How To Start Performing


Getting Those First Shows

You've been working quite a while on lip control, your manipulation is good, and you've been rehearsing a routine. You are ready to perform in front of an audience. Now, how do you get the gig?

Most beginners in vent realize they will need to start slow and work up to bigger and more important shows. The more performing you do, the more experience you obtain. Getting those first shows can be challenging. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

First, think about what type of group your show will be best suited for. Hopefully you have already done this, but if not, now is the time. Decide if you are more appropriate for kids, family, or adult audiences. Once you know your target market, you can take the next step towards booking a show.

Your first few shows should not be major ones. It will take a few outings in front of an audience before you get the feel of how your material works, so take it easy and work your way up. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Your goals are not only to get the act in front of the public and obtain more bookings, but to gain experience and confidence on stage.

To get your first few shows, start talking to friends. Word of mouth is the way to go when you are beginning. Talk to folks and let them know you are wanting to try out new material and are looking for opportunities to perform. If you are doing a family or kid show, churches and religious organizations often have dinners and gatherings where you can start entertaining with vent. Church picnics, Sunday Schools, and summer Bible schools may be able to use you..

Boy and Girl Scout groups might need your services. The smaller groups within the larger organization may provide you an audience of kids and welcome entertainment. Skip the large banquets until you have a few more shows under your belt. Fraternal organizations may have special family activities that can use your services, so check with any of these you may belong to. Some groups, like school PTO's and churches, may have entertainment for children while conducting a business meeting, another opportunity for you.

Unless your primary market is nursing homes or hospitals, I recommend not taking shows at them until you are more experienced. They might be easy to get into, but the shows can be very difficult. Nursing homes and hospitals require different approaches than other shows, and the reactions you get will not be the same as from other audiences. At this point you are looking for experience from your target market, and unless this is what are what you are going for, the results might be disappointing. When you are a bit more established they can be very rewarding, but you need some extra experience before tackling these special audiences.

Keep your eyes open for opportunities to perform in your community. The newspaper may mention activities that could use a beginning act. If you are wanting to do adult shows, look for comedy clubs that have open mic nights in larger cities. Smaller cities may have a comedy club once a week. Go to them just to observe how they work and decide if you should give it a try next time. Even just a few minutes of stage time to tell a joke can be beneficial in letting you know how your approach will work for the intended market.

Charging for your beginning shows is something for debate. Some entertainers will say they are trying out new material and do not charge for the show. Others ask for a token amount to "cover expenses", as this lets the group understand that if they book you again there will be a regular fee. The decision on this depends a lot on where you will be performing and how much confidence you have. I lean towards not charging anything for your very first couple of shows, especially if your market is kids or churches. When you explain how you are "trying out material" and want to see how it works, they are usually understanding. Some entertainers will then give a big discount on their fee to these spots when they are asked back, or use them continually to try out new things. That's up to you.

Opportunities are out there for your first show. Use your contacts, see what is going on in the community, and before long you will have those first shows booked and be your way to the paying work.

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