--- title: "How to Become a Comedy Headliner: A Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to headlining comedy clubs: the hour to build, what clubs ask a headliner for in their own words, where to send it, and the deal in writing." url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-headliner.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Club circuit · stop 4 of 5 # Headlining a full show: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer The headliner closes the show, and the room has sold its audience on you finishing it strong. Build the hour in real rooms, tape it whole, count the people who come for you, and get each deal in writing. - **17** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **6** places to send it - **4** notes ready to send By D.O.C. Editorial · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) ## This roadmap, in five parts Your roadmap ## From here to a regular in the region’s clubs Where you are, the tests for the next stop, and the steps between, in the order most comics take them. The steps are the Career Field Manual's; mark each one as you go, and the day goes in your passport. You’re here if… ### Headliner: closing the show - You’ve featured in clubs, and a headliner or booker will vouch for you. - You have 45 minutes or more that hold a paying room, in an order you’ve tested. - You know, roughly, who comes out for you in the towns you’ve played. - The next booking you want is the last slot of the night, with your name at the top of the bill. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [a regular in the region’s clubs](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-regional-club-circuit.html) These are the tests the next stop’s buyers set in their own published rules. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You keep an avails list a year ahead: the Loony Bin asks for your current avails, the clubs and venues you’re working and in what position, for the next 12 months. [The Loony Bin, Tulsa ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) You can list the full-week clubs you’ve headlined. The Loony Bin asks for the full-week clubs you’ve worked in the position you’re applying for. [The Loony Bin, Tulsa ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) A club company has you on its avails list: BARK Entertainment adds the comics it passes to an avails email, sent at least once a quarter, its only way to submit for dates. [BARK Entertainment ↗](https://barkentertainment.wufoo.com/forms/qlehqqh0c279y1/) You know what a headline date leaves you after the road, from your own records. A club that booked you to headline has booked you again. 0 of 5 true ### The playbook 17 steps in 4 parts, from the Career Field Manual. Each has its “done when”, a D.O.C. tool for it, and your status, note and target date; star up to twelve for your 90-day plan. #### Build the hour From the Career Field Manual: Grow the act without padding, Host, feature and headline and Build a repetition habit. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 51–70, 115–131, 435–455, 96–114 and 415–434. 1. Grow the act without padding · set-07 #### Build forty-five minutes with a deliberate sequence **Done when** Audience-tested act, not just a timed draft. [Build an hour →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-build-an-hour.html) [Log the set in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Grow the act without padding · set-08 #### Build and test an hour before promising an hour Lexy’s says short clips and 5–20 minute sets aren’t enough to judge a headliner. Test the full hour in real rooms before you offer it. **Done when** A full headline-length performance in a real room. [Getting to the Magical Hour →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#ladder) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Host, feature and headline · roles-07 #### Create a 45/60-minute headline set and alternative chunks **Done when** Recorded versions and audience notes. [Read the tape in Comic Critique →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/critique.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 4. Build a repetition habit · reps-08 #### Keep one productive open mic even after paid gigs begin **Done when** A continuing place to test new work. [Open mics near you →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### The headliner’s proof From the Career Field Manual: Assemble booking proof and Host, feature and headline. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–173, 115–131 and 435–455. 5. Assemble booking proof · package-04 #### Record an uninterrupted live sample set The Loony Bin books from full-length, unedited video of a 45-minute set, and Lexy’s asks for 45–60 minutes: tape the whole show, not the best half. **Done when** A clip showing what a buyer can expect. [Set up the tape: Stage Time’s Tech tab →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#tech) [Your headliner reel →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Assemble booking proof · package-06 #### List your proven set lengths accurately **Done when** Lengths you can deliver in real rooms. [Set lengths by spot →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-set-lengths.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Assemble booking proof · package-07 #### Record recent rooms, shows and dates with references **Done when** A verifiable performance history. [Your log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 8. Assemble booking proof · package-08 #### Build a one-link electronic press kit **Done when** Accessible bio, clips and contact information. [What a booker needs from an EPK →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-get-booked-at-comedy-clubs.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. Host, feature and headline · roles-05 #### Gather two references from rooms that booked you **Done when** Permission to share each reference. [Why clubs rebook comics →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-why-clubs-rebook-comics.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Know your draw From the Career Field Manual: Turn one good night into a return. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 348–366, 383–399 and 435–455. 10. Turn one good night into a return · audience-01 #### Publish accurate upcoming dates with official ticket links **Done when** A date page with no phantom ticket links. [Your dates on your own site →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tour-dates-widget.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Turn one good night into a return · audience-03 #### Build an opt-in email list with an unsubscribe path **Done when** A consent-based signup process. [Why an email list →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-email-list-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Turn one good night into a return · audience-05 #### Compare promotion activity with actual city ticket sales Write down the tickets each town really sold for you. Rooms booking a headliner ask whether people will come. **Done when** A basic city-level result log. [Grow ticket sales, city by city →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-grow-ticket-sales.html) [City by City →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-tour-planner.html#after) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 13. Turn one good night into a return · audience-06 #### Ask a venue how many people came and who handled presales **Done when** Actual sales or attendee data, where shared. [A following that buys tickets →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-following-that-buys-tickets.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Pitch, advance and settle From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms, Route the road, not the poster and Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196, 197–233, 314–347 and 234–289. 14. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-04 #### Tailor your clip and message to each buyer Say you’re submitting to headline, send the full unedited set at that room’s length, give your avails, and name the rooms you’ve headlined. **Done when** Three concise, different pitches. The submission email → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Route the road, not the poster · road-07 #### Check the room’s technical needs and advance contacts Advance each date before the day: show times, arrival, lineup, lodging, travel, promotion, merch and payment. **Done when** Show advance and load-in instructions. The advance email → [Riders and advancing a show →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-rider.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 16. Get paid. Keep records. · money-01 #### Confirm the buyer, slot, set length and fee in writing **Done when** A saved agreement or confirmation. [Get the deal in writing →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 17. Get paid. Keep records. · money-07 #### Understand percentage-of-door and guarantee terms Work a door deal and a guarantee through with your own numbers before you sign either. **Done when** Your own worked example with assumptions. [Door deal or guarantee →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-door-deal-vs-guarantee.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Build demand where you play** People who come to see you make you easy to book again. [A following that buys tickets →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-following-that-buys-tickets.html) - **Keep a list of your own** An email list reaches the people who chose to hear from you. [Why an email list →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-email-list-for-comedians.html) - **Publish your dates** One page of real dates with official ticket links. [Your dates on your own site →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tour-dates-widget.html) - **Sell at the table** Merch after the show can help a headline weekend pay. [Run a merch table →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-merch-table.html) - **Look after the opener** Local hosts and features are colleagues who know the town. [The headliner’s job →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-headliner.html) - **Move up when the market says so** Bigger rooms follow the tickets. [Moving up to theaters →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-move-up-to-theaters.html) Each week ## Your weekly rhythm here Habits, not a timetable: the atlas has no stopwatch. Keep these going, and the proof for this stop builds up week by week. - **Run the hour** Where a room gives you the time, do the whole headline set, in order, and log what held. - **Keep writing** Write and test new minutes at a mic, so the hour keeps moving. - **Count the room** After each headline date, write down how many came, and how many came for you. - **Advance the next date** Confirm the next date’s times, lineup, lodging and pay before the week of the show. - **Look after the openers** Tell the host and feature your set length and introduction ahead of time, and thank them after. - **Send one, follow up one** Send one headline submission the way a room asks, and follow up on one, on its own timetable. What buyers check ## In their own words Each buyer's published rule, quoted from its own page, checked on 10 November 2026. They differ, so send each one what its page asks for, and read the page again before you send. A club’s published booking rules ### Lexy’s Comedy Club Headlining is for comics with an established body of work and a 45–60 minute set, shown in a clip of that length, with a bio, a headshot, a website or EPK and your dates. Short clips and reels aren’t enough to judge a headliner. - Headlining opportunities are reserved for comedians with an established body of work and enough material to perform a 45–60 minute headlining set. - Short clips, individual jokes, social media reels, or 5–20 minute sets are not sufficient for headlining consideration. - We want to see the material you would actually bring to a full-length headlining performance. [Lexy’s Comedy Club’s page ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published booking rules ### The Loony Bin, Tulsa Full-length, unedited video of a 45-minute set for headline consideration, and the full-week clubs you’ve headlined. - We book from full length, unedited set video. - 45 minute set for headline consideration [The Loony Bin, Tulsa’s page ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) · checked 10 November 2026 A producer’s published submission rules ### Funny Girl Events One continuous take of a 45-minute headline set that starts with you, with clear sound and light and nothing explicit. - Headliner 45 minutes - Make sure the video is a continuous shot and it's not chopped up and pieced together. - The video should start with you, not a host bringing you up. [Funny Girl Events’s page ↗](https://www.funnygirlevents.com/submission.html) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a headliner gets in, each checked on 10 November 2026. Save one to your booking desk to keep its status, a follow-up date and a note. [62 places in all, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) Published route Eugene, OR · Headline · Email #### Lexy’s Comedy Club, headliners Headlining is for comics with an established body of work and a 45–60 minute set; its page lists what to send for each kind of opportunity. [Its page ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Tulsa, OK · Club spots · Email #### The Loony Bin Email a full-length, unedited set: 15 minutes for MC, 30 for feature, 45 for headliner. With it: the full-week clubs you’ve worked in that position, your avails for the next 12 months, a bio and headshot or press pack, any recommendations, your phone and email, and your social media. **Worth knowing.** It won’t download a program or sign up to a service to watch a video, and it gets in touch only if your act is a match. [Its page ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Lafayette, LA · Club spots · Form #### Lafayette Comedy A 5–10 minute stand-up video, not set to private, the role you want (host, opener, feature, headliner) and references who can vouch for you. Its own examples of set lengths: a feature 10–25 minutes. **Worth knowing.** It mostly brings in national touring comics; the showcases are where it books others. [Its page ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Tulsa, OK · Club spots · Form #### Bricktown Comedy Club The club’s contact page links BARK Entertainment’s comic submission form, shared by its clubs: choose Bricktown Comedy Club, Tulsa, and the positions you want (MC, showcase, feature, headliner), with a video (5 minutes recommended), the clubs you’ve worked in the past 12 months and any referrals from comics who work for it. **Worth knowing.** Once you’re passed, you go on its avails email, sent at least once a quarter: the only way to submit for dates. It may not answer every submission, and it welcomes new video every six months. [Its page ↗](https://barkentertainment.wufoo.com/forms/qlehqqh0c279y1/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Oklahoma City, OK · Club spots · Form #### Bricktown Comedy Club The club’s contact page links BARK Entertainment’s comic submission form, shared by its clubs: choose Bricktown Comedy Club, Oklahoma City, and the positions you want (MC, showcase, feature, headliner), with a video (5 minutes recommended), the clubs you’ve worked in the past 12 months and any referrals from comics who work for it. **Worth knowing.** Once you’re passed, you go on its avails email, sent at least once a quarter: the only way to submit for dates. It may not answer every submission, and it welcomes new video every six months. [Its page ↗](https://barkentertainment.wufoo.com/forms/qlehqqh0c279y1/) Checked 10 November 2026 Seasonal: check first Durango, CO · Club spots · Form #### Durango Comedy Its 2026 performer form, for openers (5 minutes) to headliners (up to 60) and hosts; national and non-regional headliners are booked by invitation only. **Worth knowing.** A 2026 form: check that it’s still taking names before you send. [Its page ↗](https://form.jotform.com/252975450600052) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### Ask, and get it in writing None of the buyers on this page publishes what it pays a headliner, so this page gives no figure. A headline deal may be a flat fee, a guarantee or a share of the door: ask which, and get it in writing. **In writing, before you go** - The dates, the number of shows and your set length - The deal: a flat fee, a guarantee or a share of the door, and the figure - When and how you’re paid, and who settles with you - The room or condo, and who pays for travel - Merch and recording: whether you may - What the club does to promote the dates - What happens if a show is cancelled Questions to ask before you say yes · [Road Maps: the Math of a Gig, with your own numbers](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) · [Get Paid, Get Back: the deal in writing](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) · [The IRS on gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Ready to copy ## The notes to send Fill in what you know once: it fills every note below and stays on this device. Anything left blank shows in [brackets], to fill in by hand. Your details Your name Your home town The booker’s name The club Your headline set’s length, in minutes Your clip’s link The rooms you’ve headlined, as they are The dates Your SUCDb record, website or press kit Comics or clubs who will recommend you The host’s or feature’s name Your introduction, word for word Anything else they should know: a clean show, no crowd work ### The submission email ``` Subject: Headliner submission: [Your name], [Your home town] Hi [The booker's name], I'm [Your name], a stand-up from [Your home town], submitting to headline at [The club]. A full, unedited [Your headline set's length, in minutes]-minute headline set: [Your clip's link] Rooms I've headlined, as they are: [The rooms you've headlined, as they are]. My avails: [The dates]. Bio, photo and press kit: [Your SUCDb record, website or press kit] Recommendations: [Comics or clubs who will recommend you] Thank you for looking, [Your name] ``` ### The advance email ``` Subject: Advance: [Your name], [The club], [The dates] Hi [The booker's name], Looking forward to [The dates]. So we're set: 1. The show times, and when you'd like me there? 2. Who's hosting and featuring? 3. My set is [Your headline set's length, in minutes] minutes: is that right for each show? 4. The content rule for these shows? 5. The room or condo, for which nights, and travel? 6. Merch: may I sell, and where? 7. Payment: when, and how? Thank you, [Your name] ``` ### The note to the host and feature ``` Hi [The host's or feature's name], I'm headlining [The club] on [The dates], and I'm glad we're on together. A few things ahead of time: - My introduction: [Your introduction, word for word] - I'm doing [Your headline set's length, in minutes] minutes. - [Anything else they should know: a clean show, no crowd work] If you'd like anything from me, just say. See you there, [Your name] ``` ### Questions to ask before you say yes ``` 1. How many shows, which nights, and how long is my set? 2. Is the deal a flat fee, a guarantee or a share of the door, and what's the figure? 3. When and how am I paid, and who settles with me? 4. Is there a room or a condo, and for which nights? Who pays for travel? 5. What does the club do to promote the dates, and what would it like from me? 6. Who's on the lineup with me? 7. May I sell merch, and may I record my set? 8. What happens if a show is cancelled? ``` Your proof ## Proof for your passport Tick each piece when you have it: the day goes in your passport with it. The passport keeps your whole career's record on this device, to download, print and review once a year. The evidence ### This stop is done when you have A full, unedited headline-length tape, with a link that opens for anyone Headline dates in your log, with the room, your set length and how many came A record of the tickets you’ve really sold, town by town A booker or club who will vouch for your headline work A confirmed deal for each headline date, kept with what you were paid Your status ### Headline a full show A link to your proof: a tape, a booking, a review Your private note **On your record** Nothing yet: your status changes and ticks appear here, each with its day. [Your whole passport: the timeline, your booking desk, your 90-day plan, the printable career record, the yearly review and the cloud copy →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) Saved in this browser ## Next stops [Club circuit · Rebook **A regular in the region’s clubs** Repeat bookings in more than one town make this a business.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-regional-club-circuit.html) [Your own shows · Make it pay **A ticketed room that pays** Profit, a good night for the audience, and a show you can run again: all three count.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-show-that-pays.html) ## Go deeper - [What does a comedy headliner do?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-headliner.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [The new headliner’s reading path](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html#bk-s6) In D.O.C.’s companion book: building an hour, the headliner’s responsibilities in Chapter 6, Host, Feature, Headliner, your headliner reel and who books headliners - [Mike Birbiglia: When the Jokes Add Up to a Story](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/study-mike-birbiglia.html) The comic study: material that builds into a longer whole ## Sources The buyers' rules are quoted from each buyer's own page, checked on 10 November 2026. A buyer can change its rules at any time, so read its page before you send anything. - [Lexy’s Comedy Club, booking and opportunities ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) A club’s published booking rules. - [The Loony Bin, Tulsa: comedian booking information ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) A club’s published booking rules. - [Funny Girl Events, submissions ↗](https://www.funnygirlevents.com/submission.html) A producer’s published submission rules. - [BARK Entertainment, comic submission form ↗](https://barkentertainment.wufoo.com/forms/qlehqqh0c279y1/) A club company’s published submission form. - [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Bricktown Comedy Club ↗](https://barkentertainment.wufoo.com/forms/qlehqqh0c279y1/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Bricktown Comedy Club ↗](https://barkentertainment.wufoo.com/forms/qlehqqh0c279y1/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Durango Comedy ↗](https://form.jotform.com/252975450600052) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [The D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) The playbook's book topics, matched to the book's contents on 10 November 2026. ## About this roadmap **By D.O.C. Editorial.** This is one stop of [the Stand-Up Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html): club circuit, stop 4 of 5. It's a way to plan, not a promise of bookings: it gives no expected years, its only figures are the ones buyers and venues publish on their own pages, and the buyers' rules are theirs. For what a headliner does, read [What does a comedy headliner do?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-headliner.html). Updated 10 November 2026 · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) · [Comic's Corner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tools-for-comedians.html) · [Privacy](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/privacy.html)