--- title: "Your First College Comedy Gig: A Comic's Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to your first campus date: the contract and the school" url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-first-college-comedy-gig.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Colleges & campuses · stop 4 of 5 # Your first campus date: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer A campus date is a show and a piece of institutional business. Confirm who signs, read the contract, advance the room, the rules and the parking, do the show you agreed to, and send the paperwork the school needs so the payment can go through. - **18** steps, each with its “done when” - **2** buyers, in their own words - **5** pieces of proof to keep - **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 campus act that’s asked 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… ### Booked campus comic: the first date - A school, or an agent for you, has offered a date. - You have a contract or a confirmation to read, and perhaps a form or two from the school. - You haven’t yet played a campus show as the act the school paid for. - You want the first date to lead to the next one. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [a campus act that’s asked back](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-college-comedy-rebookings.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. A school that booked you has asked about another date, or passed your name to another school. You can offer a block of dates: APCA’s Cooperative Buying lists blocks of 2 events in 3 days, 3 in 5 and 5 in 7. [APCA Conferences ↗](https://apca.com/artists-agents-conferences/) Your kit lists the college dates you’ve done: GP College Entertainment asks for any past or currently booked college gigs. [GP College Entertainment ↗](https://www.gpentertainment.com/prospective-artists.php) A school can find you between conferences: APCA’s artist profiles let schools send an interest form at any time of year, straight to you or your agent. [APCA ↗](https://apca.com/artists-agents-membership/) 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 18 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. #### Read the offer From the Career Field Manual: Get paid. Keep records., Explore specialty markets and Choose help when it solves a problem. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 234–289, 132–142, 143–173 and 290–313. 1. Get paid. Keep records. · money-01 #### Confirm the buyer, slot, set length and fee in writing Read who the contract is with: the student who called you may not be the person who signs for the school. **Done when** A saved agreement or confirmation. Questions to ask before you sign → [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 2. Get paid. Keep records. · money-02 #### Verify whether lodging and travel are included **Done when** Exact terms rather than assumptions. [Get Paid: the deal →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. 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 4. Explore specialty markets · specialty-08 #### Track the contract and travel terms unique to the market Campus contracts can come with their own paperwork, such as purchase orders, vendor forms, tax forms and insurance, depending on the school. List what’s needed, and by when. **Done when** A market-specific cost and risk checklist. [College contracts →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-college-comedy-gigs.html#topic-264) [Do comedians need contracts? →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-06 #### Get suitable professional advice for consequential contracts **Done when** Lawyer or accountant engaged when needed. [Before you sign →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html#topic-288) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Advance the show From the Career Field Manual: Route the road, not the poster and Become the comic rooms trust. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233, 314–347 and 400–434. 6. Route the road, not the poster · road-07 #### Check the room’s technical needs and advance contacts Ask who runs sound, what the room is and where you load in: a campus show can be in a theater, a ballroom or a dining hall. **Done when** Show advance and load-in instructions. The advance email → [Technical riders →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-rider.html#topic-285) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-02 #### Confirm each room’s code of conduct and recording rules **Done when** A note for rooms with different expectations. The advance email → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 8. Route the road, not the poster · road-02 #### Calculate miles, driving time, fuel and lodging **Done when** Complete legs including home and return. [The Tour Planner →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-tour-planner.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. Route the road, not the poster · road-04 #### Decide when a driving or flying day becomes unsafe **Done when** Rest plan and latest safe departure time. [On the Road →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/road.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-03 #### Prepare your show-day checklist **Done when** Travel, arrival, set list, sound and exit. [Show night: early, prepared, on time →](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 #### Do the show you agreed From the Career Field Manual: Become the comic rooms trust and Turn one good night into a return. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 400–434, 348–366, 383–399 and 435–455. 11. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-05 #### Respect set time even when the room is going well Do the show the school agreed to: its length, its content and its start time. **Done when** Consistent finish times over several sets. [Log it 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 12. 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. [Nerves & Hecklers →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-fright.html) **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-04 #### Record a clip with permission and a clear intended use **Done when** Source recording and permission record. [Filming a set →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/promote-your-comedy-show.html#film) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Settle up, and keep the record From the Career Field Manual: Get paid. Keep records., Become the comic rooms trust and Build a career you can keep. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 234–289, 400–434 and 400–455. 14. Get paid. Keep records. · money-05 #### Create a simple invoice and expense-recording system Send the invoice and the forms the day they’re asked for, and keep a copy of each with the contract. **Done when** Sample invoice and current expense ledger. Sending the school’s paperwork → [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 15. Get paid. Keep records. · money-06 #### Separate business money and planned tax reserves **Done when** A documented money-handling routine. [The Working Comic: taxes and saving →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/working-comic.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 16. Get paid. Keep records. · money-08 #### Know your follow-up process for late payment **Done when** A dated, factual escalation sequence. [When a payment is late →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#stiffed) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 17. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-07 #### Follow up after a booking without demanding another date Thank the staff adviser as well as the student who booked you: boards change as students graduate, and the adviser often stays. **Done when** A concise thank-you or useful check-in. The thank-you after the show → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 18. Build a career you can keep · sustain-07 #### Archive your performance history with its source links **Done when** Backup of gigs, clips and agreements. [Your log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) [Your 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 ### What speeds this up - **Advance it by email** Questions answered in writing before show day. [Advancing a show →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-rider.html#topic-239) - **Send a short rider** A microphone, a stand, sound and water: what the show needs. [What a rider is →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-rider.html) - **Know the contract** Who the parties are, what the job is, and when you’re paid. [Do comedians need contracts? →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html) - **Arrive early** Early, prepared and on time makes the next booking an easy yes. [Show night →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-show-night.html) - **Plan the drive** Campus roads, parking and early shows take planning. [On the Road →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/road.html) - **Keep the paperwork together** The contract, the forms, the invoice and the payment, in one place. [Get Paid, Get Back →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) 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. - **Advance one date** Confirm the room, the sound, the parking and your contact for the next date on your calendar. - **Read the paperwork** Read one contract or school form through to the end, and list what’s due and when. - **Rehearse the agreed show** Run the set the school agreed to, at its length, clean. - **Send what’s due** Send a form, an invoice or a confirmation the day it’s asked for. - **Thank someone** Send a short thank-you to the adviser and the board after a show. - **Check the money** Match what was promised with what has arrived. 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. The campus buyers’ association ### APCA Conferences At APCA’s conferences, the exhibitors explain their rider and contract terms to schools, and keep sample contracts at the booth: the paperwork is part of the sale. - They can answer questions, explain rider and contract terms, and generally give member schools all the information they need to bring an artist or vendor to their campus event. - Typical booths will have bios, pictures, sample contracts and cooperative buying forms available. [APCA Conferences’s page ↗](https://apca.com/artists-agents-conferences/) · checked 10 November 2026 Government guidance ### The IRS on gig work Keep records and receipts through the year, including what each school pays you. - Collect and keep your records and receipts during the year. - 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 This stop begins once a school or your agent has offered a date, so there’s nothing new to send here. The places to apply are on the stop before, Reach the campus buyers; at this stop, read the contract, advance the show and settle it. [62 places to send a submission, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) The money here ### Ask, and get it in writing None of the buyers on this page publishes what a school pays a comic, so this page gives no figure. A school’s paperwork can include a purchase order, vendor forms, tax forms and insurance, depending on the school: ask what it needs, how and when you’re paid, and get it in the contract. **In the contract, before you go** - The date, the room, the show’s length and the content rules - Who the contract is with, and who signs it for the school - The fee, when and how it’s paid, and the paperwork the school needs first - Travel and lodging: included, or yours - Sound and lighting, and who runs them - Recording: whether the school or you may - What happens if the show is cancelled Questions to ask before you sign · [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 The school Your contact at the school The show’s date Your phone The office handling payment Your invoice number One line on how the show went The dates you’re routing ### The advance email ``` Subject: Advance for [The show's date]: [Your name] at [The school] Hi [Your contact at the school], I'm looking forward to [The show's date]. A few things so the night runs smoothly: 1. Where is the show, and where do I park and load in? 2. What time should I arrive, and who meets me? 3. Who runs sound, and is there a handheld microphone and a stand? 4. How long is my set, and who introduces me? 5. Are there content or audience-interaction rules I should know? 6. Is the show being recorded? My rider is attached. Thank you, [Your name] [Your phone] ``` ### Sending the school’s paperwork ``` Subject: Paperwork for [The show's date]: [Your name] Hi [The office handling payment], Attached for the show on [The show's date]: my invoice [Your invoice number] for the agreed fee, and the forms you asked for. Please tell me if anything else is needed before payment can be made, and when I should expect it. Thank you, [Your name] ``` ### The thank-you after the show ``` Subject: Thank you, [The school] Hi [Your contact at the school], Thank you, and the board, for having me on [The show's date]. [One line on how the show went] If you'd like comedy again next term, I'd be glad to come back. I'm routing dates near you [The dates you're routing]. Best, [Your name] ``` ### Questions to ask before you sign ``` 1. Who is the contract with: the school, a student organization or an agency? 2. Who signs for the school, and who approves the content? 3. What paperwork does the school need from me, and by when? 4. When will I be paid, and how? 5. Is travel or lodging included? 6. What insurance, if any, does the school require? 7. What happens if the show is cancelled? 8. May the show be recorded, and by whom? ``` 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 signed contract or written confirmation, with who signed for the school The advance answered in writing: room, sound, parking, set length and rules The show done as agreed, at its length, in your log with its date The school’s paperwork sent, and the payment received A thank-you sent to the adviser and the board Your status ### Your first campus date 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 [Colleges & campuses · Return booking **A campus act that’s asked back** Repeat dates are the signal; a showcase is only the way in.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-college-comedy-rebookings.html) [Private & corporate · Protect the gig **Close a written agreement** Settle the deal before you travel or perform.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-gig-contract.html) ## Go deeper - [How do comedians get college gigs?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-college-comedy-gigs.html#topic-264) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book: college contracts - [What is a comedian’s rider, and how do you advance a show?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-rider.html) The explainer: the rider and the advance - [Chapter 12, Contracts and the Business](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring ## 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. - [APCA conferences, for artists and agents ↗](https://apca.com/artists-agents-conferences/) The campus buyers’ association. - [IRS, Manage taxes for your gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Government guidance. - [GP College Entertainment, prospective artists ↗](https://www.gpentertainment.com/prospective-artists.php) A college agency’s published criteria. - [APCA associate membership, for artists and agents ↗](https://apca.com/artists-agents-membership/) The campus buyers’ association. - [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): colleges & campuses, 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 the school’s side of a college booking, read [How do comedians get college gigs?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-college-comedy-gigs.html#topic-264). 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)