Comedy Club Etiquette
Remember that as a performer you're a guest in someone else's house — the comedy booker's. In order to get asked back, you need to be a good guest. Following are some tips to make sure that you are a welcome presence in any comedy club.
Stick to Your Time
If you are given five minutes, do five minutes. Don't do three; the host of the show might not be ready for your early departure. Definitely don't do more than five minutes, or you'll have the booker and every comic in the room on your bad side. Most clubs have a system that uses a lighting cue to tell you it's time to wrap up. Make sure you know the club's system and stick to it. “I didn't see the light” is not an excuse; it's a sign that you're being unprofessional and selfish.
If sticking to your time is continually problematic for you, invest in a small countdown timer that has a vibrate function. Some cell phones have this option; if yours doesn't, try the Invisible Clock II, available from
Be a Good Audience Member
Help make the show better. Laugh at other comedians' jokes and start applause breaks where the audience should be clapping. Don't talk to your friends or other comics during the show. Give every act the respect you would expect from your fellow comics.
Know Your Place
If you are new at this, keep your opinions to yourself unless you're asked, and even then be conservative with your comments. In general, keep your critiques to yourself. Do what you do and don't worry about trying to fix anyone else's act. If you see someone doing something you don't agree with, learn from it but keep it to yourself. If everyone is doing things you don't agree with, that room might not be for you.
Don't be High Maintenance
Don't ask the booker for a review of your act or for more dates during the show. Wait until after the show — even better, the day after the show — to get his attention. As a newbie, don't demand special lighting or music cues and don't leave props on the stage. Don't bait the audience and then leave it to the host or the next act to clean up your mess.
Show Respect
Tip the waitstaff and encourage the audience to do the same. If they are on your side, they can do wonders for your career. If they don't like you, you're in big trouble. Respect the club and the audience. You wouldn't walk into someone's house and make fun of the wallpaper, so don't make fun of the leaky toilet in the club's bathroom. If there is a small crowd, don't make them feel bad for being your audience. Remember, they are the good guys because they came to the club. If it's a small crowd, work just as hard for them as you would a full house.
