Photo: Eddie PerfectPhoto Credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival / Jim Lee Photo So how do you get to perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) in 2026? Is it invite only? Do you need to know the mayor? Is a bribe required? The good news for Australians and New Zealanders is that anyone can perform – without a bribe. …
If you’re a fresh open mic comedian, perhaps one’s that just graduated from the Hard Knock Knocks Comedy School, then creating an open mic comedy night is one of the best ways to get guaranteed and intense stage time. You can also trade stage time with other comedy room runners to get a spot on their night. And if you’re …
Ricky Gervais didn’t try stand-up comedy until he was 37. Rodger Dangerfield was 42. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I too old to become a stand-up comedian?” the answer is simply “absolutely not”. Comedy isn’t only a young person’s game. Life experience often makes for richer material and a deeper connection with audiences. Two shining examples of this are …
The comedy industry was shaken in December 2024 when The Junkyard, a well-known comedy management agency, suddenly closed its doors. Rising stars Aaron Chen and Sam Campbell were among the many comedians left out of pocket, highlighting the financial and professional risks performers face when managing their careers. This event raises an important question for comedians, “should you seek representation, …
If you want to book a comedian for your corporate event, sports or RSL club then here’s how: 1. Go Direct The cheapest, and sometimes easiest way to book a comedian is go direct. A few professioanl comedians management their own website and answer messages and emails directly. Jack Levi, aka Elliot Goblet, is one such professional comedian who can …
The fastest way to book a stand-up comedian in Melbourne is through the mobile app, Gigme. Available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play for Android phones, Gigme allows you to find, book and pay for a comedian directly – with no middleman. You can even chat with the comedian directly and negotiate the fee. Some of Australia’s funniest comedian …
There’s no quick answer to this question. In short, “It depends.” Facebook and Instagram ads can be a powerful tool to sell tickets for your comedy show, but they’re not a guaranteed success. Before you commit your hard-earned cash, consider these five important factors: 1. Is this for a festival or one off show? Timing plays a huge role in …
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 …
What do Tim Urban, Sir Ken Robinson and Amy Cuddy all have in common. First, they are the most watched presenters on TED, having each been watched by over 60 million! And second, they all include humour in their presentations. And since close to 50,000 talks have been given at 10,000 events since TED launched in 2009, it’s fair to …
