Comedy/Improv
Legends such as Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and Steve Martin know that the best avenues for breaking into comedy are standup, improv, and sketch comedy.
Standup is considered one of the toughest performance genres, but there are many stages to fill. Good standups are in demand; they often spend months on the road, playing comedy clubs throughout the country. Most get their start at unpaid "open mike" nights held at comedy clubs or small performance venues. The open mikes at mid-size to large clubs can be pretty harsh; it's better to cut your teeth at a smaller, more supportive space before attempting a Monday night at Caroline's.
Mastering the art of improv, or a performance given without preparation, is key to exercising your funny bone. It's also a great skill to have for casting auditions and acting in general. Improv classes taught throughout the country provide great training for new actors and a way for veteran performers to loosen up. The most common kind of comedy improv found in established theatres and schools such as the Groundlings and Second City is called Long Form. Pioneered by teacher Del Close, Long Form (or "The Harold") consists of actors performing several of improvs around a set of themes.
Actors often use improv or standup to come up with ideas for scripted sketch comedy, a series of short scenes usually between one and 10 minutes long. The challenge of performing sketch is finding the right group of actors to work with and testing your material before audiences. Fortunately, every major city has its share of small and large theatres open to sketch comedy. Because sketch comics must also be impeccable comedy writers, many go onto careers behind, as well as in front of, the camera, such as Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live).
Trends in TV indicate that sketch and improv are on the rise. With 30 seasons under its belt, sketch powerhouse Saturday Night Live is one of the most successful shows of all time. The fully improv-ed Whose Line Is it Anyway? and "scripted improvisation" sitcoms such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, and HBO's The Comeback are also making improv more visible and popular.
Performing standup, improv, or sketch is also an excellent way to meet and collaborate with fellow actors. There's plenty work for accomplished comic actors. So get funny fast! (No pressure...)
LINKS
Master Storytelling
Standup and actor Paul Provenza discusses his documentary on comics and "blue" humor.
Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald
Co-founders of the sketch group Kids in the Hall talk about succeeding on TV and in film.
Festival Express
A guide to applying and succeeding in comedy festivals for improv and sketch groups.
Improv-able Cause
Getting the most out of improv at BATS in San Francisco, the West Coast's largest center of improvisational theatre training and performance.
Start Clowning Around
Improv and sketch actors learn at the clowning class at the Clown Conservatory in San Francisco.
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