If you're interested in getting into the standup comedy circuit, the best way is to go to comedy clubs. Listen and learn. Also, watch stand-up comedians on television. Listen and learn. You should also visit the various websites devoted to stand-up comedians and standup comic enthusiasts.

Visit the website of the famous Hollywood Improv Comedy Clubs & Dinner Theatres located at http://www.improv.com/hollywoo d.html and founded by Budd Friedman, the so-called "godfather of comedy clubs." This club is considered America's premier Comedy Showcase & Restaurant.

At this website you can sign up for tickets, book a group of from 20-400 people, get fundraisers information, or book a comic.

The Hollywood Improv also offers stand-up comedy classes.

For a schedule of the "best and the brightest" comedians, go to their website. The struggling comics (the "just so who is this..." guy or gal? types) play there, as well as the big names. Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Jay Leno, Ray Romano, George Lopez, Brett Butler, Dave Chapelle, Dr. Ken Jeong (http://www.drken.net), Michael Richard (Kramer on "Seinfeld.") There's even a Rabbi turned comic that's made a name for himself doing comedy shtick at the Hollywood Improv. Also, you can be put on their mailing list to receive comedy specials news.

For more information on Hollywood Improv go to:

Hollywood Improv
8162 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90046
PH: 323.651.2583, ext. 160
Fax: 323.655.9050

Many of these comedy clubs have an open mic for amateur comedians. You should check the internet for the names of these comedy clubs and make a list of them. Find out what you should do to participate in open mic.

You should also video tape your comedy routines and send to other comedy clubs and comedy TV shows.

You should also learn stand-up comedy writing, so that you can write your own stand-up comedy. The following websites offer classes in stand-up comedy writing and links to information on comedy writing:
http://www.writingclasses.com/ cgi-bin/redirect.cgi?src=202
http://www.suite101.com/links. cfm/comedy_writing
http://www.nfib.com/object/268 1325.html (The Writer's Village; variety of comedy wriring courses online)

But if you want to be a stand-up comedian, you need to know what is stand-up comedy? Stand-up comedy is informal comedy that can be in comedy clubs, theatres, television shows, colleges & universities, etc. The comedy routine is generally fast-paced and consists of humorous stories, a string of jokes, or one-liners. Comedians can do "bits" or "monologues, routines, acts." For a discussion of stand-up comedy and its history from vaudeville to Yiddish theater to circus clown routines go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S tand-up_comedy

There are many books on stand-up comedy. These are the recommended books:

Stand-Up Comedy: The Book
http://www.comedyworkshops.com /book.html

The Comedy Bible: From Stand-Up to Sit-com
Amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirec t-home/financialandb-20

That's Comedy! Joke Book
http://hop.clickbank.net/?toys tore44/rizon

Other recommended websites:

http://www.comedyinstitute.com (Stand-up comedy workshops)

http://www.learnimprov.com (improvisational comedy)

http://www.rooftopsessions.com /ComedyTips.htm (comedy writing tips)
http://www.ehow.com/how_8540_w rite-comedy.html (how to write comedy)

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site /syws/standup/standup2.html
http://www.stand-upcomedy.com/ article2.htm

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