Afraid You'll Forget Your Set? Try This Set List Trick

How do comedians remember their sets?

Most comedians use some combination of repetition, stage time, structure, and a set list. But a normal written set list has one major flaw: the set list itself can be hard to remember.

That is why I created my own visual set list strategy. It makes forgetting material on stage much less likely, even if you struggle with stage fright.

I have been open about my past struggle with stage fright and perfectionism. The intense fear I felt early in my career led me to search for better ways of remembering my material. I developed this strategy very early in my career, and I never stopped using it.

Quick Answer: How Do Comedians Remember Their Sets?

Comedians remember their sets by organizing their material into a clear order, practicing transitions, using stage time to reinforce the flow, and keeping a set list as a backup.

Some comedians write bullet-point set lists. Others use keywords, shorthand, or visual reminders.

My favorite method is a visual set list. Instead of writing every joke as a line of text, you draw a simple picture that represents the order of your jokes, bits, and transitions.

This works because a visual map is faster to recognize than a long list of tiny words. Ideally, you never need to look at it during the performance. Just knowing it is there gives you confidence.

Do Comedians Memorize Their Sets?

Some comedians memorize their sets word for word, especially when they are preparing for a special, a tight showcase set, or material that depends on exact wording.

But many comedians do not think of it as memorizing lines the way an actor would. They remember the structure of the set, the order of the ideas, the opening words of each bit, and the transitions between jokes.

That distinction matters.

If you only try to remember individual lines, one forgotten phrase can throw you off. If you understand the structure, you can recover more easily because you know where the bit is supposed to go next.

The Perfect Set List Should...

Be discreet. The less attention it gets, the better.
Be easy to read. You should not need to bend down, squint, or obviously study your notes.
Be fast. You should be able to figure out exactly where you are in a split second.

The best set list is the set list you do not actually need to look at.

Ideally, the set list stays in your pocket for the entire performance. Set lists are for emergencies only. The main benefit of having a set list with you on stage is that it provides comfort and security.

Knowing you have a backup plan can relax you on stage and make it easier to be personable.

The Problem With Most Set Lists

Most set lists are written as bullet points. That sounds simple, but it creates problems on stage.

Tiny words are difficult to read. Small text is hard to see quickly, but large text leaves no room for much material.
Quick glances are difficult. You may have to scan from the top of the list to figure out where you are.
The order can blur together. If every item looks like another bullet point, it is easy to forget which bit comes next.

Here is how my set list would appear using a conventional strategy.

Conventional written comedy set list with bullet points

Imagine being on stage with this in your pocket.

Could you keep this set list in your head without looking at it?
What would stop two nearby jokes from switching order?
How fast could you find your place if you forgot what came next?

Try this exercise: look at the set list for 15 seconds, then try to rewrite it from memory. You might remember part of it, but it will be difficult to recreate the whole order accurately.

Now compare that to the visual set list below.

My Visual Set List From 2008

Visual comedy set list used to remember jokes and transitions

This is a picture of the first set list I ever made using this strategy.

The picture on the left represented the original bit I wrote about being turned down for a job at Jamba Juice. That picture led into my experience working at Walmart, a bit that I still performed later.

All told, this set list represented 21 jokes directly, but it indirectly represented over 15 minutes of material.

The more I used this strategy, the less detail I needed to put in the picture. Some jokes naturally lead into the next one, so there is no need to represent every single joke on the set list.

The worst that could happen is that I skip a joke not represented in the picture and move to the next major joke in the bit. As an audience member, you would never know I made a mistake.

Why a Visual Set List Works Better

A visual set list works because it turns your set into a mental map.

Instead of remembering a stack of disconnected bullet points, you remember one image. Each part of the image points you toward the next joke, bit, or transition.

My visual set list:

Does not require words. No reading is necessary, though you can include words if they help.
Shows exactly where you are. You do not have to scan through jokes 1 through 10 to find joke 11.
Makes the order harder to mix up. A picture has spatial relationships that are easier to remember than a list.
Makes it less likely you will need the paper. By the time you reach for the set list, you may already remember the image in your head.
Works for different set lengths. I have used this for short open mic sets and much longer performances.

How This Helps With Stage Fright

Stage fright often gets worse when you feel like one mistake will ruin everything.

A visual set list reduces that pressure because it gives you a recovery plan.

You are not trying to hold every single word in your head. You are remembering the path through the material. If you lose your place, the image helps you find the next major landmark.

That sense of security can make a huge difference.

When you know you have a backup plan, you can stop obsessing over whether you will forget something and focus more on connecting with the audience.

How to Create Your Own Visual Set List

Here is a simple process:

Write your normal set list first. Put your jokes, stories, or bits in order.
Choose one image for each major bit. Do not draw every line. Draw the main landmarks.
Connect the images in performance order. Make the flow clear visually.
Practice walking through the picture. Say the beginning of each joke or transition as you look at each symbol.
Test it without looking. Close your eyes and see if you can recreate the path from memory.
Redraw it when the order changes. A new set order should create a new visual map.

You do not need to be good at drawing. The picture only needs to make sense to you.

Simple symbols are usually better than detailed artwork because you need to recognize them quickly.

What This Set List Helped Me Remember Years Later

This set list was made in 2008, during the height of my stage-fright years.

I have not performed the first half of that set in years. As I became a better writer and performer, that bit gradually went from something I was proud of to something that no longer fit the rest of my act.

But the set list still works.

I can still tell you:

What each symbol means on the set list
What word or phrase begins each symbol
The exact order of each joke, from opener to segue into other material

That is the power of turning a set list into an image. The material becomes easier to retrieve because it is connected to a visual structure.

Summary: Remember the Path, Not Just the Lines

If you want to remember your stand-up set more easily, do not only think in terms of individual jokes or lines.

Think in terms of structure.

A strong set list should help you remember the path through your performance. A visual set list does that better than a long list of bullet points because it is faster to recognize and harder to mix up.

The goal is not to stare at notes during your set. The goal is to create a backup plan that makes you calm enough to perform without needing one.