I Want to Be a Comedy Actor Where Do I Start?

4. Stick to the script Comedy is all about rhythm, timing, and pace, and it’s your job as a comedic actor to identify those things in each and every piece of scripted comedy you perform. Comedy, when done right, is like a good song. Just as a musician plays the melody as composed, a comedic actor must stick to the script. That means following the words exactly as written. Don’t add or drop words or attach handles to the beginnings of sentences, like “Look,” “I mean,” “Well,” and “So.” And don’t change the punctuation! Always remember that a period is not just the end of a sentence; it’s the end of a thought. Blowing past it or changing it to a question mark will not only change the intention of the line but also the “music” in the dialogue.

Disclaimer: When performing comedy, you have to enjoy what you’re doing. You need to do your homework, find your character, perfect your technique, commit to the text, then go into class, an audition, or a job and have fun. Take some risks. Be confident and bring on the funny! If you’re having fun, you’ll feel a surge of energy inside you that will bring out your best, most positive, most energized performance. It will get you to the “louder, faster, funnier” that defines comedy. And if you’re having fun, the casting director, the writer, the producer, and ultimately the audience will have fun with you, and that will help you become a successful comedy actor.

April 6, 2025 | 5:29 am