How To Do A Residency

Well, how *I* do a residency

Hey all! It’s been a whole year since I started Museletter. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. If you’re not sure what to get me (or a friend?) for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza, I’d love for you to get a paid subscription to this newsletter. Isn’t that so selfless of me?! You spend $7 to get a gift for me, and it’s also for you. That’s how I roll. ❤️

Etc.

• A quick personal story | TikTok

• This swearing lady in my audience was so perfect | TikTok

@thejessdelfinoI’m even kind of impressed at how well I handled this. #problemsolving #rulebreaker #rebel #artsquest #crackingupinthevalley #steelstacks #jessicadelfino #standup #comedy #swearing #F #wtf #audienceparticipation #teamwork #dreamwork #dreamjob #comedylife #life #comedyshow #funnymoments

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People often talk about how to do this or that, like it’s *the way* to do it. I guess it gets more clicks to do it that way, vs. advertising it like, Well, here’s one way to do it, but of course, you do you.

Maybe that’s why all my old friends are super famous and I’m just kind of famous.

Or maybe it has nothing to do with that at all.

Anyway, if you want to get a residency going, here’s one good way.

First of all, what is a residency?

A residency is when a performer, often a musician, will set up a sort of home base at a club and do an intensive run of shows, ideally with the intention of developing a new show, or building a local fan base. Or both. It can also be just for fun. The rules of entertainment are all loosey goosey, baby.

If you’ve never done a residency, here are some suggestions:

• First, write an email template. Remember to include all the great things you can bring to the table, like a following, lots of alcohol-loving friends, or, as a last resort, passion.

• Tips: The last time I pitched a residency, I offered to split the door 50/50, keep the ticket price low but to take a slot they didn’t usually have a big turn out, and to do my own PR.

• If you don’t have a template email, no worries, use this one:

• Next, identify a handful of decent clubs or stages that might want dig what you’re shelling out.

• Pitch yourself! Be prepared to hear “no” or not hear anything back at all, and to keep your head down and barrel ahead.

• Try to book a number of dates close together. Maybe you’ll do a residency every Tuesday night for 6-8 weeks, or every Friday night for a month, or every night for 2 weeks. Use the time to develop new material or hone a show in progress, and maybe even make a little money while you’re at it.

• Don’t necessarily expect a huge turnout at first, but ideally by the end, the turnout will get bigger and you’ll develop some regular attendees who may even go on to become super fans.

• Don’t forget to have fun, unlike Louis CK during his residency at a casino in Las Vegas in this clip.

Daily Musings:

• Stand Up NY, you’re in the news again, this time not for lols | NY Post

• I enjoyed your NPR interview, Ilana Glaser | NPR

• Kate McKinnon, you are the Long Island Medium | SNL via Instagram

• Loved this, Jason | New York Cartoons

  A Night at Radio City Music Hall

Bye, bff.

<3 Jess