The Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School is coming up to our tenth year of coaching stand-up comedy, and one thing we know for sure, graduates are super keen to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, ASAP. But are they ready? Performing a ‘tight five‘ at a Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School graduation is one thing. Performing over multiple nights for 20 to 60 minutes in front of random punters is another.
So before you jump in the deep end and committing to performing at the Melbourrne International Comedy Festival (MICF), ask your self these questions.
1. Have you clocked up the hours?
If you’re serious about comedy, there’s no replacement for time on stage. Hard Knock Knocks graduate Gavin Sempel hit 300 open mic gigs in two years before competing in the Victorian heat of Raw Comedy in 2018—and winning it. This level of dedication wasn’t just about stage time; it was about sharpening his material, experimenting with new bits, and, crucially, handling different audiences. So, have you been consistently performing and refining your act? There’s a reason they call it paying your dues, and if you haven’t put in the hours, the festival crowd will know.
2. Do you have a sizeable social media following?
Building an audience takes more than just talent; it takes strategy. Comedian and social media influencer Lewis Spears spent two years crafting an ‘online to offline‘ strategy via YouTube before he sold his first ticket. Today, his loyal following fills seats wherever he performs. The harsh truth is that comedy festivals are competitive, and a built-in audience can make a huge difference. If you haven’t yet nurtured a following, start posting, engaging, and testing out ideas on social media now. By the time you’re ready for a festival, you’ll have a solid fanbase eager to see you perform live.
3. Can you tap into another, non-comedy audience?
One of the most powerful tools in a comedian’s arsenal is having a niche. The late, beloved Tony Knight found success by tapping into his dog-training audience. As a stand-up comedian and dog trainer, his shows were packed with fans who knew him from his other career and had a good sense of humour. It might sound unconventional, but finding an audience beyond the usual comedy crowd can be a game-changer, especially at large festivals like Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where thousands of shows vie for attention.
4. Can you buddy-up with other comedians?
Doing a full festival show—45 minutes to an hour of material—is no small feat, especially for someone new to comedy. At Hard Knock Knocks, we train our students to deliver a ‘tight five‘, equivalent to about 20 solid jokes, with reactions every 15 seconds. Stretching that out to an hour? That’s a big ask for any comedian, let alone someone fresh from the graduation stage. A good way to ease into it is by teaming up with other comedians to create a shared show. It lessens the pressure on each performer and allows you to deliver your best material in a shorter timeframe.
5. Are you comfortable losing money?
Let’s be honest, comedy festivals aren’t cheap. Between registration, insurance, venue hire, marketing, production costs, and perhaps even a few well-placed online ads, expenses can quickly add up. For many first-timers, festival shows end up costing more than they bring in. Consider it an investment in your comedy career. Even seasoned comedians sometimes operate at a loss but see the value in the exposure, networking, and experience. Before jumping in, make sure you’re financially ready to potentially lose money—and remember, the payoff may come later in career opportunities, not cash.
Now, if you’ve asked yourself these five questions, and you’ve said ‘yes’ to most, then there’s nothing stopping you from signing up to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Good luck!