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Stand-up Comedy
So you think you're funny? Many actors
try to do stand-up. In fact, a lot of stand-up is acting. The first thing
you need to do is get to a comedy club. That's a little harder than you
may think. Comedy went bust in the '90s. Comedy clubs were hot in the '80s;
now they are few and far between. The
Comedy Cabaret has the only weekly shows in the area. Check out their
web page for shows and times. They have a room in Delaware as of March
2001, it is at the Woodstowne Nite Club 837 N. Orange St. (302) 652- 7863.
Shows aare 8:30 PM on Saturdays. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the
door. Advance tickets must be purchased before noon on Friday of the Saturday
show. Klondike Kate's has a
comedy show the 2nd Wednesday of the month hosted by Geno
Bisconte, with no cover charge. It's not an open mike but Geno will
put new folk up on stage sometimes. They have an open mike night at the
Comedy Cabaret. It's at the Northeast Philly Comedy Cabaret on Wednesday
nights at 8:30. You have to be there a half-hour before showtime to sign
up. You have to do five minutes of original material, no homage to Chris
Rock. If you want to be a comic, this is like gold. It gives you a chance
to try out new material in a setting were everyone is new at it. Sometimes
the regular comics come to try out new stuff; this is a great chance to
get to know the inside of the business. If you go to the open mic, bring
your friends with you. They let you feel more at ease and the chance of
them finding you funny is better than with a stranger. If stage fright
is a problem, you can conquer it on stage when no one is paying you. You
can volunteer to help as a seater in the clubs. You get to meet the managers
and the comics, plus you get to see the show for free. You might think
about taking classes. The Comedy Cabaret offers classes on its web site.
They offer classes in the winter and in the fall. If you sign up a week
in advance, they give a discount. Still the best class you will ever take
is getting up on stage and doing it. back