When most people think about starting stand-up, the first thing they think is how to write stand-up comedy. But, the administration side of comedy can be unclear for those wondering how to get into stand-up comedy. This can be because there are a variety of ways someone might start stand-up comedy. Sometimes creative hobbies, producers or organisations can have a private or lack of a digital presence, making contact or sign-up information unclear or hard to find. 

Thankfully, starting stand-up comedy is easily understandable once you know what to do. I will be covering every way you can get started in this article. To explain how to get into stand-up comedy, I will explain the following below:

• What is a stand-up comedy scene? 
• What is a stand-up comedy show?
• Types of stand-up comedy shows
• 5 steps: how to get into stand up comedy

What is a stand-up comedy scene?

To understand how to get into stand-up comedy, it’s helpful to first know what a comedy scene is. A stand-up comedy scene is a variety of stand-up comedy shows in one area. These comedy shows could be at bars, theatres, community halls or any other place where someone is willing to speak into a mic in an attempt to make people laugh.

Stand-up comedy shows are created, organised and marketed by producers. Producers can be one person or a group of people who have an agreement with a venue to put on a comedy show, the producers are responsible for booking comics to perform in the comedy show — you usually have to contact a producer to get started in stand-up comedy.

What is a stand-up comedy show?

A stand-up comedy show is a performance by one comic or multiple comics in front of an audience. Many people will first wonder how to get into stand-up comedy while watching an internationally acclaimed comic performing a solo stand-up show either live or on a streaming platform (Netflix etc.). But, in your local comedy scene, most shows will have a “lineup” of comics, where comics will perform one after the other. 

Each show will have an MC, who introduces the show and each comic before they perform. The MC’s role is to facilitate the smooth running of the show, they usually will talk to the crowd (known as “crowd work”) and perform stand-up material (jokes), but the extent to which they do this will differ for each show. Shows usually last 1-2 hours and have a break in the middle so the audience can buy drinks or food (if the venue offers that), and use the bathroom.

Types of stand-up comedy shows

Once you understand the different types of comedy shows, it becomes easier to know how to get into stand-up comedy and navigate your local scene and. I’ll explain each type below:

Open mic: A show for beginners to perform and for current comics to try new material or refine material. Comics contact producers and ask for a “spot” on the show. Usually features a maximum of 12 comics who perform 5-6 minutes each. 

Open mics are where the majority of people begin stand-up comedy. Audiences at open mics usually understand that beginners will be performing and a lot of material will be new. Audiences at open mics can be more supportive and are more forgiving if material doesn’t make them laugh. It’s not uncommon for MC’s at open mics to say something like “it’s our next act’s first time getting up on stage, so please give them all your energy and support, please put your hands together for (insert your name)!” Hopefully the MC will ask you first, to see if you’d like them to say that. 

Pro show: A show where comics are paid to perform. Producers usually contact comics to book them on the show. Usually features a maximum of 10 comics who may perform for different amounts of time. Some newer acts may perform 5-6 minutes, whereas more experienced or “headline” acts may perform 10+ minutes.

Variety show (Cabaret show): A show that features a variety of theatrical entertainment, including comedy. Comics can perform on the same show as musicians, singers, dancers or any other creative performers. Performance time for each act varies. Not every comedy scene may have variety shows.

There are more shows I could explain, such as themed shows or challenge shows. But, they are mostly variations of what I’ve explained above. You may learn about other shows once you’ve entered a comedy scene.

5 steps: How to get into stand-up comedy

Now that you understand what a comedy scene is and have learnt about stand-up comedy shows, it’s time to get more specific about how to actually get up on stage. Keep reading to learn 5 steps for how to get into stand-up comedy. Please note that the first three steps can be done in any order, the order in which you do them depends on what you’re comfortable with or have time for.

1. Watch local stand-up comedy shows

Being an audience member is a great way to get the feel of what a stand-up comedy show can be like and make getting started in stand-up comedy easier to envision. Open mics usually cost $10 or less per ticket, whereas a pro show will be $20+. Watching a show allows you to see how a comedy show works, i.e an MC introducing the show and bringing acts on and off the stage.

If you’re happy to approach people and mention you’re interested in performing, it’s a good chance to introduce yourself to local producers and comics (the comics who got lots of laughs will probably be more happy to talk) and ask them how to get started in stand-up comedy. Before my first open mic, I attended the show the week beforehand and introduced myself to the producer (who I had previously contacted via email), they were kind enough to show me backstage and give a quick explanation of how the show will work.

If you’re nervous about even the idea of performing (this is normal!), you might feel intimidated by watching a show. If you watch an open mic, hopefully you’ll find that stand-up comedy isn’t as scary as you thought. Plenty of comics don’t get laughs (known as “bombing”), it’s part of being a comic and the audience understands that. While watching, you may even think “I could do that” or “I could do better than that”.

2. Write your material

Most open mics will feature 5-6 minute spots, i.e comics usually perform for a maximum of 6 minutes. So, if you don’t want to do any crowd work, you will need to write and rehearse around 5-6 minutes of material to say on stage. You can then rehearse it at home (or anywhere else) before you perform, the amount you want to rehearse is up to you.

How each comic comes up with their first set is different, I know comics who had spent hours studying famous comedians, and researching “how to write stand-up comedy” before performing. I know comics who had never watched any stand-up comedy before they first performed. I also know comics who didn’t write anything, and started by doing crowd work. 

If you want some help with how to write stand-up comedy, you can search for free or paid online stand-up comedy writing content. Where I started stand-up comedy (Wellington, New Zealand), there was the ‘New Zealand Comedy School’ that was run by a local experienced comic, MC and producer. I have never done a comedy course or attended a comedy school or class, so I can’t speak on how useful they are, but I know many comics who benefitted from that school. In saying that, I know plenty of comics who developed fine writing and performing on their own, so don’t worry if you don’t have the money for or interest in external help.

3. Contact a producer

There are multiple ways to ask for a spot on an open mic. Each producer may have a different process for how to get into stand-up comedy, some you can directly message or email, others may only have a sign-up form, e.g a Google form. Finding the right person usually takes some desk research, I will explain what to do below. 

Start with search engine (e.g Google) or social media research

Begin by searching “comedy shows near me” or “open mic stand-up comedy (insert place name where you live)” or anything similar. You’re looking for the following:

• Local venues that host stand-up comedy shows.
• Local comedy organisations (producer websites) that produce local stand-up comedy show
• Online forums with information on local comedy
• Social media pages or groups for local comedy

With anything you find, look into it for contact information. Open mics will hopefully make it obvious for what you should do to ask for a spot on the show. But, your next steps with the information you find should be the following: 

• Emailing.
• Messaging social media pages or groups.
• Filling out a sign-up form.
• Going to an open mic and asking people in person. 

You should find a producer or at least someone who can help you. Follow any information you gain, and you will soon be able to get started in stand-up comedy! Depending on the popularity of the show, you may have to wait weeks to perform.

4. Perform your set

You’ve successfully learnt how to get into stand-up comedy, and now here’s the exciting and possibly nerve-racking part. It’s time to get up on stage and say your material to a live audience. If you speak to comics about performing for the first time, you’ll likely hear them say something like “it’s just about doing it.” And that’s exactly it, try to take the pressure off yourself, let go of expectations and do your best. 

If you have written material and are worried about forgetting material on stage. It’s normal for comics at open mics to have some notes up on stage with them as reminders. Sometimes it’s even funny when a comic says “I forgot, give me a second”, open mic audiences usually appreciate that you’re human!

5. Do it again!

No matter how your first stand-up comedy show goes — do it again! If it went great you likely can’t wait to get back on stage. If it didn’t go as well as you’d hoped or you bombed, that’s fine as well. Everyone bombs, it’s part of being and learning how to become a stand-up comedian — keep going. Being a comic can require tenacity and resilience at times, that’s what makes it all the more rewarding when things go well.

That’s all on how to get into stand-up comedy. Next, learn how to write a stand-up comedy show efficiently.