How to be funny at your first open mic night
There are few feelings more painful than sitting in a café among a silent crowd, staring at a sweating, panicking stand-up comedian, absolutely bombing their set.
Except for being the one behind the microphone, of course.
My name is Riley E. Smith, I’m a comedy writer, and I’ve done stand up in Houston, Los Angeles, and the UK. I’ve even gotten paid for some of those gigs (gasp!).
I’ve seen a number of open mics, and I’ve noticed a couple of patterns. It seems like every new comedian who totally fails behind the mic does the same sort of thing.
I wanted to share these tips with you, so you can avoid their mistakes and when you try an open mic (and you totally should), you’ll be set up to make ‘em laugh, instead of make ‘em stare and worry about you.
Here’s how to nail your first open mic, from a stand-up who’s been there.
Practice.
Memorizing may not be the most fun, but it’s important.
Maybe this one was obvious to you, but not everybody does it.
Practice your “set” from beginning to end. Your set is the amount of time you have to perform, and the jokes you choose to tell with that time.
Run through it over and over until you have it by heart.
Do NOT think that because you’ve told the stories or jokes to your friends before, you have it down. Doing it in front of people who already like you is one thing. A stand-up comedy audience is another frightening beast.
Ways to practice:
Do the set in front of a mirror
Film yourself performing the set, then watch it and self-critique
Practice in front of living people, maybe roommates or family
Memorize and practice until you feel 100% confident you have the whole set down.
2. Avoid these topics.
I’m not trying to “censor” you, here. I’m trying to keep you from sounding like everybody else, who also aren’t getting laughs.
For some reason, at every open mic I’ve been to, these are favorite topics for the comedians, and the audience HATES IT. EVERY. TIME.
Do yourself a favor. Skip the Epic Fail of these five topics and find something else to joke about.
racism
explicit descriptions of sex
masturbation
pedophilia
child abuse
Put these topics in the trash where they belong.
The list looks ridiculous, but FOR SOME REASON new comedians love to talk about these things.
Please, for your sake and for the sake of your audience, talk about something else your first open mic. The audience will find it so refreshing that you aren’t talking about these five things that they’ll instantly like you more.
3. Consider your audience.
Your jokes about how much you love your rifle and hate vegan food might go over really, really well in Texas, but in the heart of Los Angeles, it’ll probably get you nothing but stares.
Similarly, your jokes about how you hate Republicans should be saved until after you leave the deep south.
Not only will this keep you from getting beat up after your set, but you’re more likely to get laughs.
For instance, the Russians did not like my joke about Comrade Lenin.
Consider your audience. Where are you? What do people do here? What do they like, dislike? What do they know about? What would insult them (and then avoid that)?
Think about where you’re performing. If the open mic is in the basement of your college, then jokes about professors and classes will do great! If the open mic is in another city, jokes about your university might not do as well.
Think about your audience and what they know. It’s hard to laugh at things we’re not familiar with. Make sure that when you’re planning your set, you’re considering your audience’s pespective.
4. Bombing is good. It happens.
I know this seems counterintuitive in an article about being funny at your first open mic, but once you realize it, everything will be easier.
In the world of comedy, bombing is good, especially at open mics. Open mics are where you workshop jokes and find out what works and doesn’t work.
“Bombing is good. Welcome the failure. It’s the only way you’ll get funnier.”
You won’t get a laugh at every punchline. Just note what doesn’t make people laugh, and move on.
It’s a learning experience to help you hone your craft. Welcome the failure. It’s the only way you’ll get funnier.
5. Learn about comedy.
If you’re really serious about becoming better at stand-up and learning how to write comedy, you need to spend time learning the craft.
The best way to do this is to read about it, or take classes.
Read comedy books
I don’t just mean biographies of comedians. Those can be interesting and inspiring, but they’re rarely informative about how comedy works and how you can do what they did.
It’s an old book. Ignore the interviews with mean people.
I’m talking books that break comedy down into its nuts and bolts. They show you how to build it from the ground up.
A great place to start is Comic Insights: The Art of Standup Comedy by Franklyn Ajaye. This includes a guide to starting as a stand-up, as well as interviews from famous comedians about how they get ideas and perform.
If you want more books to read, here’s my list of the five comedy books that helped me become a comedy writer: 5 comedy books that show you how to be funny.
Take comedy classes
These allow you to do the thing without the stress of an open mic, and with the added benefit of an instructor walking you through it.
In Los Angeles, Bobbie Oliver has a great stand-up school (she also has a book as well that I mention in my comedy books blog post).
If you’re interested in taking a stand-up class, but aren’t sure what’s available and good in your area, send me a message at riley@makegoodcreativenetwork or comment below with your city. I’ll help you find a great comedy class to get you started!
