Product Description

This truly funny book about being funny is also a serious guide to the business of laughter and how to make it pay off. New York and Los Angeles Talent Coordinator Dave Schwensen shows how to get onstage experience and contact bookers, agents, and managers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #347151 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09-01
• Released on: 1998-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

From Library Journal
Schwensen, former talent coordinator for A&E's An Evening at the Improv, reminds us that comedy is a business and provides specific and useful advice on basic issues such as headshots, resumes, and agents. While Schwensen sensibly advises novices to be original and to work steadily at stage time, Jay Sankey's Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy (LJ 5/1/98) offers much more on the craft of performance. Nearly half of this book is devoted to brief interviews with 12 top comedians (e.g., Drew Carey, Rhonda Shear, and Rene Hicks). While Jeff Dunham observes that "comedy has taken such a nose-dive," Schwensen does not otherwise acknowledge that comedians face a shrinking stand-up industry. For strong performing arts collections.?Norman Oder, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Dave Schwensen is the owner of Dave Schwensen Entertainment, where he books talent for clubs, colleges, corporate shows, concerts, theaters, and special events. A teacher of comedy workshops, he live in Vermilion, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Great book for anyone considering Stand Up comedy!
It covers so much ground. Very useful information on both the creative and business end of the competetive field of Stand Up comedy. Dave Schwensen informs you of the ins and outs in the comedy circuit while also encouraging you to have your own voice. Great reference book. Even after I read it, I still refer to it. A veritable "manual" on Stand Up. In addition, I enjoyed very much the interviews in the back of the book with working professional comedians (Drew Carey, Jeff Foxworthy, etc.)

A book that will help you map out your career in comedy.
How To Be A Working Comic is the first book you should read before attempting a comedy career. It will show you how to get on stage, and what to do after you step off the stage. A book that is simple and easy to read and yet it covers every detail on getting a booker intrested in calling you. Dave you couldn't have made it any easer unless you went on stage for me, and gave me the paycheck. Thanks a thousand laughs.

Great for all comics!
I have been a working comic since '91 and I've read all the books. This is the most practical one yet. Real world information that any comic can use, MC's, Features, and Headliners can all learn something from this book. If you are new, this is a MUST HAVE book!