How to Crush It on Stage: The 3 Pillars of Stand-Up Comedy Success

If you want to learn how to be a comedian and write stand-up comedy that will crush it on stage, then you need to master the three essential pillars of stand-up comedy success. These pillars are being funny, being unique, and being authentic in your stand-up comedy writing and performances. In this article, we’ll explore these three pillars and show you how to incorporate them into your stand-up comedy routine.

Pillar 1: Be Funny on Stage

As the stand-up comedy industry has evolved over time, so have the strategies for success. In the early days of the industry, the only thing that mattered was being funny on stage. This often meant relying on highly structured jokes and one-liners to get laughs.

Comedians like Bob Hope, who were known for their quick wit and sharp delivery, dominated the scene. These early comedians were masters of joke-telling, and their ability to get laughs through their punchlines was what set them apart. In fact, comedians of this era acted more like the CEO of a company than the stand-up comedians we know today. Early on, that was OK. The audience didn’t yet know what they were missing out on, so highly structured jokes were the norm.

Pillar 2: Be Unique on Stage

However, as more and more people entered the industry and learned the techniques of joke-telling, being funny alone was no longer enough to stand out. Once everyone knew how to write jokes effectively, it no longer gave comedians an advantage. To get an advantage, they had to find something that set them apart and made their performances unique. Comedians who found ways to be unique and differentiate themselves from others began to dominate.

Steve Martin is a perfect example of a comedian who rose to fame by developing his own distinctive style. He incorporated physical comedy, musical performances, and absurdist humor into his routines, creating a one-of-a-kind act that audiences loved.

The 1970’s is konwn as the Golden Age of Comedy for a reason. There was an explosion of creativity as comedians who had mastereed joke telling during the 1960’s rejected the old ways of writing stand up comedy jokes. Instead of formal jokes, they found highly unique ways of being funny on stage. Suddenly, the comedians who only had highly structured jokes were no longer memorable or interesting.

Pillar 3: Be Authentic on Stage

As the industry continued to grow and evolve, the same process played out. Comedians quickly developed many different genres of comedy, such as Steve Martin’s anti-comedy or Jerry Seinfeld’s observational comedy. As more comedians learned how to be funny in unique ways, it became harder and harder for a comedian to set themselves apart from their peers.

This is why authenticity became the next big thing. Comedians who could incorporate their own personal experiences, beliefs, and values into their material began to stand out and be memorable. This allowed them to create deeper emotional connections with their audience, which in turn helped them build a loyal fan base.

Richard Pryor is a prime example of a comedian who was known for his authenticity. He tackled difficult topics such as race and social inequality, drawing on his own experiences and personal struggles to create powerful and impactful material.

How to Be a Successful Comedian

In today’s stand-up comedy scene, all three pillars – being funny, being unique, and being authentic – are crucial for success. Aspiring comedians need to develop a strong foundation of joke-telling skills while also finding ways to stand out from the crowd and infusing their own unique perspective into their routines.

The industry will undoubtedly continue to evolve. By prioritizing the three pillars of comedy success – being funny, being unique, and being authentic – aspiring comedians can achieve similar levels of success.

By studying the styles and approaches of legendary comedians like Bob Hope, Steve Martin, and Richard Pryor, you can learn valuable lessons about what it takes to succeed in the world of stand-up comedy. These comedians have left a lasting impact on the industry and have set the standard for what it means to be a successful and memorable comedian.

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