Open Mic Tips: Should I Be Doing New Material?

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Ah, the age old question: Should I try my new joke at the open mic tonight? Aspiring comedians often face the dilemma of whether to stick with the same material or try out new stuff each week. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are different perspectives to take depending on how far along the comedy journey you are. Let’s dive in.

Developing Your Act

It’s super important to work on your act and improve it over time. Start by doing a five-minute set, recording the whole thing, and then watching it later. This way, you can see which jokes land and which ones don’t. It’s all about figuring out what works and letting go of what doesn’t. If you keep practising and refining your act week after week, you’ll be able to create a solid and entertaining set with lots of funny material.

The Power of Funny Material

Do you live with the constant fear of repeating jokes? Don’t worry, if your material is genuinely funny, the audience won’t mind hearing it again. And– more often than not, it’s going to be completely different people. But it’s all about delivering genuinely funny material.

Think about comedy albums or specials. Fans often listen to their favourite comedians repeatedly without losing interest. The key lies in consistently bringing the lols with your material. So, don’t worry too much about repeating jokes. Focus on delivering your material in a way that truly connects with your audience. As long as you’re making people laugh, they’ll enjoy it, even if they’ve heard it before.

Jerry Corely breaks it all down here.

The Core Act vs. New Material

When it comes to whether comedians should focus on their core act or experiment with new material, there isn’t a definitive answer. From my experience, I’ve learned the importance of finding a balance.

Here are five essential elements that every act should have:

1. Great Jokes: Strong and well-crafted jokes are crucial. Avoid repeating mediocre material that consistently falls flat. Continuously refine your jokes to ensure they are genuinely funny and resonate with the audience.
2. Point of View: Developing a unique perspective or point of view sets you apart. It establishes your identity and makes your material more relatable and meaningful to the audience.
3. Branding Device: Incorporate a memorable branding device into your act. This could be a recurring gag, a distinct persona, or a catchy catchphrase that distinguishes you from others. A branding device helps the audience remember you and provides a hook for future engagements.
4. Profundity: Adding a level of depth and thought-provoking elements to your act can make a lasting impact. Make observations or present perspectives that make the audience reflect on their own beliefs or views.
5. Strong Closer: Every core act should end with a powerful joke or a big finish. This final moment is what the audience will remember most vividly. Aim to end on a high note to create a memorable and satisfying experience.

The Technique:

When it comes to changing material for different rooms, there’s a technique that can be helpful.

1. Open the set with tried-and-true material that is known to work well. This not only boosts your confidence but also allows the audience to connect and engage right from the start. Now, you have some credit with the audience and they trust you.

2. After the strong opener, you can then experiment with new material in the middle of their set.

3. CLOSE STRONG. You want to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Now get out there and try some new material! …or don’t!

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