What It's Like To Be... A Stand-Up Comedian
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Feb 13, 2024 Stand-up comedian Chris Grace discusses the challenges of crafting jokes, finding gigs, and improvising based on audience reactions. They delve into his worst bombing experience and the concept of a 'bringer' show. They also explore the life and business of a stand-up comedian, the profession of stand-up comedy, comedy terms, audience size, and the intense feedback loop of stand-up comedy.
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Career-Stopping First Paid Gig
- Chris Grace bombed for about ten minutes at his first paid gig and quit stand-up for four years afterward.
- The show mixed stand-up, folk singers, and poets, and silence followed his set, even producing a crowd question.
Run Stand-Up Like A Solo Business
- Treat stand-up as a solo small business and build a spreadsheet of club contacts and booking agents.
- Email clips, list recent gigs, and cultivate festival and relationship-based opportunities to get booked.
Expect Upfront Costs Early On
- Avoid assuming early gigs pay; expect costs like open-mic fees, drink minimums, bringer shows, and festival application fees.
- Budget for a period where you pay more to perform than you earn.