AboutTom Expertise I can answer questions about The Capitol Steps, a political (mostly musical) satire group based in Washington, DC which performs in Washington, around the U.S., and four times a year on public radio. I can answer questions about who is performing which role in Capitol Steps sketches and songs on albumns and can help identify a routine (and which albumn or radio show includes it) based on partial lyrics. I can also provide tips and suggestions for those interested in writing and performing spoonerism-based comedy similar to the Steps` "Lirty Dies."
Experience I have been a Capitol Steps fan since about 1995. I own all the albumns and have listened to each dozens of times. I have particularly studied (and particularly admire) the "Lirty Dies" routines and I have written and performed material of this sort. Despite the fact that I live halfway across the U.S. from Washington, I've attended many live Capitol Steps performances, including several at their permanent locations in the DC area.
Question QUESTION: Well I hate saying that I'm funny but all my friends say that I could do stand up and that I have good jokes. The only problem that I can see is that when I think of like a joke to say or a funny story to tell with out like some one saying something for me to spin off of I kinda draw blanks. I can think of somethings but is it alright to like use different comedians as like a kinda guide to mu jokes?
ANSWER: Matt --
I can identify with your situation. I think that using other comedians as a guide to your jokes is a good idea, as long as you do it in a way that lets your material really be yours. That's not just about being fair to other comedians; it's about you being able to really use the sense of humor that your friends admire.
So, let's start with the very important problem you have already identified: You're usually funny when you can say something in reaction to what someone else has said, but in stand-up, it's just you alone in front of an audience. I'd suggest that you find one or two comedians who you admire and listen to a *lot* of their routines, over and over, paying attention to how they handle this particular problem. I think you'll find that there's actually an effective method (probably even more than one) that you can figure out by close observation and then use in constructing your own material.
When I started making this same transition (funny guy to performance), I did a lot of listening, trying to figure out how the experts make things work. I think it worked out well for me, and a key part was doing the homework myself.
Good luck!
-- Tom
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QUESTION: Well the next questions is I live in the Tampa area and the only real comedy clubs are kinda big ones like the improv and side splitters so it kinda makes me a little worried that I will like get heckled bad or like freeze in front of a big crowed is there anything that I can do to make the first time easier?
Answer Matt --
I think that going right from joking around with friends to the stage of a comedy club is probably not the way to go, partly because you might get heckled but even more because you would probably not put on a very good show. (Q: What's worse than getting heckled when you don't deserve it? A: Getting heckled because you DO deserve it!) You need to find another venue for your first times in front of an audience.
It doesn't need to be a big audience -- just something that sets a date and commits you to get your material ready and perform it. You could commit yourself just by promising all your friends that you will perform (a) at one of their next birthday parties, (b) at *your* next birthday party, or (c) if you lose a bet (but make sure it's a bet you're likely to lose). (This is roughly what I did to get started -- I signed up to compete in a humorous speech contest and made sure that I told so many people about it that I couldn't back out.)
Another option to consider is that there may be other comedy-specialized venues that you don't know about. You know about the big ones because, well, they're big! Ask around. Maybe call some places that do open-mic nights for music (coffee shops, etc.) and ask them if they accept comedy acts. If they say No, then ask them for suggestions. But I'd still (myself) go for performing in front of a friendly audience before getting up in front of strangers.
Whatever you find for a starting venue, be sure to do your work ahead of time. Write (like, write it down) your material and do several drafts. Practice by yourself a while. Then get somebody who will listen to you rehearse and give you suggestions. Pick somebody who's good at giving advice -- doesn't have to be a comedy expert. If you're in school, a teacher might be willing to give you some time if you convince him/her that you're approaching this project seriously.
One other tip (maybe not a tip as much as an observation): One of the hardest things for me was to keep my self esteem up -- not in front of the first audience but well before then, while I was preparing or even thinking about preparing. It was easy to think, "Who am I to think that I could be good at this?" and that was scary. But if you have even a moderately good sense of humor and are willing to work at putting together a good routine, then you'll have at least some success. If your initial goal is to be a famous comedian, that's probably a long shot. But if you really want to know that you gave it a try -- that you didn't just never get around to trying -- then that's achievable.
