--- title: "How to Make Your Comedy Show Pay: A Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to a ticketed comedy show that pays: venue splits and rents in the venues" url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-show-that-pays.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Your own shows · stop 3 of 5 # A ticketed room that pays: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer A ticketed room pays when, after every fee, the night covers the comics’ pay, the venue, the promotion and the other costs. Rooms offer different deals: Q.E.D. Astoria publishes a ticket split with a first-dollar guarantee, the Lincoln Lodge a flat rent with the ticket sales after it yours. Work each one out as arithmetic, get it in writing, and settle every night on a sheet. - **15** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **4** 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 try the towns nearby 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… ### Independent showrunner - Your show runs regularly, and a crowd comes back for it. - You’ve settled nights with a venue, and you want the numbers to work every time, not now and then. - You pay the comics, the venue and the promotion, and you want what’s left to be yours. - You’re weighing a new deal, room or ticket price, and want to do the arithmetic first. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [try the towns nearby](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-show-nearby-towns.html) These are the tests for the next stop, from its buyers’ own published rules where one exists. Tick each one when it’s true for you. Your show has a record another town can check: Lexy’s Comedy Club asks producers with a proven show for links to previous shows, promo reels from the production and attendance and ticket sales averages. [Lexy’s Comedy Club ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) You have a high-quality video of a recent five-minute set, and real credits: Henceforth Comedy in Cleveland asks for both, and says open mics and contests don’t count. [Henceforth Comedy ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) Your numbers still work when the travel is yours: Comic Cure’s FAQ says travel, lodging and food are the performer’s own responsibility. [Comic Cure ↗](https://comiccure.com/comic-signup) Your show has paid for itself at home, night after night. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 15 steps in 5 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. #### Work the night’s numbers From the Career Field Manual: Produce your own night and Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233, 258–289 and 234–289. 1. Produce your own night · produce-03 #### Calculate seats, average ticket, fees and break-even Price the night at the room’s real capacity and a realistic crowd: the face price, the platform’s fees, the venue’s share, the comics’ pay and the promotion. **Done when** A scenario that can withstand low sales. [Run the Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) [Ticket platforms and their fees →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-show-ticket-sales.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Get paid. Keep records. · money-07 #### Understand percentage-of-door and guarantee terms Write the deal as arithmetic: a percentage of what, after which fees, and who guarantees what. Q.E.D. Astoria, for one, publishes its first-dollar guarantee by night. **Done when** Your own worked example with assumptions. [Door deal or guarantee →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-door-deal-vs-guarantee.html) The questions to ask → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Get paid. Keep records. · money-04 #### Calculate every gig’s expected net before accepting **Done when** Fee minus realistic expenses, before taxes. [The Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Put the deal on paper From the Career Field Manual: Produce your own night, Get paid. Keep records. and Choose help when it solves a problem. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233, 258–289, 234–289 and 290–313. 4. Produce your own night · produce-04 #### Get the venue and performer terms in writing **Done when** Who sells, refunds, markets and settles. The deal, confirmed by email → [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 5. Get paid. Keep records. · money-01 #### Confirm the buyer, slot, set length and fee in writing You’re the buyer now: give each comic the slot, the minutes and the fee in writing, as you’d want them given to you. **Done when** A saved agreement or confirmation. [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 6. Get paid. Keep records. · money-03 #### Know the payment date, payment method and paperwork **Done when** Who owes you what and by when. [How comedians get paid →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-how-comedians-get-paid.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-06 #### Get suitable professional advice for consequential contracts **Done when** Lawyer or accountant engaged when needed. [An attorney, an accountant or a business manager →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-publicist-attorney-business-manager.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Settle every night From the Career Field Manual: Produce your own night, Turn one good night into a return and Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233, 258–289, 348–366, 383–399, 435–455 and 234–289. 8. Produce your own night · produce-07 #### Run the show and account for every expense One sheet, agreed the night of: paid tickets, comps, refunds, fees, the venue’s share, each comic’s pay and what’s left. **Done when** Real settlement with ticket and cost totals. The settlement sheet → [What a settlement sheet holds →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-settlement-sheet.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. 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. [On the night: settle, count, get paid →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#night) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Get paid. Keep records. · money-08 #### Know your follow-up process for late payment **Done when** A dated, factual escalation sequence. [They didn’t pay: facts first, then steps →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#stiffed) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Keep the books From the Career Field Manual: Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 234–289. 11. Get paid. Keep records. · money-05 #### Create a simple invoice and expense-recording system **Done when** Sample invoice and current expense ledger. [Income, expenses and set-asides →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-taxes-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Get paid. Keep records. · money-06 #### Separate business money and planned tax reserves Keep the show’s money apart from your own, and set some aside for taxes; an accountant can tell you how much. **Done when** A documented money-handling routine. [What to set aside →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-taxes-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Decide from the results From the Career Field Manual: Turn one good night into a return, Produce your own night and Build a career you can keep. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 348–366, 383–399, 435–455, 197–233, 258–289 and 400–455. 13. Turn one good night into a return · audience-05 #### Compare promotion activity with actual city ticket sales Put each night’s paid count beside what you spent to promote it, and keep doing what sold tickets. **Done when** A basic city-level result log. [After the show: the scorecard →](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 14. Produce your own night · produce-08 #### Decide whether to repeat the show from actual results **Done when** A written go/no-go decision. [Your own night →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#residency) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Build a career you can keep · sustain-02 #### Identify one recurring source of weak decisions or wasted money **Done when** A change you can test next quarter. [Your passport: the yearly review →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Read the deal as arithmetic** Know the percentage, and the money it’s a percentage of. [Door deal or guarantee →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-door-deal-vs-guarantee.html) - **Settle on one sheet** A sheet both sides can check with a calculator ends the night cleanly. [The settlement sheet →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-settlement-sheet.html) - **Know your fees** The platform’s fees and the buyer’s checkout total change what a ticket is worth. [Ticket sales →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-show-ticket-sales.html) - **Run the numbers before the date** Seats, price, fees and costs, worked out before you say yes. [The Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) - **Sell merch** A table after the show can add to what the night leaves you. [The merch table →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-merch-table.html) - **Keep a standing night** A regular date lets the room and the crowd plan on you. [Your own night →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#residency) 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. - **Settle every night** One sheet, the night of: paid, comps, fees, the venue’s share, each comic’s pay and what’s left. - **Pay the comics promptly** Pay what you promised, when you promised it, and keep the record. - **Watch the pace** Check ticket sales each week before a show, not only on the day. - **Log the money** Receipts in, income logged, and the show’s money kept apart from your own. - **Compare forecast and result** Put each night’s numbers beside the budget you made for it. - **Look after the room** Thank the venue’s staff, and give the room a reason to want the next date. 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 venue’s published producer terms ### Q.E.D. Astoria Its baseline split, by night: the first $50 (weekend matinees), $75 (Sunday to Thursday evenings) or $125 (Friday and Saturday nights) goes to the venue, the rest is split 50/50, and producers guarantee that first amount. - The first $125 in ticket sales goes to Q.E.D. The remainder is split 50/50. - Producers guarantee the 1st $125 in sales. - You will not owe any money to QED unless you don't meet the ticket guarantee [Q.E.D. Astoria’s page ↗](https://qedastoria.com/pages/producing) · checked 10 November 2026 A venue’s published producer terms ### The Lincoln Lodge A flat rent instead of a split: past the rent, the ticket sales are the producer’s. - we offer a flat rent rate and you keep 100% of ticket sales after that - We have a 40-, 50-, and 110-seat theater available to rent 6 days per week. [The Lincoln Lodge’s page ↗](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2qX-3_Bt4NDg4WWobqCyAkKx0pFJKpSZrk-L4HLxisxf-WQ/viewform) · checked 10 November 2026 Government guidance ### The IRS on gig work Keep records and receipts through the year, and keep a record of the money you receive. - Collect and keep your records and receipts during the year. - Save receipts of your expenses. - Keep records of money you receive from gig work and sales. [The IRS on gig work’s page ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a producer’s show 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 · Produce a show · Email #### Lexy’s Comedy Club, produce your own show For producers with a proven show concept, an established audience and a track record: a show description, promotional images, a promo reel from the actual show, links to past shows, attendance and ticket sales averages or reports, your website or EPK, and the dates you want. **Worth knowing.** It is building a permanent home in Eugene; for now its shows are pop-ups. [Its page ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Astoria, NY · Produce a show · Form #### Q.E.D. Astoria, producing a show Tell it about your show or event through the form on its page. Its baseline for new shows and producers: a ticket split with no rental or up-front costs, up to 50 tickets, generally, at a price you set; the first $50 to $125 in sales, by night, goes to Q.E.D., producers guarantee that amount, and the rest is split 50/50. **Worth knowing.** It asks its producers not to produce or regularly host other shows in Astoria within two months before or after their Q.E.D. show. [Its page ↗](https://qedastoria.com/pages/producing) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Chicago, IL · Produce a show · Form #### The Lincoln Lodge, show submissions Its show submission form, linked from its own site: what the show is and why it’s unique, a one-off or a regular run, the theater size you want and your availability. Its theaters rent at a flat rate, and you keep the ticket sales after that. **Worth knowing.** Its form says that for now it has room only for monthly regular runs, not weekly or daily shows. [Its page ↗](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2qX-3_Bt4NDg4WWobqCyAkKx0pFJKpSZrk-L4HLxisxf-WQ/viewform) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Burbank, CA · Produce a show · Form #### Flappers, independent producers A proposal for a show you produce: the concept, the room you want, your audience and your marketing plan. **Worth knowing.** The form asks whether you can buy $200 worth of tickets to hold the space: know the terms before you agree. [Its page ↗](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6uMEmqhr-Y5PNwJzGKC_bn8dutqbIBNCumMhGlJFBgTT7Ig/viewform) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### Settle the night on paper The figures here are the venues’ own: Q.E.D. Astoria’s first $50 to $125 in sales by night, then a 50/50 split; the Lincoln Lodge’s flat rent, with the ticket sales after it yours. For any other room, ask, and get the arithmetic in writing. For tax questions, get professional advice. **On the settlement sheet** - Capacity, paid tickets, comps and refunds - Gross ticket sales, and the platform’s fees - The venue’s share or rent, as the deal defines it - Each comic’s pay, as promised - Promotion, sound, staff and other costs - What’s left, and who signed off on it - When each person is paid, and how Questions to ask before you agree a deal · [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 show’s name The venue The venue’s contact The show’s date The split, rent or guarantee, as arithmetic Who sells, at what price, and the fees How many comps, and who holds them What the room provides When and how you settle What happens if it’s cancelled The comic’s name Their pay How you paid them The dates you’re booking ### The deal, confirmed by email ``` Subject: [Your show's name] at [The venue]: our terms Hi [The venue's contact], Thank you for today. So we both have it in writing, here's what we agreed for [Your show's name] on [The show's date]: The money: [The split, rent or guarantee, as arithmetic] Tickets: [Who sells, at what price, and the fees] Comps and guest list: [How many comps, and who holds them] The room provides: [What the room provides] Settlement: [When and how you settle] If the show is cancelled: [What happens if it's cancelled] If I've got any of it wrong, tell me and I'll correct it. Thank you, [Your name] ``` ### The settlement sheet ``` [Your show's name] at [The venue], [The show's date] Capacity: Ticket price: Paid tickets: Comps and guest list: Refunds: Gross ticket sales: Ticket fees: The venue's share or rent: Comics' pay: Promotion and other costs: Left over: Agreed by [Your name] and [The venue's contact], the night of the show. ``` ### The comic’s pay note ``` Hi [The comic's name], Thank you for [Your show's name] on [The show's date]. Your pay, [Their pay], went by [How you paid them] today. I'd love to have you back. The dates I'm booking: [The dates you're booking] [Your name] ``` ### Questions to ask before you agree a deal ``` 1. Is the split on gross ticket sales, or after the ticket fees? 2. Is there a guarantee or a minimum, and who covers it if sales fall short? 3. Who pays the platform's fees: the buyer, or the show? 4. How many comps, and do they count toward the guarantee? 5. Who pays for sound, a door person and staff? 6. When and how do we settle, and who signs the sheet? 7. What happens to tickets already sold if the show is cancelled? 8. Can the show keep the same night each month? ``` 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 deal in writing that says what the money is a percentage of A settlement sheet for each show, agreed with the venue The comics paid what you promised, on time, each show Your records: income, receipts, and the show’s money kept apart A run of shows where the night covered every cost, the forecast beside the result Your status ### A ticketed room that pays 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 [Your own shows · Leave home **Try the towns nearby** Learn each market with small trips that pay for themselves.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-show-nearby-towns.html) [Club circuit · Close the room **Headline a full show** The headline slot carries more risk and more responsibility.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-headliner.html) ## Go deeper - [Door deal or guarantee? How comedy show deals work](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-door-deal-vs-guarantee.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Chapter 12, Contracts and the Business](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) Settlement sheets, comps and guest lists, in D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring - [What is a settlement sheet at a comedy show?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-settlement-sheet.html) Show-night arithmetic you can check with a calculator ## 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. - [Q.E.D. Astoria, producing a show ↗](https://qedastoria.com/pages/producing) A venue’s published producer terms. - [The Lincoln Lodge, show submission form ↗](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2qX-3_Bt4NDg4WWobqCyAkKx0pFJKpSZrk-L4HLxisxf-WQ/viewform) A venue’s published producer terms. - [IRS, Manage taxes for your gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Government guidance. - [Lexy’s Comedy Club, booking and opportunities ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) A club’s published booking rules. - [Henceforth Comedy, booking questions ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) A producer’s published submission rules. - [Comic Cure, comic signup ↗](https://comiccure.com/comic-signup) A producer’s published submission rules. - [Lexy’s Comedy Club, produce your own show ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Flappers, independent producers ↗](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6uMEmqhr-Y5PNwJzGKC_bn8dutqbIBNCumMhGlJFBgTT7Ig/viewform) 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): your own shows, stop 3 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 how door deals, guarantees and splits work, read [Door deal or guarantee? How comedy show deals work](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-door-deal-vs-guarantee.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)