Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy

by Sankey,Jay

• ISBN13: 9780878300730
• ISBN10: 0878300732
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-07-30
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The sound of one hand clapping may be the performer's worst nightmare. In this engaging and disarmingly frank book, comic Jay Sankey spills the beans, explaining not only how to write and perform stand-up comedy, but how to improve and perfect your work. This unique insider's look explores the finer points of stand-up comedy, including sources for ideas and writing the jokes; taking the stage, delivery and timing; dealing with nerves; breaking in new material; relating to the audience; marketing and self-promotion; and much more. Sankey enriches the understanding of anyone who is thinking about a career in this profession. Much more than a how-to manual," Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy" is the most detailed and comprehensive book on the topic to date. It is an invaluable reference tool for amateurs and professionals, a thought-provoking look at performance art, and a source of inspiration for anyone seeking artistic growth.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	xiii	(2)
INTRODUCTION	xv
CHAPTER ONE: STAND-UP	1	(12)
Comedy and Laughter
What Is Stand-Up Comedy?
Why Be a Stand-Up Comic?
Stand-Up Comics
Life on the Road
Being a Female Stand-Up Comic
Amateur Nights
Your First Time Onstage
CHAPTER TWO: WRITING	13	(38)
Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
The Power of Ideas
Expressing vs. Communicating
Clever vs. Funny
Absurdist Humor
Street Jokes
Why Should an Audience Care?
Surprise, Credibility, Truth, and Exaggeration
Does Every Joke Have a Victim?
Ideas vs. Experiences
What Is a Joke?
Be Specific (But Not Too Specific)
Gestures Replacing Words
Three: The Magic Number
Simple Is Better
Callbacks
Writing with Other People
Why Keep Writing
Joke Checklist
CHAPTER THREE: CHARACTER	51	(24)
What's the Difference Between a Comic and an Actor?
Magnifying Glass or Telescope
Why Not Just Be Yourself?
Character-Driven Material
Clothing
CHAPTER FOUR: DELIVERY	75	(22)
Should You Use Your Real Voice?
Experiment
Variety vs. a Uniform Style
Projection and Emotion
Swearing
Shock Comedy
CHAPTER FIVE: PERFORMANCE	97	(40)
The Tools of the Trade
Show and Tell
Memory
Taking the Stage
Strength vs. Aggression
Whatever Doesn't Add, Detracts
Breaking in New Material
Dealing with Nerves
Rehearsing
Props
Other Talents
Music
CHAPTER SIX: SET STRUCTURE	137	(14)
To Segue or Not To Segue
Your First Joke
Nearing the End of Your Set
Your Set
Great Sets
CHAPTER SEVEN: AUDIENCES	151	(26)
A Fish on the Line
Why Do Some Audiences Get Off the Bus?
Spritzing
Being An MC (Master of Ceremonies)
Hell Gigs
Surviving Hell Gigs
Hecklers
Bombing
CHAPTER EIGHT: PROFESSIONAL STAND-UP	177	(28)
Self-Promotion
Promotional Events
You, Other Comics, and the Audience
Drugs, Alcohol, and Superstition
Burn-Out
Lulls in Your Creative Growth
Being Professional
CHAPTER NINE: ZEN AND THE ART OF STAND-UP COMEDY	205	(6)
Water Is Stronger Than Rock
You Are Where You Are
Straining/Restraining vs. Zen
TWENTY TIPS	211	(2)
GLOSSARY	213