4 thoughts on “9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Launch Your Own Live Comedy Show

  1. Dan Dion says:

    I agree with almost everything in this post- certainly anyone wanting to start a room should read it. My only disagreement is in the “you shouldn’t bother charging money for tickets.” It is my opinion that an audience that gets in for free- ESPECIALLY if the ENTIRE audience gets in for free- is not invested in the show. Even having a $3 or $5 cover fixes this problem. SOMETHING so that psychologically you have created an agreement that the audience has paid for something that is professional.
    Luna Lounge in NY used to charge $5 and with that you got a drink ticket. Even this small exchange made a difference.

  2. Josh Spector says:

    Yeah, that’s a valid point Dan. In re-reading what I wrote, I realized that “shouldn’t” is probably too strong a word. What I really mean is that you should consider the option of a free show.

    But I agree with you that in some respects you get what they pay for in terms of crowds.

  3. Before you launch a comedy show it is crucial to get a minimum six month commitment from the venue. They need to believe in the show and realize it takes weeks, if not months for a show to be a mainstay.

  4. RICO says:

    IF THE VALUE IS PRESENTED RIGHT, THE DOOR ADMISSION IS NOT A PROBLEM.
    I JUST STARTED RUNNING A “ROOM” IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
    LAST WEEK ALMOST TO CAPACITY. @ $5.00 A TICKET!
    THE 10 COMIC LINE-UP WITH SOME AWESOME BACKROUNDS.
    (EVEN KEPT THEIR ACTS TO A “PG” RATED SHOW.)
    THE IMPROV, THE LAUGH FACTORY, THE COMEDY STORE, ETC.
    THE COMICS HANGING WITH CUSTOMERS BEFOREHAND AND AFTER HELPS.
    THE HOST (MYSELF) MAKING SURE EVERYONE FELT RELAX, IT WAS A TOTAL GROUP EFFORT.
    NOT A “BRINGER” SHOW, I CONVINCED THE MANANGEMENT TO PROVIDE THE COMICS WITH 2 “FREE DRINKS” OF THEIR CHOOSING AND AN APPETIZER!
    THE PLACE HAS A GREAT FOLLOWING AND HAVE GOTTEN CALLS FOR THE NEXT SHOWS COMING UP.
    THE MANAGEMENT WAS SO IMPRESSED THEY SIGNED ON FOR 6 MONTHS!
    AND OTHER COMICS WANTING TO COME ON BOARD BECAUSE OF THE RESPECT OF EVERYONE INVOLVED!
    GETTING MORE FOR YOUR BUCK AND THE CUSTOMERS GOT JUST THAT.
    A GREAT COMEDY HOUR SHOW FOR ONLY A $5.00 ENTRY, ON A WEDNESDAY!
    SORRY FOR THE CAPS (I WASN’T ANGRY!) HA! HA! I JUST TYPE IN CAPS!
    WE ARE NOW TALKING OF 2 FUND-RAISER EVENTS IN THE NEXT 2 MONTHS USING COMEDY AS A MAIN STREAM WHERE THEY HAVE A ROOM TO FIT OVER 300+ PEOPLE WITH BOTH TV AND CABLE COVERAGE @ 25.00 A TICKET!
    RRRRRRRRRRRRR.RICO

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