OPEN MICs Want to become a comedian?

I was coming out of a show last Friday with a comedian asking for open mic schedules. The guy at the door knew nothing. His job is to bark folks in and sell tickets. That’s about it.

Back in the day a comic could just pop into a club as beg for stage time. These days there are TOO many comics. In the big clubs they don’t want you bothering the door people etc.

Most open mics are independently produced. Club staff probably will not know much to help you.

In order to get stage time you need to get on the list usually via email. The slots at the most popular mics are usually sold out long before you arrive at the club.

Some mics are completely free. MOST charge a small fee. SOME give your a FREE drink.

RECOMMENDED – Go to a bunch of mics. Network with comics. Volunteer to help run door. Learn how to produce a mic. Start your own. Then trade spots with other comics.

HOMEWORK – Not getting work as a comic yet? Then try to get on stage EVERY night until you do. Like musician .actors etc – every night you are not in the clubs someone else is. In ten years you want a resume of clubs and TV appearances, not excuses! Treat this like a job, a career, and results will follow

Here a few we know about…

Greenwich Village Comedy Club

99 Macdougal St

Every Friday at 4pm going forward. This is an open minded all inclusive supportive mic. It’s $5 for 5 minutes. Comics can register by emailing drewandpetermic@gmail.com

Sunday 5pm Happy Hour $5 cover. No drink rec at this time. Walk-in with no email sign-up. standupcomedybooking@gmail.com

Tuesday 6pm Comedy Stars Open Mic Sign up is at 5:45 PM. It is $5, you get 6-7 mins stage time, and a FREE DRINK! Steve Arons

Broadway Comedy Club

Fridays 5:00pm-6:30pm, $5/5 minutes **** the first 3 peeps to sign up online and then show up in person will get an additional 5 mins for a total of 10 mins, if they stay until the end of the mic. sign up online to reserve your spot, up vote this mic to add an additional min to your time. **join us once a month for a masterclass where 3 mic regulars and 2 randomly-selected comics will get feedback from comedians from your favorite late-night talk shows and comedy specials. teresa@chepookah.tv

Tuesday 4:30pm Get Funny Open Mic $5/6 minutes/2 rounds First Come, First Serve sophianurse7@gmail.com

New York Comedy Club

241 E 24th St (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues)

Fridays 5:30 – $3 for 3 minutes. pay an extra $5 to pick an early spot (bucket for $3) michaelverdicomedy@gmail.com

Monday 5pm $3 cover

Grisly Pear Comedy Club

The pear is a rare find these days. It’s more of a bar with a mini club in back. This is a room by comics for comics. If you are new and looking for stage time, this may be one of the few places to drop in. You may not get stage time tonight but meet and greet the producers

Saturday 2pm $5/5 mins mhdezcomedy@gmail.com

Sunday 2pm Comedy Church $5 gets you 6-8 minutes. 15 people max. Sign-up online/walk-ins 1:45pm. pearcomedychurch@gmail.com

Tuesday 5pm Murphy’s Law Open Mic Sign up at 5. Start time at 5:30. $5 for 5 minutes Kaitlyn Murphy

Stand Up New York

236 West 78th Street (Just west of Broadway)

Monday 5pm $5 for 5 min. Signup/pay same day at www.standupny.com/open-mic/ for a guaranteed spot

F COMEDY @ WEST SIDE COMEDY CLUB

Many Shows weekly!!! 5 Minute Mic Followed by 2 Minutes of Feedback at the West Side Comedy Club ($5 fee if you have not participated in an F Comedy show in the past year.) fcomedyclub@gmail.com