Comedy Tips: Auditions

To get your big break in comedy is a trial by fire. Shitty gigs,no pay. It is the pits. Actually one of its biggest pitfalls is auditioning. Dr. Awkward auditions every day. We audition for everything we make as a group, just to stay sharp. It is a must.

Sometimes you just don't get the part. Sometimes you get nervous, forget lines, the point. You sweat/smell. You don't even know why you are there. Well we can help you with all that nonsense. Here are a few pointers from Dr. Awkward so you can nail the part and move your little career along.

1. Don't be nervous. - Just be yourself, relax and have fun.


2. Eye contact. - Make lots of eye contact. Boatloads of it. Let them know you are serious about this part. Not just serious, but confident and collected.


3. Be sober. - Now I know we all love to get a little loose from time to time but now is not the time. Your are here to impress. Be professional.


4. Or be just the right amount of drunk. - That being said, there are those sweet drunken moments when you can feel that the cosmos has aligned, things are clicking like clockwork, and everything you say and hear turns to gold.


5. Don't be a bully. - Let's face it, bullies are dicks. That shit is totally uncalled for and it certainly will not be tolerated here.


6. Don't be armed. - There is not one single reason to bring a weapon with you. Not one. Unless you have a good one, but I doubt it. You will be destined for disaster.


7. Stick to the script. - Can't stress this enough. You know people take the time to write that garbage so you might as well spew it back at them how they want to hear it. Just give them what they are asking for and it will pay off every time.

Uncle Awkward

Comedy Tips: Warming up

We may make it look easy folks but comedy just doesn't happen on its own these days. The key to comedy success is to be prepared. Dr. Awkward has come to this conclusion after doing nothing and having it produce less than favorable results. Take doing sketches for example, you would think you can just run up on stage or stand up on the bus, say some silly shit and everyone thinks it's gangbusters. Well, no.....comedy just doesn't work that way. What makes good comedy you say? Well shut the fuck up and let me tell you. It is a complex regimen of pre-sketch stretches,workouts, calistedics, and physical abuse that get those comedic juices flowing. Here's how we break it down before we bring the funny.

First off you have to stay loose. This is crucial. Loose as a goose. You want feel like you have had at least five beers 80% of the time you are performing. The other 20% is a combination of keeping up an extreme sweat and having a stomach ache. If this sounds and seems uncomfortable to you, you're wrong and you should just stop reading this because you don't have what it takes to make it. Loser.

The first workout is used to develop trust. If your comedy team lacks trust, you're in some big trouble. You will crash and burn at the mere attempt of humor.
Trust falls are indispensable. They not only instill group confidence, they keep you light on your toes. Any one can fall at a moments notice. For those of you feeling a little more adventurous, take it up a notch with some trust surgery.
After establishing trust, it is imperative that you take a shit.
Clear bowels are the life blood a sketch. This can not be stressed enough. You don't want that coming out mid-scene.

To be properly warmed and ready to go you have to know the game plan. If someone is not set or runs the wrong route, your jokes will fall flat and you will look like a bunch of amateurs. Always study your playbook.
What you guys don't have playbooks?...Jesus, you're hopeless.

Alright we now have trust, clean empty stomachs, and a feeling of self satisfaction that will last for minutes. The last on the list is probably the toughest. Of course I talking about.......... the veggie tray.
Eat it up, the more dip you use the funnier you are on stage.

So there you go. Cats out of the bag. You want to make little comedy? You want make some people laugh? This is how it works. You just have to stick to the plan.