How to Be a Working Comic: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Stand-Up Comedy [Paperback]

Dave Schwensen (Author)

Book Description

Series: How to Be a Working | Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Getting ahead in standup comedy means having an original slant on things. Many books and comedy classes offer “secrets” and “formulas” intended to make the aspiring comic a big success. In How to Be a Working Comic, author Dave Schwensen points out that the performers who are in demand never follow the same path—and neither should you if you want to excel in this demanding, competitive profession.



Offering more insiders’ advice than any other manual, this book shows you how to try out material; get onstage experience; market your act to talent bookers, agents, and managers; go on the road; get on television, and much more. Supplementing the author’s own expertise are his interviews with more than sixteen proven talents, including Drew Carey, Carrot Top, Jeff Foxworthy, and Tommy Smothers—all of whom embody the qualities of originality, career know-how, and laughter. Schwensen assumes you already believe you’re funny enough to tackle a comedy career. Making sure you develop a comic vision that’s completely your own is the essential lesson in starting out in the exciting but crowded field of standup comedy.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Schwensen, former talent coordinator for A&E's An Evening at the Improv, reminds us that comedy is a business and provides specific and useful advice on basic issues such as headshots, resumes, and agents. While Schwensen sensibly advises novices to be original and to work steadily at stage time, Jay Sankey's Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy (LJ 5/1/98) offers much more on the craft of performance. Nearly half of this book is devoted to brief interviews with 12 top comedians (e.g., Drew Carey, Rhonda Shear, and Rene Hicks). While Jeff Dunham observes that "comedy has taken such a nose-dive," Schwensen does not otherwise acknowledge that comedians face a shrinking stand-up industry. For strong performing arts collections.?Norman Oder, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Dave Schwensen is the owner of Dave Schwensen Entertainment, where he books talent for clubs, colleges, corporate shows, concerts, theaters, and special events. A teacher of comedy workshops, he live in Vermilion, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Back Stage Books (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823088146
• ISBN-13: 978-0823088140
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Schwensen is the author of "How To Be A Working Comic: An Insider's Guide To A Career In Stand-Up Comedy," "Comedy FAQs And Answers: How The Stand-Up Biz Really Works," "The Beatles In Cleveland: Memories, Facts & Photos About The Notorious 1964 & 1966 Concerts," and "Father's Days... And Nights: Humorous Tales from the Frontlines of Fatherhood."

His credits include Talent Coordinator for the television show "A&E's An Evening At The Improv," the Hollywood and New York City Improv Comedy Clubs, and Assistant to Improv founder, Budd Friedman. He has coordinated talent showcases for major television networks and film studios including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with David Letterman," "The Today Show," The Montral "Just For Laughs" Festival, Disney, Paramount, ABC, NBC, FOX, HBO, Showtime and more. As owner of DSEntertainment, he has extensive experience as a college and corporate booking agent, talent manager and publicist.

A nationally recognized comedy / humor coach, his workshops are sold-out events from New York and Philadelphia to Hollywood and San Francisco. Dave has been featured on PBS Television and Radio, Chicago Tribune, Hollywood Reporter, InsiderBiz.com Magazine, U.S. News and World Report and many others.

Dave is a corporate trainer, consultant and keynote speaker specializing in using creativity and politically correct humor as communication tools. He has designed and instructs courses in communications and presentation skills for numerous universities and colleges. Yes, he really can be called "The Nutty Professor!"

As an award-winning humor columnist and entertainment journalist, Dave has had articles published in the United States, Canada and Japan. His reviews, interviews and behind the scenes exclusives have included entertainers such as Paul McCartney, Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks and Britney Spears. Selected articles from his weekly humor column, "Something To Laugh About," are available in the eBook "Father's Days... And Nights: Humorous Tales from the Frontlines of Fatherhood."

His book, "The Beatles In Cleveland," is truly a labor of love. His parents took him to see The Fab Four and his combination of research, interviews and memories - along with many rare photos and memorabilia - have landed the book on numerous best-seller lists including Top 25 on Amazon.com for Biographies & Memoirs, Composers & Musicians, and the No. 1 position for Items Sold In Northern Ohio.

Dave brings the experience of seeing The Beatles live to his multimedia author presentation, "Beatlemania on the Northcoast." Included in this event are rare and historic films of The Beatles performing in Cleveland, Ohio during their 1964 and 1966 tours. Beatlemaniaonthenorthcoast.com.

Coming in 2012 - "The Beatles at Shea Stadium" by Dave Schwensen and Philip Kamin. A pleasant time is guaranteed for all...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that will help you map out your career in comedy., October 19, 1999

By 

Lanny Moody (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Be a Working Comic: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Stand-Up Comedy (Paperback)

How To Be A Working Comic is the first book you should read before attempting a comedy career. It will show you how to get on stage, and what to do after you step off the stage. A book that is simple and easy to read and yet it covers every detail on getting a booker intrested in calling you. Dave you couldn't have made it any easer unless you went on stage for me, and gave me the paycheck. Thanks a thousand laughs.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone considering Stand Up comedy!, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Be a Working Comic: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Stand-Up Comedy (Paperback)

It covers so much ground. Very useful information on both the creative and business end of the competetive field of Stand Up comedy. Dave Schwensen informs you of the ins and outs in the comedy circuit while also encouraging you to have your own voice. Great reference book. Even after I read it, I still refer to it. A veritable "manual" on Stand Up. In addition, I enjoyed very much the interviews in the back of the book with working professional comedians (Drew Carey, Jeff Foxworthy, etc.)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all comics!, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Be a Working Comic: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Stand-Up Comedy (Paperback)

I have been a working comic since '91 and I've read all the books. This is the most practical one yet. Real world information that any comic can use, MC's, Features, and Headliners can all learn something from this book. If you are new, this is a MUST HAVE book!