A practical, hands-on guide for actors and performers, written by an experienced stand-up comic. Covers writing, character, delivery, performance, set structure, audiences, professional work and includes helpful tips.

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. Much more than a how-to manual Zen andthe Art of Stand-Up Comedy is the most detailed and comprehensive book on the subject to date.