--- title: "Getting Rebooked in Comedy: A Comic's Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to being booked again: what bookers say they look for in their own words, how to thank, keep a reference and a fresh tape, and the next route." url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-getting-rebooked.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · The common start · stop 5 of 5 # A booker brings you back: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer Being booked again is the sign that a room trusts you. Do the job as agreed, thank the producer without chasing the next date, keep a reference and a current tape, and choose one paid route to try while you keep the others going. - **14** 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 guest spots & auditions 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… ### Working short-set comic - You’ve done booked spots, not just mics, and a producer has seen you work. - You finish on time and on length, and your messages get answered. - You’d like the rooms that booked you to have you back, and new ones to say yes. - You’re weighing which paid route to try first. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [guest spots & auditions](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-club-auditions.html) The next stop is the club circuit’s first: guest spots and auditions, chosen because its buyers judge the short set and the tape you already have. These are the tests they set in their own published rules. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You have a current tape at the length each room asks for: Gotham Comedy Club a 2–5 minute tape, Bushwick Comedy Club your best 5 minutes, Lafayette Comedy a 5–10 minute video. [Gotham Comedy Club ↗](https://gothamcomedyclub.com/New-Talent/) · [Bushwick Comedy ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) · [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) You can list the clubs you’ve played and your role in each: Lafayette Comedy asks for both. [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) You can give a definite window of dates, sent well ahead: Bushwick Comedy Club asks comics from out of town for one, at least two months before. [Bushwick Comedy ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) A room that booked you has booked you again, or asked you back. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 14 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. #### Be the comic rooms trust 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. 1. 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. [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 2. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-07 #### Follow up after a booking without demanding another date **Done when** A concise thank-you or useful check-in. The thank-you after a return date → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Become the comic rooms trust · pro-08 #### Make reliability a documented part of your reputation Ask a producer who has booked you more than once whether you may name them as a reference. **Done when** Return requests or references, with permission. Asking for a reference → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Keep the record From the Career Field Manual: Assemble booking proof, Host, feature and headline and Find and pitch the right rooms. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–173, 115–131, 435–455 and 143–196. 4. Assemble booking proof · package-06 #### List your proven set lengths accurately **Done when** Lengths you can deliver in real rooms. [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 5. 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 6. Host, feature and headline · roles-05 #### Gather two references from rooms that booked you Ask before you list anyone: Lafayette Comedy asks for the producers, bookers or comedians who can vouch for you. **Done when** Permission to share each reference. Asking for a reference → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Assemble booking proof · package-08 #### Build a one-link electronic press kit **Done when** Accessible bio, clips and contact information. [Your SUCDb record, as one link →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) [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 8. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-09 #### Log every accepted or declined offer and why **Done when** A decision trail you can learn from. [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 #### Grow past the five From the Career Field Manual: Grow the act without padding 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. 9. Grow the act without padding · set-03 #### Build ten usable minutes without adding filler A room that asks you back may give you more time: have ten minutes that work without filler. **Done when** A ten-minute recording and notes. [Five into ten →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-expand-a-comedy-set.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Grow the act without padding · set-04 #### Create alternate openers and closers **Done when** Two usable opening and closing choices. [Opening and closing strong →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-five-minute-set.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Build a repetition habit · reps-08 #### Keep one productive open mic even after paid gigs begin Keep one mic in your week for new material, so each room that books you sees a better set. **Done when** A continuing place to test new work. [Find a mic to keep →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#find) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Choose the next route From the Career Field Manual: Choose help when it solves a problem, Get paid. Keep records. and Build a career you can keep. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 290–313, 234–289 and 400–455. 12. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-01 #### Identify the people who already influence your bookings List the hosts, producers and bookers who’ve seen you work, and how each one books. **Done when** A map of buyer, host, producer and promoter roles. [Who books comedy clubs →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-who-books-comedy-clubs.html) [Your Team’s directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#find) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 13. Get paid. Keep records. · money-01 #### Confirm the buyer, slot, set length and fee in writing For each return date, confirm the slot, the length and the fee in writing, even with a room you know. **Done when** A saved agreement or confirmation. [Get the deal in writing →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) Questions to ask when you’re asked back → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 14. Build a career you can keep · sustain-03 #### Choose three work-based priorities for your next 90 days **Done when** Three measurable deliverables under your control. [Road Maps: one plan for each stage →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#where-are-you) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Be reliable, again and again** On time, on length, easy with the staff. [Why clubs rebook comics →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-why-clubs-rebook-comics.html) - **Grow the five into ten** A room that asks you back may give you more time. [Five into ten →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-expand-a-comedy-set.html) - **Host a room** A host works in front of the booker every week. [The host’s job →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-host.html) - **Keep clean minutes ready** Clubs, private shows and campuses can all use them. [Clean vs. Dirty →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/clean-dirty.html) - **Help the scene** People book comics they like working with. [Networking →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-networking.html) - **Get each deal in writing** Even with a room you know well. [Get Paid: the deal →](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. - **Thank, don’t chase** After each booking, one thank-you, with no ask for the next date in the same note. - **Return better** Bring stronger material each time a room has you back. - **Keep your record current** Add each date, room and producer to your log the same week. - **Freshen the tape** Film a new set when the material changes, for the rooms that welcome a new clip. - **Grow the minutes** Where a room gives you the time, run ten minutes, not your best five. - **Test one paid route** Send one submission on one paid route, without dropping the others. 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 ### Lafayette Comedy References who can vouch for you, the clubs you’ve played and in what role, and who you’ve opened for. - Who can vouch for you? - List the producers/bookers or comedians who can be used for a reference. - Were you opener, feature, headliner, etc. [Lafayette Comedy’s page ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) · checked 10 November 2026 A producer’s published submission rules ### Henceforth Comedy The more it sees you perform and work on your act, the more likely a longer spot; and a new video is welcome after 90 days. - The more we see you perform and work on your act, the more likely we are to consider you for a longer showcase spot. - You're welcome to submit again after 90 days with a new video. [Henceforth Comedy’s page ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published submission rules ### BABS Comedy Club Not hearing back can mean not yet, and an updated clip with new material is welcome. - If you don't hear back, it isn't necessarily a "no"—it often means "not yet" - You're welcome to submit again if you have an updated clip with new material on it. [BABS Comedy Club’s page ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a returning 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 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 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 Published route Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK, and its other clubs · Club spots · Form #### BARK Entertainment, paid MC What it looks for in a paid MC, before you apply: a clean 10–15 minute set, no worse than PG-13 even when the headliner works dirty, and a comic who’s easy to work with, polite to staff, sober on stage and keen to learn the MC announcements. **Worth knowing.** Its page calls MCing a difficult position that sets the tone of the night, and not for everyone. [Its page ↗](https://www.barkentertainment.com/paid-mc) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### When a return date pays A return booking may be the first one that pays. None of the buyers on this page publishes what it pays for a short set, so this page gives no figure: ask, and confirm the terms in writing every time, even with a room you know. **In writing, each time** - The date, your set length and your role - The fee, and when and how you’re paid - Travel and lodging: who pays - The content rule for the show - Recording and merch: whether you may - What happens if the show is cancelled Questions to ask when you’re asked back · [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 show’s date One line on how the night went Your clip’s link How you’d list them: their role and the show Your rooms and shows, as they are The rooms that booked you back Your SUCDb record or website ### The thank-you after a return date ``` Subject: Thank you for [The show's date] Hi [The producer's or booker's name], Thank you for having me back on [The show]. [One line on how the night went] The set from the night, if it's useful: [Your clip's link] Best, [Your name] ``` ### Asking for a reference ``` Subject: May I name you as a reference? Hi [The producer's or booker's name], Thank you again for [The show]. Some rooms I'm submitting to ask who can vouch for me. May I name you as someone who has booked me, as: [How you'd list them: their role and the show]? If you'd rather not, that's no problem at all. Best, [Your name] ``` ### The short booking bio ``` [Your name] is a stand-up comedian from [Your home town]. Rooms and shows, as they are: [Your rooms and shows, as they are]. [Your name] has been booked back by [The rooms that booked you back]. A current clip and dates: [Your SUCDb record or website] ``` ### Questions to ask when you’re asked back ``` 1. The same slot and length as last time, or different? 2. Is it paid this time? If so, how much, and when? 3. Has the content rule changed? 4. Would you like the set you saw, or new material? 5. May I record my set? 6. Who do I check in with, and when? ``` 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 producer or booker who booked you, booking you again A reference who agreed to be named A current tape and a short booking bio Your last three producers, listed with their dates One paid route chosen to test, with its first submission sent Your status ### A booker brings you back 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 · Get seen **Guest spots & auditions** Get watched by the people who book the slot.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-club-auditions.html) [Your own shows · Own the room **Produce one real show** Make your own stage time, with the costs counted.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-produce-a-comedy-show.html) ## Go deeper - [Why comedy clubs rebook certain comics](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-why-clubs-rebook-comics.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Chapter 19, Professionalism](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring - [How to write a comedian bio](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) Your bio and credits, as they are ## 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. - [Lafayette Comedy, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) A club’s published submission rules. - [Henceforth Comedy, booking questions ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) A producer’s published submission rules. - [BABS Comedy Club, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.babscomedyclub.com/Comedian-Bookings-Submissions) A club’s published submission rules. - [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. - [Bushwick Comedy Club, out-of-town comics ↗](https://www.bushwickcomedy.com/contact/out-of-town-submission) 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. - [BARK Entertainment, paid MC ↗](https://www.barkentertainment.com/paid-mc) 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 5 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 why clubs bring comics back, read [Why comedy clubs rebook certain comics](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-why-clubs-rebook-comics.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)