Question for Steve et all - Stand up comedy

[Amit]

Hey Steve,

I remember you saying somewhere that through your learnings in Toastmasters you eventually went on to do a little stand up comedy at some point.

I've been challenged by a friend to enter his comedy night and do a 10-15 minute stand up set and I'm totally up for the challenge! I'm probably the least funny person I know and I rarely do public speaking, however I'm totally up for this and I know I can excel!

Since I'm a Life Coach, my theme for my alloted time is "adventures in coaching" and I just wanted to get some tips that anyone can give me on giving excellent delivery and have the audience ROFL!!!

Looking forward to the tips and suggestions!

Amit

[Andrew Brunelle]

I once wanted to be a stand-up comedian and it is still something I will do on the side, as it coincides with my career of being a speaker, motivationally and humourously. But, in Steve's world, I believe the time he would spend on putting together a comedy set could better be spent working on helping others. It may not be a bad experience for him, and I do not want to speak for him, but the further along I go in personal development, the more stand-up comedy becomes less and less a career option. It is so hard to cover high-level topics in a comedy club setting. People are looking more to laugh than to think.

And Amit, if you really are passionate about it, I would go for it. I've been working on comedy for five years and just recently won a comedy contest. I won a week of emceeing and it was really a good experience and if you really think you have it, I would encourage you to go to a comedy club, not just a generic open mic nigbht because the majority of those acts are music and they're not really there to watch comedy, and when you're introduced, it's like, "oh, and here's a stand-up comedian, just sit through this and we'll be back to music or poetry readings." So look for comedy open mics. I know from experience.
They really are two difflerent worlds.

[Shamou]

Amit!

I would do a bit about trying to teach a "cross eyed" client on how to keep "eye contact..."

If you can't kill them with that... may as well pack your bags on go home...

At any rate... the best of luck to you... and remember, the audience is dying to laugh at your jokes... just give them a small chance and they'll go for it...
.

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

in Steve's world, I believe the time he would spend on putting together a comedy set could better be spent working on helping others. It may not be a bad experience for him, and I do not want to speak for him, but the further along I go in personal development, the more stand-up comedy becomes less and less a career option. It is so hard to cover high-level topics in a comedy club setting. People are looking more to laugh than to think.

It actually seems like humorists (whether comedians or court jesters) are practically the only people in the public spotlight who get to tell the truth, so it may be about the ONLY time most people are open to higher matters.

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Amit

Looking forward to the tips and suggestions!

Taking a course in stand up comedy or checking out Comedy Writing Secrets by Mel Helitzer wouldn't hurt.

[Advent Shade]

You could do a piece where a you coach a control freak and they end up coaching you and won't do a word you say because you don't trust you enough. And Shamou the bit about teaching someone cross-eyed to make 'eye contact'. Class.

I'd like to be a stand-up comedian myself but I think I need a bit more life experience. (Like 10 more years life experience )