How to Become a Comedian in Winnipeg

If you want to be a stand-up comic in Winnipeg, you’ll need a little bit of talent, a lot of guts, and a boatload of patience. While there’s no one path to becoming a professional stand-up comedian, the first steps are pretty much the same no matter who or where you are: write jokes, sign-up for an open mic, and tell those jokes to strangers.

 

One of the questions we hear most often is “How do I become a comedian in Winnipeg?”. We’ve received phone calls and even resumes from funny people promising us that they can make ‘em laugh. Unfortunately, that’s not quite how it’s done.

 

If you think you’re ready to test your wits on stage, Rumor’s Comedy Club has compiled this comprehensive guide to starting a career in comedy in Winnipeg

 

Tips for aspiring comedians in Winnipeg

Stand-up comedy is a pretty straightforward artform: one person, one microphone, that’s it. Strangely, getting on stage for the first time is a bit of a mystery for most. But, if you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way in no time.

 

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Check out some local comedy shows

Live comedy in Winnipeg is thriving. In addition to Rumor’s Comedy Club, there are local open mic nights where amateurs and professionals test out new material. It’s a good idea to check out a show or two at Rumor’s as well as these open mic nights to get a sense of how shows work and to understand the difference between how amateurs and professionals handle themselves on stage.

 

Attending live stand-up comedy shows will also give you a good gauge of what type of humor works in Winnipeg and what doesn’t.

Write some jokes

It may seem like comedians are just making it all up as they go, but most of a comedian’s act is written, rewritten, and practiced to death. Be sure to take some time to write your own original material, drawing from your own life experiences, opinions, and observations. 

 

Whatever you do, DON’T STEAL JOKES. Comedians know when a joke has been lifted from someone else’s act. Some people are under the mistaken impression that telling someone else’s jokes is okay. It isn’t.

Sign up for an open mic night

Once you’ve written five minutes worth of material, it’s time to test it out at a local open mic. The talent level and structure of these shows differ from professional comedy shows like you see at Rumor’s. Most open mics feature about a dozen local comedians ranging from first-timers to seasoned professionals testing out new material in five minute sets.

 

Open mics are most comedians’ first contact with the local comedy scene, so it’s important to be respectful of the bar, staff, the other comedians, and the person running the show.

 

Here are some things to look for and things to ask at your first open mic:

• Look for the person with the sign-up sheet. This is usually the person who will be running the show. If you can’t find this person, don’t be afraid to ask anyone holding a notebook (they’re likely another comedian).

• Ask the showrunner how much time you’ll get. For your first open mic, you can expect to get anywhere between two and five minutes of stage time. That’s just how it goes.

• Look for the light. When you’re approaching your time limit on stage, the showrunner will flash a light at you from the back of the room. That light means you should finish up whatever joke you’re telling and get off the stage. When you see it, acknowledge it with a nod. Don’t intentionally disregard the light. If you have any questions about the light, ask the showrunner before you go on stage.

Once your set is over, stick around and watch the other comedians. You’ll learn a lot from watching, and you’ll have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the other comics and make connections that will open up more local opportunities.

Look into Comedy workshops

Comedy workshops are knowledge and skill-sharing events put on by pro comics who have experience in the industry. You’ll learn the tricks of the trade and all the basic technical knowledge you need to reach the next level of your comedy career. Workshops are a great place to get some writing experience and make connections with other like-minded people.

 

Connecting with other comedians in Winnipeg is important because your comedy career is only as strong as the relationships that you forge within the local community.

Sign up for Rumor’s Funniest Person with a Day Job Contest

For many aspiring comics, the Rumor’s Funniest Person with a Day Job Contest is their first experience on a comedy club stage. The contest is free to enter, and the winner walks away with $1,000 and the title of Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job.

 

Doing the competition is also the best way to get on the radar at Rumor’s. Many past winners have gone on to become regular hosts and headliners at Rumor’s, and some have even appeared in major festivals like Just For Laughs, and in television roles on shows like Criminal Minds. But, the first step was to get up and perform on the Rumor’s stage in front of Rumor’s management.

Persistence is key

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when starting out in stand-up comedy is to be patient and persistent. Success does not happen overnight, and there will be many speedbumps along the road. 

 

It takes a long time to build a stand-up act. Improving your stage presence in Winnipeg and connecting with other comedians in Winnipeg means showing up consistently to Winnipeg comedy open mics and other shows, and writing new jokes constantly.

 

And remember: as much as you are building an act, you are also building a reputation within a community. Being respectful and reliable will go a long way.

 

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Live comedy shows in Winnipeg

If you want to learn how to be a great comedian, or if you’re just looking for things to do in Winnipeg tonight, Rumor’s Comedy Club is the place to be.

 

Rumor’s brings in the best comedians from across Canada and around the world, providing a world-class comedy atmosphere for comedians and comedy fans alike. We have a full dinner menu featuring our famous nacho platter, and a comprehensive drink selection including wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Check out our live event listings, and come on down and see why Norm MacDonald himself called Rumor’s the “best comedy club in Canada”.