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 ive been wanting to get into comedy in some form or fashion... mainly my own for a few years now. i am 32 and i was wondering if it would be weird for a guy my age just went all out and tried to make a career of it? well really i dont care if it would be weird or not, but how would i even get started. do stand up comedians start out by writing is own stuff and memorizing before you actually get up to the mic? maybe you just go to a club some where and wing it ? i dont know but it is a world that i would love to explore. this is the first night that i have really looked anything up about getting started and your page came up and it grab from the first question the 25 yr old dude had. by the way how old was sam kinison when he got started ? speaking of which how did bernie macks passing not get anymore respect than what it got. the man was a genius !
Answer Joe --
It hasn't been my goal to be a professional comedian, but I started doing serious work with it at about the age you are. I'm really thinking that age isn't a big factor in getting started.
If you've read my other answers, you may know that I advocate a systematic approach to writing material. I would suggest you find a comedian you really, really enjoy yourself, then study lots of his/her material to see how it's constructed. I believe you will find that, no matter how spontaneous or improvisational the performance appears at first, it actually has a pattern to it, especially if you study material from many different performances.
You should definitely write your own material. I really think that's the only way you can really be sure you understand how it's supposed to work. Also, by the time you have it all worked out, the memorization will have pretty much taken care of itself.
I wouldn't myself suggest "winging it," because I view comedy as a prepared performance, just like a play or symphony. I suppose you could give it a try and see whether it's a good approach for you -- I don't think it would work for me, though.
