Performing Arts - Stand-Up Comedy

Here you will learn some English words related to stand-up comedy such as "gag", "crowd work", and "comedy club".

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Performing Arts

a short, witty, and concise joke or humorous observation that is delivered in a single line

Ex: His repertoire includes a variety of one-liners that he uses to warm up the crowd before his set .
shtick [noun]

(Yiddish) a comedian's distinctive style, routine, or comedic gimmick that sets them apart from others

Ex: He 's known for his absurdist shtick , often weaving surreal and nonsensical elements into his comedy routines .

a venue where comedians perform stand-up comedy routines to a live audience

Ex: She has a gig at a local comedy club this weekend .

the host and organizer of a public event who introduces acts and ensures the smooth flow of activities

the practice of a performer engaging with and interacting with the audience during a live performance, often in a comedic or improvisational manner

the act of plagiarizing or stealing jokes or comedic material from another comedian without giving proper credit or permission

hack [noun]

a comedian who depends on clichéd, overused material, producing predictable or uninspired jokes

Ex: Even as a hack , he maintained steady bookings .

a well-rehearsed and polished set of five minutes of material that a comedian can perform reliably in front of an audience

comedy content that contains explicit, vulgar, or risqué language, themes, or topics that are considered more provocative, edgy, or offensive in nature

gag [noun]

a short, humorous anecdote, joke, or punchline intended to elicit laughter

Ex: He opened his set with a quick gag to break the ice and set the tone for the rest of the performance .
heckler [noun]

an individual in an audience who interrupts a performance, typically a comedian or speaker, by making loud or disruptive comments, criticisms, or jeers

Ex: Despite efforts to maintain order , the heckler persisted in making disruptive comments , prompting security to escort them out of the venue .
in-joke [noun]

a joke or reference understood only by a specific group, often based on shared experiences or knowledge

Ex: The comedian 's set included several in-jokes about the local community , eliciting laughter from residents who recognized the references .
joke [noun]

something a person says that is intended to make others laugh

Ex: The comedian 's joke about the airplane food had the audience in stitches .

one's face when it is devoid of any signs of amusement, interest, or even sadness

Ex: I 'm forcing a straight face while she recounts the silly mishap .