By KATIE KLIMACEK
Co-Executive Editor
You might have read the title and thought, “ha, challenges of being a comedian? Yeah, right. I’m sure a job that requires you to get up at 7:30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. show is very challenging.”
Well, thank you for your sarcasm, but let’s try to leave the jokes to the pros, shall we?
It might shock people when I say this, but becoming a comedian is not as easy as one might think. Surprisingly, pursuing a career of comedy is no laughing matter—see what I did there? It takes years or practice, rewrites of jokes and sketches, classes and workshops, failed open mics, and countless people telling you that it would be wise to have a “backup plan.”
For the record, I have been in the make ‘em laugh game for only a few years, but I have already faced a handful of obstacles and have a good grasp on the struggles that are still to come.
Just like any other profession or job that requires a particular skill, it takes years of practice. When you see a sketch or improv show, the audience is seeing the finished, polished product.
But what came before that was hours of object work exercises, ridiculous warm ups, shows with only five people (three of whom are friends you bribed into coming), a ton of failed jokes that never received a laugh, and let’s be honest, classes that cost more then you will make in your first few years of being a comedic performer.
When I tell people that I have to go to rehearsal for improv they look at me like I just told them I am currently harboring a fugitive in my attic. “But isn’t it all made up? Why do you have to practice?”
It’s pretty simple: practice makes perfect, and when it comes to making stuff up, you have to know what works and what doesn’t. Especially when you are starting out, there are a handful of rules that you need to know and learn before you can just jump on a stage and expect laughs.
By far one of the greatest challenge for comics, especially young ones, is the constant questioning from friends, family and what feels like everyone else in the universe.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” they ask. “Do you have a backup plan?”
“Well, are you going to be able to support yourself?”
Yes, thank you. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I’m fully aware of the fact that I won’t be actually making money for quite some time. I’m not doing it for the money or the fame, I’m doing it because—call me crazy—it makes me happy and I love making people laugh.
I understand that most of the constant questioning and comments come from a place of love and care. Most of the time the people asking just want you to be able to live on your own and be financially sound. But let’s be honest, no matter what your job is, or what you are majoring in school, you have just as much of a chance of not getting a job as someone in the entertainment business.
Despite the struggles and challenges that come along with being a comedic performer, they are all outweighed by the moment when you step on stage with an eager audience in front of you, ready to laugh.
Not to mention, when you get that first laugh, it is the most reaffirming and comforting thing that will happen. It just reminds you why you took that eight-week class on scene work again and gives you motivation to continue on to your next adventure.
Until next time, Katie
