I grew up in an acting family. My mother and father were actors. My father was a successful character actor.
I studied at the Actor’s Studio in New York and Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute here in L.A.
But it all really came together when I started doing stand up. I just took a comedy class and developed an act. That is when I learned that stand up comedy is great for actors!
Stand up gave me an opportunity to be creative and develop content in between acting gigs. Stand up gave me the opportunity to play in front of 5 people to 15,000 people.
It gave me a chance to find my own voice, to be ‘real, present and in the moment’ on stage.
In acting, that is huge, for more reasons than just one. I put together fourteen.
If you’re having a dry spell in your acting, here are 14 reasons Stand Up Comedy is great for actors and a terrific addition to your skill set.
1. Casting Courage
You can learn to master playing in front of just a few people, which is very similar to a casting situation.
2. You learn to ad-lib:
Improv skills are one thing. Being able to ad-lib on the subject matter in a split-second is something you learn in stand-up.
3. Storytelling:
You learn not only how to tell stories that are funny, you learn interpret the humor in scripts and how to play comedy successfully by playing against the comedy. Mediocre comedians play the comedy. Great comedians play the situation.
After performing stand up, Performing in an audition situation was a piece of cake. I mean what could these people ever say to hurt my feelings that some drunk in the city hasn’t already said?
Ray Romano, Star of "Everybody Loves Raymond"
4. It’s a brilliant way to showcase.
Casting directors and directors are coming to comedy showcases more than ever. Casting directors, agents and managers are always looking for new talent. The problem is their time is very limited. They would rather come out to watch your 6-10 minute showcase than come out an watch a 2-hour play. It’s simple time management.
5. It demonstrates courage.
Most of the people you are trying to impress in the industry are in awe of artists who have the courage to do stand up. My friend met Robert Redford recently. Redford said, “I’m in awe of comedians. Doing stand up scares the hell out of me.”
6. The one-man/one-woman show
– your ticket to notoriety.
7. Work When You’re Not Working
When you’re a working comic and also an actor, you can work when you’re not “working.” Meaning, you can get gigs as a comedian and pay the bills performing when you don’t have an acting gig.
8. Funny is “Smart”
When people think you’re funny, they also think you’re smart. Funny is memorable. People like to be around people who make them laugh. If two actors are up for a job and the CD or the Director just saw you perform at a comedy club and you made them laugh, who is that CD most likely to choose?
9. You learn to be you
In 99 percent of all casting situations the casting director asks the actor to “just be yourself.” You’d be amazed at how many actors freeze. Actors spend so much time in training learning to develop characters that they forget how to be themselves. Stand up comedy gives you that ability.
10. Learn to NAIL AUDITIONS
Nothing develops unbreakable confidence onstage than performing stand up on a regular basis. “You develop a thick skin, ” says actor Ray Romano. “After performing stand up, Performing in an audition situation was a piece of cake. I mean what could these people ever say to hurt my feelings that some drunk in the city hasn’t already said?” One of the best ways to develop unbreakable confidence on stage is by doing stand up on a regular basis.
11. Memorability
– Whether it’s an audition or a comedy competition, one of the primary qualities that get you moving to the next level (the quarter or semi-final rounds in competitions, call-backs with producers, network or studio with acting), so if you go into an audition and you’re funny, you become memorable.
13. “It’s Impossible to Dislike Someone Who Makes You Laugh
This is one of my absolute favorites. I’ve used this in commercials, sitcoms & episodics. For someone to laugh with you they have to temporarily give themselves over to you. And when you make someone laugh, they like you. In the run of actors coming into the room to read, if you’re the one that leaves them in stitches… they will want to see you again!
14. 60-Percent of Breakdowns are for ‘Comedic Character’
– If you’re not studying comedy, you’re losing out on 60-percent of the acting opportunities currently being cast.
15. Stand-Up Comedy Shows Them a Different Side of You
– Every agent I’ve met looks at my resume and says, “Oh! You do stand-up?!” When it comes to ‘special skills’ stand-up can be one of your best assets!
Take Your Acting to the Next Level
So what are you waiting for? Take a class and in 8 weeks you’ll have a comedy routine you can perform, that will be video taped and you’ll be proud to showcase.
