishing on a high note near the end of your act rather than going on to do every last bit of the material IF the situation presents itself.
If the last thing is large laughter rather than a small chuckle, it leaves a better overall impression. Plus later you can say, “I had this other bit I didn’t get to,” and everyone will look upon you as a comedic goldmine.
*Disclaimer: I am not a comedian, but I do enjoy watching them on TV.
Props! Lots of props! Think of Carrot Top!
Be funny.
IANAC, but I like it when comedians try to involve the crowd in some way, or at least just react to them on the fly. Conan O’ Brien is a good example of this, as sometimes he’ll just stop and make fun of the audience reaction to something, or respond to what some random guy in the back yells. The act seems less contrived and more natural that way.
This may not (and hopefully won’t!) happen, but…
…have a few generic comebacks for hecklers.
Oh, and rehearse.
When you say this I assume you have your A grade material, culled from amongst all the poor material, verified by the laughs it produced before real live audiences. If not post your material and get some feedback. if real people haven’t laughed at it yet thay may not in the future.
15 or 20 minutes is a lonnnnnnnnggggggg time – you might want to cut out some of the less fabulous material and leave them wanting more, rather than outstaying your welcome.
Don’t forget the flapping dickey!
Sounds like fun!
Chances are, the fact that this is at your school means that you’ll be loved just because you’re up there trying.
I hope your costume change can be done instantly with no dead time, that’s a sure-fire way to lose your audience.
I reccomend you practice 1 or 2 throw-away lines in case a joke bombs (it happens) and you’re standing there listening to the crickets and feeling as dumb as a 6 foot soil sample.
i.e “Well, my mom thought that was funny.”
“Hey! (insert principle’s name) I want my money back for that joke!”
Break a leg!
Boy, this brings back the memories of my high-school gong-show days!
This is very, very true. Videotape your routine and force yourself to watch the replay. Six minutes might be a more realistic outer frontier.
Yreah, edit it down to 5 or 6 minutes. Try out some of it at an open mic night somewhere, where you can sink or swim in relative anonymity.
And, if you have a friend who’s a drummer, get him to do a “rimshot” (quick drumroll followed by a cymbal crash) at the appropriate spots. It’s hacky and borders on being a laugh track, but if this is your first time, use all the crutches you need!
Don’t insult the audience. Get them on your side. They want to laugh.
There’s a book by Richard Belzer about how to be a standup comic. It’s as close to a textbook as you’ll ever find.
Words with the “K” sound in them are funny. Cucamonga? Hilarious!
The first time you get heckled or booed, look a little wounded and, in Johnny Carson deadpan, say “How quickly they turn!”
If you’re black, don’t pass up an opportunity to mention how white people can’t dance. Comic gold!
And for heaven’s sake don’t offend Mitzi!