Comedian

Comedians are entertainers who use various techniques to make an audience laugh. This sounds like a very easy task, but comedians have to put a lot of time and effort into the preparation of their assignments.

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Good comedians succeed in making people laugh without using pranks or special gimmicks. Stand-up comedy is usually performed at comedy clubs and is probably the most common type of performance. Stand-up comedians often travel and work in a variety of settings.

Comedians are similar to storytellers - they have a special ability to make their audience care about their character. Many comedians will tell a story about their own lives, evoking not only laughter but also empathy.

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Personal Requirements

• good communication and performance skills
• sense of humour and comic ability
• able to see the funny side of any situation
• strong stage personality
• able to handle disappointment
• able to keep a ‘deadpan’ face
• not showing emotion when audience does not respond

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How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

No special schooling is required

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What to Study

There is no formal training for a comedian. This career is based on skill, talent, and a lot of hard work.

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Employment

• comedy clubs
• nightclubs
• television shows
• radio programmes
• self-employment

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Further Information

National Arts Council 
66 Margaret Mcingana Street (Cnr Gwigwi Mrwebi)
Johannesburg
South Africa
Tel: 087 700 0683
www.nac.org.za

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Getting Started

• develop your communication and stage skills
• begin to see events in a humorous way
• visit comedy clubs and take note of the type of jokes audiences enjoy most

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Related Occupations

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