Top 5 Tips for First Time Comics: How to Crush Your First Set at Rumor's
Summer is almost here, and that means one thing — Rumor’s Funniest Person With a Day Job Competition is back!
Every year dozens of aspiring Winnipeg comedians flock to Rumor’s for their chance to win $1,000 and the title of Winnipeg’s Funniest Person With a Day Job, so we thought we’d give them some tips to help their first time performing at a major comedy club go smoothly.
If you’re thinking of entering the contest, or if you’re just interested in getting started in stand-up comedy, we’ve compiled this list of tips to help you on your way.
5 tips for new comics.
We can’t promise you fame and fortune, but if you follow these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to crushing your first comedy club performance.
1. Mind your time
One of the first things new comedians learn — sometimes the hard way — is to stick to their time. What does that mean? Glad you asked.
Every comedian has a certain amount of time on stage. Headliners will typically perform for 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the club. Emcees usually perform for 10 to 20 minutes, and middle acts will generally perform for 10 to 20 minutes as well. But new comedians usually start out with five minutes.
That may not seem like a lot of time, but if you’ve done any public speaking, you know that five minutes can feel like an eternity.
The important thing is to make sure you don’t go over your allotted time. Going over your time will cut into other comedians’ time, and can throw off the whole show. Some clubs (like Rumor’s) have a clock at the back of the room that the comics can see so that they know how much time has passed. Other clubs use a light to warn the comic when they’re nearing the end of their set. Make sure you know what system the club you’re at uses, and ask the producer where to look for the light or the clock.
2. Read the room
Caitlin Peluffo read the room masterfully when she headlined our club back in May. Photo by Colby Spence.
Comedy is subjective, and not everybody laughs at the same things. If you want to have a great set, you’ll want to make sure that your jokes are suitable for the audience you’re performing for. For example, if you notice that the audience is on the older side, they might not get your Billy Eilish references.
Similarly, you’ll want to be careful doing jokes about hot-button issues. Many comedians touch on controversial subjects, but the successful ones do it with skill that they’ve built over years of practice. We’re not saying to stay away from touchy subjects, but if you go that route, it better be a really good joke, or it could blow up in your face.
3. Prepare, prepare, prepare
Preparation will go a long way to help your first stand-up set go well. The best comedians in Winnipeg and the world usually memorize their set list, which makes it seem like they’re just making it up as they go. That impresses audiences, and makes them feel like the performer is a naturally funny person. Of course, first-timers are bound to be nervous, so you can keep a setlist in your pocket in case of an emergency.
You’ll also want to get used to the feeling of being on stage. Most comics talk about how intimidating the Rumor’s stage is after their first time performing at our club. Getting some experience at local open mic comedy nights can help prepare you for the experience of hitting the big stage at Rumor’s.
4. Write original jokes
Sam Tallent is one of the most original comedians we've ever seen. Photo by Colby Spence.
It might surprise you to know that we have to say this, but you should only perform original material written by YOU. A lot of people start stand-up comedy thinking that they can just do jokes that famous comedians have performed. That is simply NOT how it works. Comedy audiences, and especially stand-up comedians, can tell when a joke is lifted.
So, you’ll want to dig deep and write about things from your life — observations, opinions, funny stories from your old job as a horse jockey. These types of jokes will help your audience get to know you and your character, and many people will resonate with your material because they’ve had similar experiences.
5. Have fun
Nobody has more fun on stage than Rumor's fan-favorite, Kelly Taylor. Photo by Colby Spence.
We know it’s easier said than done, but try to enjoy your time on stage. The more fun you have, the more fun your audience will have, and the more you’ll be able to explore the stage, the audience, and your own material.
Staying loose is key to delivering a well-prepared stand-up comedy set that feels natural and off the cuff.
More: Laughing All the Way: Winnipeg Comics Who Won the Winnipeg’s Funniest Person Contest
Winnipeg’s funniest people are at Rumor’s Comedy Club
Now that you know what to do on your first time at Rumor’s, the only thing left is to compete in the Rumor’s Funniest Person With a Day Job Contest. It’s free to sign up, and you could win $1,000.
Many Winnipeg comedians got their start in our annual competition, and have gone on to star on to perform at major festivals like Just For Laughs, and some have even appeared on television shows like Roast Battle Canada, Acting Good, Criminal Minds, and Based on a True Story.
Who knows, you could be next, so give us a call at 204-488-4520 to sign up today.