5 Tips on Coming Up with Comedy Premises - Your Next Step to Becoming a Stand-Up Comedian!

Creating ideas for a stand-up comedy set can feel overwhelming! But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! You need to come up with funny, original, and relatable ideas that will have your audience rolling in the aisles! So, how do you get all those brilliant ideas down on paper? Let’s dive into this step-by-step guide to help you unleash your comedic genius!

Step 1: Find Your Premise

A solid premise is the backbone of any successful comedy routine! It can make the difference between an audience laughing hysterically or leaving in silence. With the right approach, you can craft a premise that will have your audience in stitches!

What’s the easiest thing to write about? Something unique to you! Most comedians start here because no one else has lived your experiences! If you prefer to write about something else, consider current events or everyday situations. Just remember, these can be trickier to find the funny in!

Step 2: Brainstorming

Now that you’ve picked your topic, set a timer for five minutes! Write down everything that pops into your head about your chosen topic. There are no wrong answers here! Just let your thoughts flow, even if they seem unrelated. Get it all down! This will help clear your mind and make space for even more creativity!

Step 3: Finding Themes

Spend a few minutes grouping your brainstormed ideas into different topics. Look for similarities and key themes. Then, pick your favourite four! These are the gems most likely to yield comedic gold!

Step 4: There’s No Funny Without Feels!

Let’s add some attitude! We need your feelings and opinions because if you don’t care, why should the audience? Here are some questions to help you uncover the funny:

• What’s weird about this topic?

• What scares you about it?

• What’s challenging about it?

• Where’s the absurdity?

  
  

For each question, spend five minutes jotting down your thoughts. Imagine you’re having a lively rant with friends, letting all your humorous opinions fly!

Step 5: Don’t Claim, Demonstrate!

Here’s the crucial part! Don’t just tell us how you feel—show us! Did you know that only 7% of meaning comes from words? The rest is all about body language and tone! Think about Act Outs or changing your voice. If something scares you, show us! If you’re angry, let that rage explode on stage!

You can also paint a vivid picture for your audience. Use examples that compare two completely different ideas! For instance, juxtapose something massive and exciting with something mundane and everyday. This contrast can lead to some hilarious moments!

Conclusion: Time to Write Some Jokes!

Now that you’ve got some ideas brewing, it’s time to write some jokes! We’ll cover that in the next part of this series, where we’ll explore every step of the journey to becoming a stand-up comedian!

If you want to learn more, check out Grainne Maguire’s fantastic course! Some of these processes were inspired by her! She’s a brilliant comedian who has read all the comedy books and attended the courses so you don’t have to! You can find her amazing course here!

Other Comedy Courses Worth Checking Out:

• Learn and perform at the Comedy Store with Mike Gunn! Check it out here.

• Angel Comedy is a comedian’s favourite club! They offer fantastic courses with discounts and bursaries! Learn more here.

• Most of the biggest names in comedy have attended Jill Edwards School! Discover their courses here.

• THE School of Comedy offers courses for beginners and regulars! Check them out here.

• Want to showcase your work in London’s West End? Explore opportunities here.

  
  

Want to see how it’s done before you hit the stage? We’ve been hailed as one of the best comedy clubs in London! So, if you’re eager to see the pros in action, come on down to one of our shows! Grab your tickets for Comedy in Your Eye on our main page here!.

If you want to learn more about how to become a stand-up comedian, check out our other articles here!

Let’s get those laughs rolling!