--- title: "Comedy Showcase Spots: A Comic's Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to your first booked spot that isn" url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-showcase-spots.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · The common start · stop 4 of 5 # A booked spot that isn’t a mic: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer The first spot someone books you for is often a showcase, a guest spot or a place on an independent show. Send each room what its own page asks for, confirm the details in writing, deliver the minutes asked for, and ask the producer for one note after. - **16** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **10** 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 booker brings you back 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… ### Showcase or guest comic - You have a tape at the length rooms ask for, and a link that opens for anyone. - You’re sending submissions, or you’re about to send your first. - A showcase, guest or bucket spot has been offered, or it’s the next thing you want. - You’d like a spot on a lineup that someone books, in front of a real audience. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [a booker brings you back](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-getting-rebooked.html) These are the tests the bookers who bring comics back set in their own published rules. Tick each one when it’s true for you. A producer who booked you will vouch for you. Lafayette Comedy asks for the producers, bookers or comedians who can be used as a reference. [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) You have credits beyond the mics: Henceforth Comedy asks for festivals, clubs, television and other professional bookings, and says open mics and contests do not count. [Henceforth Comedy ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) You have a new clip with new material for the rooms that welcome one: Bushwick Comedy Club and BABS Comedy Club both say you can submit again with new material. [Bushwick Comedy ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) · [BABS Comedy Club ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) You did the spot as asked: the time, the length and the running order. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 16 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. #### Know the kinds of spots From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms and Choose help when it solves a problem. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196 and 290–313. 1. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-02 #### Separate open mics, showcases, paid bookings and auditions Label each lead: open mic, bucket spot, showcase, guest spot, bringer or paid booking. Each one asks for something different. **Done when** Opportunity types labeled in your lead list. [Showcases, bringers and contests →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-after-open-mics.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-07 #### Avoid pay-to-play, bogus showcases and fake representatives Before you pay to perform or bring paying guests, know what you get for it: stage time, a recording, a booker in the room. **Done when** Documented checks before paying any fee. [The Hollywood Effect: knowing a real offer →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/pay-to-play-comedy.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-01 #### Find ten rooms appropriate to your actual set length **Done when** Ten candidates and their official sources. [The Club Directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-clubs.html) Places on this page → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Send it the way each room asks From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms and Assemble booking proof. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196 and 143–173. 4. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-03 #### Verify the current submission route for three target rooms **Done when** A dated first-party booking requirement record. Where to send it, on this page → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-04 #### Tailor your clip and message to each buyer Name the show you want, send the tape at that room’s length, give real dates, and list your credits as they are. **Done when** Three concise, different pitches. The showcase submission → [Draft the booking message →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-start-stand-up-comedy.html#tool-booking) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-05 #### Create a submission tracker with dates and outcomes **Done when** A list showing sent, replied, follow-up, declined. [Your booking desk, in the passport →](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 7. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-06 #### Set follow-up reminders that respect buyer instructions Follow each room’s own word: Bushwick Comedy Club answers only the comics it picks, and Henceforth Comedy welcomes a new video after 90 days. **Done when** Follow-up dates, not repeated random nudges. [Follow-up dates on your booking desk →](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 8. 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 9. Assemble booking proof · package-09 #### Claim or create your SUCDb record with sourced credits **Done when** Submitted or updated information that is accurate. [Claim your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Confirm the spot From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms and Become the comic rooms trust. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196 and 400–434. 10. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-07 #### Ask about the slot, audience, pay and recording rules **Done when** A specific description of the opportunity. The questions to ask → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-10 #### Never list an unconfirmed offer as a booked date **Done when** Your calendar includes confirmed dates only. Confirming the spot → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-03 #### Prepare your show-day checklist The address, your arrival time, your set list, your exact time, and who you check in with. **Done when** Travel, arrival, set list, sound and exit. [Show night →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-show-night.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 13. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-04 #### Learn how to introduce yourself to a host or producer **Done when** A short professional introduction. [Meeting bookers and hosts →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-networking.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Deliver and follow up From the Career Field Manual: Become the comic rooms trust. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 400–434. 14. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-05 #### Respect set time even when the room is going well **Done when** Consistent finish times over several sets. [Do the agreed job →](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 15. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-06 #### Write a plan for disruptions or unsafe audience behavior **Done when** Know who has authority and where to get help. [Hecklers and drunks: protect the show →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-fright.html#hecklers) [When it stops being funny →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-fright.html#security) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 16. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-07 #### Follow up after a booking without demanding another date Thank the producer within a day, ask for one note, and leave the next date to them. **Done when** A concise thank-you or useful check-in. The note after the show → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Know what a showcase is for** Ask what’s being judged before you go. [Showcases, bringers and contests →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-after-open-mics.html) - **Check before you pay** A fee to perform deserves a hard look first. [Is this real? Before you say yes →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/pay-to-play-comedy.html#check) - **Be easy to work with** Arrive early, hit your time, thank the staff. [Show night →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-show-night.html) - **Know who decides** Producers, bookers and talent buyers each decide in their own way. [Who books comedy clubs →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-who-books-comedy-clubs.html) - **Start with rooms that say how** A room that publishes its route has told you how to ask. [The Club Directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-clubs.html) - **Draft the request** A clear request is an easy one to answer. [Draft the booking message →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-start-stand-up-comedy.html#tool-booking) 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. - **Send one, log one** Send one submission the way a room asks, and log the date it went. - **Follow up on their timetable** Send again only when and how a room’s page says, with a new clip. - **Keep up the mics** Test new material at the mics, so the showcase gets your strongest five. - **Watch a showcase** Watch one you’d like to do, and note its set length, its host and its audience. - **Confirm in writing** For each spot offered, confirm the date, time, length and pay in writing. - **Thank the producer** After each spot, send a short thank-you, and ask for one note. 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 submission rules ### Gotham Comedy Club Its New Talent Showcase puts new comics on a mixed lineup with professional comedians, from a 2–5 minute tape. - Gotham Comedy Club invites you to perform at a New Talent Showcase. - Stage time on a mixed lineup with new talent and professional comedians [Gotham Comedy Club’s page ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published submission rules ### Bushwick Comedy It books from video, and asks comics from out of town for a definite window of dates, with the tape in at least two months ahead. - We book entirely off of video submissions. - This window must be definite - Please submit your tape AT LEAST 2 months before your dates. [Bushwick Comedy’s page ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) · checked 10 November 2026 A producer’s published submission rules ### Henceforth Comedy A high-quality video of a recent five-minute set, credits beyond open mics and contests, a short bio and your available dates. - A high-quality video of a recent five-minute set - open mics and contests do not count - Your available dates in Cleveland [Henceforth Comedy’s page ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a showcase comic 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 New York, NY · Showcase · Email #### Gotham Comedy Club, New Talent A 2–5 minute tape with clean audio and a clear view of you on stage, to be considered for a New Talent Showcase. **Worth knowing.** A showcase spot is stage time, not a paid club booking. [Its page ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Brooklyn, NY · Showcase · Form #### EastVille Comedy Club, Rising Stars A short bio and a performance video link anyone can open, for the weekly Rising Stars Showcase and other new-talent shows. **Worth knowing.** The form also signs you up for an alert when the next showcase is being booked. [Its page ↗](https://www.eastvillecomedy.com/submissions/new-talent) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Brooklyn, NY · Club spots · Form #### Bushwick Comedy Club, local comics Local comics have their own submission link; producers pitch a show by email. [Its page ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/local-submission) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Brooklyn, NY · Club spots · Form #### Bushwick Comedy Club, out-of-town comics Your best five minutes as a YouTube link and a definite window of dates, sent at least two months before them. It books entirely from video, and answers only the comics it picks. [Its page ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Forest Park, IL · Club spots · Form #### BABS Comedy Club, Local Laughs Apply through its form for the Friday Local Laughs Showcase; one person books the comics and watches every clip sent. [Its page ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Cleveland, OH · Independent show · Email #### Henceforth Comedy A high-quality video of a recent five-minute set and your credits: festivals, clubs, television and other professional bookings. **Worth knowing.** It can’t answer every submission; send again after 90 days with a new video. [Its page ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Dayton, OH · Independent show · Form #### Gem City Comedy A form for comics in the Dayton and greater Miami Valley scene: tell it about you and add a clip of your work, to be kept in mind for future shows. [Its page ↗](https://form.jotform.com/253267957677073) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Houston, TX · Independent show · Form #### Punchlines on the Patio, Houston Its contact form has a choice for “comedian looking for stage time”. **Worth knowing.** It has many requests for a few spots a show. [Its page ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/contact) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Corpus Christi, TX · Independent show · Form #### Punchlines on the Patio, Corpus Christi Its booking form has a choice for “comedian looking for stage time”. [Its page ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/booking-1) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Houston, TX · Independent show · Form #### Comedy Space Apply to work with it: one to three video clips (YouTube or Vimeo) and your experience. [Its page ↗](https://comedyspace.com/contact/) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### Ask, and get it in writing A spot on a lineup may be unpaid: Gotham Comedy Club lists what each New Talent Showcase comic receives, a pro-quality tape of the set and stage time on a mixed lineup. None of the buyers on this page publishes what it pays for a spot, so this page gives no figure: ask, and get the answer in writing. **In writing, before you go** - The date, the call time and your set length - Whether the spot is paid, and if so how much and when - Any guest or ticket requirement, in plain numbers - Travel and parking: who pays - Recording: whether you may, and whether you get a copy - The content rule for the show - Who you check in with on the night 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 producer’s or booker’s name The show The venue The show’s date Your set length, in minutes Your clip’s link Where you’ve performed, as it is The dates you can do Your SUCDb record or website Your arrival time The pay as agreed, or: Unpaid, as agreed. One line on how the night went ### The showcase submission ``` Subject: Showcase submission: [Your name], [Your home town] Hi [The producer's or booker's name], I'm [Your name], a stand-up from [Your home town], and I'd like to be considered for [The show]. A recent [Your set length, in minutes]-minute set, in one take: [Your clip's link] Where I've performed, as it is: [Where you've performed, as it is]. I'm available [The dates you can do]. A short bio and photo: [Your SUCDb record or website] Thank you for watching, [Your name] ``` ### Confirming the spot ``` Subject: Confirming [The show], [The show's date] Hi [The producer's or booker's name], Thank you for the spot. To confirm what I have: [The show's date] at [The venue], [Your set length, in minutes] minutes, arriving by [Your arrival time]. [The pay as agreed, or: Unpaid, as agreed.] Is there a content rule for the show, and who do I check in with when I arrive? See you then, [Your name] ``` ### The note after the show ``` Subject: Thank you, [The show] Hi [The producer's or booker's name], Thank you for having me on [The show] on [The show's date]. [One line on how the night went] If you have a minute, I'd value one note: what would make the set stronger for your room? Best, [Your name] ``` ### Questions to ask before you say yes ``` 1. What's the date, the call time and my set length? 2. Is the spot paid? If so, how much, and when? 3. Do I need to bring guests or sell tickets? 4. What's the content rule for the show? 5. May I record my set? 6. Who's hosting, what's the running order, and who do I check in with? ``` 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 submission sent the way a room’s own page asks, dated in your tracker The spot confirmed in writing: date, time, length and pay The set delivered at the length asked for, finished on time One note from the producer, written down The spot in your log as a booked date, with the room and the show Your status ### A booked spot that isn’t a mic 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 [The common start · The signal **A booker brings you back** From here, several routes can open at once.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-getting-rebooked.html) [Club circuit · Get seen **Guest spots & auditions** Get watched by the people who book the slot.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-club-auditions.html) ## Go deeper - [What comes after open mics: showcases, bringers and contests](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-after-open-mics.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Chapter 8, Getting Booked](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring - [Who books hosts, features and headliners at comedy clubs](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-who-books-comedy-clubs.html) Who decides, at each kind of room ## 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. - [Gotham Comedy Club, New Talent ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) A club’s published submission rules. - [Bushwick Comedy, out-of-town submissions ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) A club’s published submission rules. - [Henceforth Comedy, booking questions ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) A producer’s published submission rules. - [Lafayette Comedy, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) A club’s published submission rules. - [BABS Comedy Club, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) A club’s published submission rules. - [EastVille Comedy Club, Rising Stars ↗](https://www.eastvillecomedy.com/submissions/new-talent) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Bushwick Comedy Club, local comics ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/local-submission) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [BABS Comedy Club, Local Laughs ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Gem City Comedy ↗](https://form.jotform.com/253267957677073) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Punchlines on the Patio, Houston ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/contact) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Punchlines on the Patio, Corpus Christi ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/booking-1) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Comedy Space ↗](https://comedyspace.com/contact/) 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): the common start, 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 comes after open mics, read [What comes after open mics: showcases, bringers and contests](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-after-open-mics.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)