Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy

Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy
by Jay Sankey

Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy
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Book Summary Information

Author: Jay Sankey
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1998-04-23
ISBN: 0878300740
Number of pages: 214
Publisher: Routledge/Theatre Arts Books

Book Reviews of Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy

Book Review: A Great Book for the aspiring and seasoned Standup
Summary: 5 Stars

This is indeed an excellent read and FULL of great insights about nearly every aspect of Standup comedy (Writing, Performance, Delivery, The Audience, Set development, etc).

The author gives you great insight into both the "Art" and "Science" of standup. You can tell that he has a wealth of experience and shares it in a fun, easy to read kind of way.

I think if an aspiring Standup combines this book with Judy Carter's "The Comedy Bible" they will greatly shorten their learning curve into many aspects of Standup Comedy (of course this will have combined with actually getting up on stage a bunch of times).

Summary of Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy

The sound of one hand clapping may be the performer's worst nightmare. In this engaging and disarmingly frank book, comic Jay Sankey spills the beans, explaining not only how to write and perform stand-up comedy, but how to improve and perfect your work.

This unique insider's look explores the finer points of stand-up comedy, including sources for ideas and writing the jokes; taking the stage, delivery and timing; dealing with nerves; breaking in new material;relating to the audience; marketing and self-promotion; and much more. Sankey enriches the understanding of anyone who is thinking about a career in this profession. Much more than a how-to manual, Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy is the most detailed and comprehensive book on the topic to date. It is an invaluable reference tool for amateurs and professionals, a thought-provoking look at performance art, and a source of inspiration for anyone seeking artistic growth.

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