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that you didn't anticipate when you were rehearsing.
Rehearse the compere's introduction
Take some photos. Nice to have as a memento but also may be useful to promote your writing in the future.
Make sure that the seating's all set out, and that any seats that have been reserved are clearly marked.
If you have programmes, either place them on the seats or get the ticket office to hand them out as people arrive

Make sure that someone is there to look after the ticket desk.
If you've got VIP guests (media or industry people), then try to make sure that they are welcomed and shown to their seats.
Make sure that the venue staff know what's expected of them (i.e. what time the doors need to open, etc)

Step 8: Perform the show

With all the preparations out of the way, you will hopefully be able to sit back and enjoy a slick performance that will be well received by your packed audience!

Often comedy venues will also include a bar that the audience goes onto after the show. If this is the case, you can mingle after the show and gauge feedback.

Step 9: In the days and weeks after the show

Make sure that you follow through on some key actions, to fully maximise the value that you get from staging the show. Some of the things to consider are:

If you arranged for the show to be recorded, get hold of the recording. You can then put it onto CDs to send to people that you want to promote your writing to
Check to see if you received any reviews. If positive reviews were received, you can use them to promote your writing.
Send your CD (and any positive reviews) to key industry contacts. Follow up with a phone call (especially to any who attended the show)

There's a lot of hard work that goes into the staging of a comedy show. However, it can be extremely rewarding, even if it doesn't lead to a big break through into TV or radio shows. Apart from anything else, you will learn a lot about the various skills that are required to stage shows, and you may also get insights into what parts of your writing are well received and which parts are less so. If you have the time, money and energy, it's something that I would definitely recommend!

Learn more about this author, Simon Wright.
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