Why The Opening Stand-up Comedy Act Has The Hardest Job

The Challenge of the Opening Act in Stand-Up Comedy

When it comes to learning how to be a comedian…

The opening act in the stand-up comedy environment is arguably the hardest spot in a lineup of comedians — particularly from a laughter generation standpoint.

It’s often referred to as the “bullet-taking” spot.

Here’s why that is, no matter what “level” the comedian is at when performing in that critical opening spot…

In comedy venues that are set up properly, most individuals are seated closely together with strangers — people they have never met and don’t know.

Instinctively, we are “on guard” around people we don’t know, and there’s usually a measure of tension that exists until that tension is released and a feeling of “safety” (for lack of a better term) exists (from group laughter).

There is also that unfortunate possibility of those who are closest to the stage “getting picked on” by any of the comedians in the show, which can add a measure of uneasiness to those in the audience.

Then there is the aspect that the opening comedian tends to be known as the least skilled of the comedians in any lineup.

Important: I have never been in agreement with sending a lesser-skilled comedian on stage as an opening act to start a show. It’s more of a testament to what audiences are willing to put up with and what venue managers are willing to serve up less-than-adequate entertainers.

From the comedian’s perspective, the audience is “cold” at this point.

Enter the opening act.

Their job is to break this tension with laughter — and it can be much more difficult to get going when starting with a “cold” audience.

This is something to recognize when using Comedy Evaluator Pro for performance evaluation because…

A comedian usually won’t get the same response as an opener as they will performing the exact same material as a middle (feature) act or as a headliner.

The important thing to note here is to be aware of this “cold audience” situation and put into perspective that it’s more difficult to get a “cold” crowd going than to get a “warmed-up” crowd going.

When I was working as a comedian for the Coach House chain in the mid-90s, their stand-up comedy lineup was ALL headliners. Rarely did a middle act get on the show.

I have performed in every spot — opener, middle, and headliner. Same material, but almost always slightly different results as an opening act — more so than any other spot in a lineup of comedians. Why?

It simply takes more time to get an audience from “cold” to “warm.”

Understanding the Role of the Opening Act

So if you are learning how to be a comedian…

Don’t get discouraged if your stand-up material doesn’t quite get the response you would like in the opening act spot, even if it has generated big laughs in other positions in the lineup.

You have a tough job there “warming up” the crowd that most comedians who follow you will appreciate.

Additional Tips for the Opening Act:

• Engage Quickly: Start with your strongest material to capture the audience’s attention immediately.
• Read the Room: Pay attention to the audience’s reactions and adjust your delivery and material accordingly.
• Stay Positive: Maintain high energy and a positive demeanor to help break the initial tension in the room.
• Build Rapport: Use personal anecdotes or relatable humor to connect with the audience on a personal level.

By understanding the unique challenges of the opening act and applying these strategies, you can improve your performance and set the stage for a successful show.