Becoming a Stand-Up Comedian: Climbing the Comedy Ladder

As you start out in your comedy career, it's important to keep an eye on your future career path. Let me preface this article by noting that comics in New York and Los Angeles (as well as overseas) generally have different experiences than so-called "road comics" outside those cities. I've included a note at the end of the article discussing their experiences.

In the meantime, one of the most important questions young comedians have is "How do I become a professional?" Like in all of show business, there is no specific or correct career path; but most of us generally pass through the following steps.

Phase 1: Open Miker
Stage Time: 3-10 minutes
Pay (per show): between zero and negative ten dollars
Experience: 0 to ten years

Oh, to be an open miker again, so innocent and pure, so full of optimism and hope. Actually, open mikers have it tough - long drives, lousy crowds, weeknight shows. It's not the two and a half hour drive to do three minutes in Charlotte that gets you - it's the drive back to make it home in time for work the next morning.

As an open miker, you learn the comedy ropes - write your first material, develop your style, and learn to negotiate good, bad, and (especially) indifferent crowds. At the open-mike level, you take stage time anywhere you can find it, make contacts with comedians, and work toward being recognized by the booker of the local club.

It should be noted that the term "open miker" often has a negative connotation. If you're a new, eager comedian with little or no experience, this does not apply to you. If you're in late thirties or forties, have three weak minutes, and have been doing comedy for seven years total since 1988, this definitely applies to you.

Open mikers have no credits and may or may not have decent material. They generally perform anywhere that will allow them.

Phase 2: Emcee
Stage Time: 8-15 minutes
Pay (per show): $25-$50
Experience: 1-4 years