Checklist to Make Your Show a Success

Brent Reed has been performing standup comedy for twenty years. In his experience, if a show had a chance of bombing, it was because the checklist below was not followed. Here are some tips to make your show a success!

1. Minimize distractions
A comedian builds a routine through the use of smaller jokes that ultimately end in a big punch line. A good comedian cunningly entwines threads throughout the routine that refer back to previous jokes to make bigger jokes. If the audience is distracted during the show they will miss the build-up and also miss the bigger punch lines scattered throughout the routine.

Try this:

·   Turn off TV’s, games, music and other noise making objects about thirty minutes prior to the show. Turning them off immediately before the show does not allow people time to finish the games and gives a wrong impression of the comedian.
·   Remind any staff moving around to stay in the back, not to talk inside the room and not to move among the audience unless it is an emergency.
·   Move the audience and stage away from the bar, kitchen, facing away from doorways and other noisy or movement areas. Close the doors to the room just prior to the entertainment starting.
·   Brent should perform immediately AFTER the meal and after the tables are cleared. Your show will not be successful if the performance is during the meal.

2. Watch proximity
   Brent loves personal interaction with his audience. If the stage is separated from the audience then it makes interaction difficult. It makes the comedian’s job harder to create a personal connection with every member of the audience. Brent has been known to leave the stage and perform among the audience to solve this problem.

If the group is small, sit everyone together. Brent’s a big man. We don’t want him having a heart attack trying to run between groups.

Make sure each person has a good view of the comedian. Booths, as well as tables that are so tight chairs cannot be turned around, should be avoided at all costs. Don’t let the entertainment be the afterthought. Plan your venue for the entertainment. Choose a room with good stage lighting, minimal distractions and remember a good sound system.

3. Time is a killer
   Your participants are excited and eager to see some great entertainment, but waiting wanes excitement. Dim the lights, make an announcement five minutes in advance then start on the minute.

Timing of the comedian is also important. As mentioned above, the best timing is immediately after the meal. Prior to the meal, people are hungry and want to eat. At the end of a long evening of speeches people want to go home… and will.

Make the comedian’s introduction short and to the point. The emcee should not make jokes. The comedian will just show him up. Ask Brent when he arrives what he would like for an introduction.

4. Last thoughts
   We desire your show to be an absolute success. We understand that you have spent a lot of money hiring Brent and he will perform to his utmost, but he may not be able to overcome poor planning and inadequate preparation. Should you have any questions or desire advice concerning your venue, set-up or plans, please contact us. We are here to help you make your event a success that people will talk about for years to come. We can do that…together!