Should you consider taking a comedy class to further advance your career as a stand-up comic? In this man’s opinion, the answer is a resounding YES!!
Many comedians who are starting out in the business may feel that they will be able to navigate the business effectively on their own by trial and error. Could you make it by yourself with no help? Absolutely. Will your talent come through to potential bookers without preparing a professional demo tape? Maybe…
As much as we all love comedy, we need to remember that this is a business. With any business you need a marketing plan to bring the product, (You) to the market place. You may be the most talented and funny comedian of all time, but if you are not educated on how to sell yourself, you may waste quite a bit of time learning on your own.
If you are lucky enough to get an opportunity to showcase yourself, will you actually be ready? Will your material be tight? Will you have enough stage time and experience to deliver your set effectively? Or will you blow that chance and delay your success?
Probably the best thing I have done for myself is to enlist the help of Brad Trackman from the Philadelphia Comedy Academy, located at Helium in Philadelphia. Brad has almost twenty years of experience as a stand-up comedian. He has been on all of the major networks, including Comedy Central. Additionally Brad is a weekend regular at Carolines, Gotham, The Cellar (all the major clubs in NYC) & headlines such "A" rooms as The San Fran Punchline, Helium, & the D.C. Improv to name a few.
You are going to learn from Brad’s experience on how to improve your skills, such as: The proper use of a microphone, writing better, stage presence, what bookers and club managers are looking for, putting together a good demo tape, and marketing yourself. Another great part of these classes is that you are practicing in front of people who share the same interest as you. There is a camaraderie that develops within the group where you are given support and constructive criticism as well. At the end of the class, all of the students get together and perform at Helium. There is a professional videographer at the show to record your set. You will also have the option to get multiple copies to use as a demo.
If you’re serious about becoming a professional, ask yourself some of these questions, "Would I be able to do my current job without the proper training?” “If you wanted to advance your career at any job, wouldn’t it be helpful to take classes so you could improve your skills?”
"Do you want to depend on luck or hard work?”
Philadelphia Comedy Academy