How to be a stand-up comedian?

When we watch the stand-up comedians performing on stage so effortlessly, we too feel like emulating them. The comedians are so popular. The laughter roars and applause coming from the audience is so good to hear. In this strife stricken world, there are few things better than helping people to laugh their hearts out. Apart from being a stress buster, laughter is also a great medicine that strengthens our immune system. Laughter is also a quality necessary for being happy. Why not spread the laughter by becoming a stand-up comedian?

Three of the most important qualities needed to be a stand-up comedian are:

1. Keep a collection of good jokes. So spend time collecting, writing, and fine-tuning jokes, putting them together into a contextual narrative. The jokes need to be rare ones.

2. While narrating a joke, the tone of your voice, the stress, the pauses, and timing are important. You must practice the script by reading aloud with all the tone and pauses. If possible record it, so that you can listen to it and see how it feels like if you were in the audience.

3. Memorise your script. Never hold a script and read. Use cue cards. These will help your memory when you forget what you’re supposed to say next. This is better than reading the script. The best way is to memorize the entire script word for word. You may find it difficult in the beginning, but with the time you will be surprised with your ability to by heart. If you are good at acting and a reasonably good singer, your chances of success multiply.

Besides you need to have a wide range of knowledge about the people, current affairs, history, religion, politics, social norms, etc. If you have the substance then with experience, you will also learn to make on the spot additions and adjustments. These will lift your comedy to a higher level.

You also need a lot of passion and enthusiasm to be a comedian. Your appetite to make the people laugh should be unending.

Never expect to be a star comedian immediately. Have courage and patience. There will be mistakes and disappointments. Do not worry or be disheartened. You will learn to climb the stairs rung by rung. Your days will come.