DO’s& DON’Ts L.A. OF COMEDY
SOME OF THE CITY’S FUNNIEST SHARE THE UNWRITTEN RULES FOR NAVIGATING THE SCENE
IF Y O U L I C K T H E M I C and electrocute yourself, you had a good set.” That was the first piece of advice ever given to me at an open mic by one Johnny Gold. It’s advice that has seen me through countless nights of halfawake comics or unsuspecting bar patrons putting up with me finding my voice as a stand-up comedian for well more than a decade. Such nuggets of comedy wisdom can often be the buoys that keep you afloat for all the necessary years it takes to get any semblance of good at comedy. Fortunately, I’ve committed to the form to the point that my peers don’t have to lie through their teeth when seeing me go up. In fact, every facet of live comedy at every level can be so fluid and subjective, the idea of benchmarks can often be moot. ¶ Akin to Isaac Newton’s declaration of “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” the lessons from all the people in and around comedy can not only save you the strife of being tricked into doing a “bringer show,” they can make you more productive/creatively fulfilled/not want to throw in the towel on comedy. The following do’s and don’ts are collected from headlining comedians, hardworking upand-comers and the best producers and bookers in L.A. comedy.
DON’T act like this is a branding exercise; comedy is an art first and you should at least pretend like you’re doing the art.
— ALEX HANNA one of the funniest door guys currently working at the Comedy Store
DO ask someone if you can buy them lunch or coffee and hear their story. The amount of wisdom I got from just meeting people I admired who were doing what I wanted to be doing and just listening to what led them there? Life changing. Plus, it’s flattering to be asked. Ask them, babe!
— ADDIE WEYRICH
DON’T overbook yourself. Sometimes it’s OK to say no to an opportunity. We’re all guilty of falling into the “grind” mentality of comedy and trying to get up every night, but be sure to take care of yourself. Comedy is an exploration of life. Make sure to take care of yours!
— VINCE CALDERA born-and-bred L.A. comic who’s opened for Maria Bamford and just recorded his first album
— SAM VARELA one of L.A.’s top indie comedy producers, creator of Naked Comedy
DO really want it — comedy has to become your life and you need to do as many open mics as humanly possible, not one a month, you can’t call yourself a comedian, you need to be out four nights a week minimum. (Sorry, welcome to hell.)
— STEPH TOLEV
DO be a little loose. Los Angeles indie comedy crowds tend to like being acknowledged and involved. A bit of looseness with the material and audience interaction goes a long way.
— JOEL MANDELKORN start a show with people you enjoy.
For the love of God, DO promote your shows before the day of the show! All the apps algorithms will generally hide posts on any platform for sometimes up to three days, especially if it’s a post of a f lier with text. So get the word out ahead of time!
— ALEX HANNA
— SAM VARELA
DO go check out shows you want to be on — don’t blindly email someone you’ve never met, go to the show and introduce yourself and never send an email with your avails if you’ve never been to the show or met them; this is such an insane move that happens too many times.
DO collaborate with other comedians. Make sketches and videos and run shows together. Hang out at shows and parties at least a little. Be open with your comedian friends — talk about how much shows pay, how hosts and producers treat other comics, share contacts, etc.
— ADAM NEWMAN
— STEPH TOLEV paid regular at the Comedy Store and proof that Canadians are more than just nice
For audiences — DON’T be scared of interaction! If it happens to you, don’t try to play it cool — be real and honest with the performer. That’s all anyone wants. If you’re high as hell, say it! It’s fun to see a comedian talk to an audience member when they’re being real. That’s a very special element of live comedy.
— KATE BANFORD
DO live, breathe, eat comedy, but also take a day off every now and again to be a person.
— ADAM NEWMAN