Reading an audience.

[CaptainBreakfast]

Since I still mainly do open mics for drunks and other comics, and I've only been exposed to a small variety of audiences, the skill of reading an audience is vague to me, as it probably is to many other comics who are standing in the open-mic'er stage. I've heard that reading an audience is a skill that every great comedian must have under his or her belt. However, I'm quite unsure as to what "reading an audience" means, and how it differs from the painful mistake of judging an audience.

Anyone care to elaborate?

[ronfunc]

Hey Phil,

I may not be an expert on the subject, but I have a few ideas. I check the audience for age, racial makeup, and knowing what town im in helps. I have found that a nice blend is what works for me. a mix of old and young and different races makes sure my jokes are bound to hit with at least a portion of the crowd.

it also helps to watch a comic or 2 before you to see if they will follow dirty or smart jokes.

I also make sure I dont bring in any preconceived notions like " This crowd is too old they wont get me" or they are too old to like dirty material because I usually find out the opposite is true.

However at my stage of development I don't really have the wealth of material to tailor a set besides dropping a joke here and there.

hope this garbled mess of an answer helps. maybe we'll talk about it on the podcast only 20 episodes to go till your a guest.

[soce]

I cannot speak as a stand-up comedian, but I definitely can speak as a musical comedian.

The key is to always be on your toes. Know when your material is hitting, when to stay on one tack and when to move on to something else. Be aware of the vibes you're receiving from everything you say, regardless of whether or not people are laughing.

It's the difference between someone who just gets up on stage and delivers his lines vs someone who really connects with the crowd and makes it personal (even if he's telling the same jokes he always tells). It may start out as just tagging your jokes.. "boy you guys really liked that one, hunh?" or "Looks like there are a lot of [[insert group you just made fun of]] in the audience..."

And then it becomes more subtle. It's hard to fully explain, but the more you perform, the more you get it and just know when to do certain things.. when to elaborate and when to rush through, how long to give them the crazy and when to pull it all back in. Always make sure everyone is with you on the ride.

[JayP7]

Yeah I think it's generally meaning "during the performance". You just kind of notice what they're responding to, what they aren't responding to.

For example I did an open mic about a year ago in a coffee shop, and I realized about halfway through that with so few people, and most of them kind of in and out that I should've written down more of my shorter punchier jokes, cause they simply weren't going to listen to my ones with longer set ups.

It's definitely something that's good to learn in improv. You listen for what the audience is responding to and you heighten it. If they seem to laugh at this character hitting on this other character, then you do it more. You get more unbearable, maybe more creepy, whatever.

but like everything else it's just something you pick up from doing it. doing it. doing it.

[MarkAgee]

No one who knows how to truly answer this question is going to be able to put it into words. It's called stage chops, and it takes time.

But if you want to read a rambly 300-word dissertation on this kind of thing, pick up "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell and bone up on the term "thin-slicing."

[thedudeabides]

very helpful guys thx^^

[Mr. Meows]

Don't worry guys, PG will come on soon.

[Nickflans]

see below?

[Nickflans]

Don't worry guys, PG will come on soon.

Who is this 'soon' and do they like being come on?
I get the sense you are the type of crowd that enjoy above joke

[KevinLee]

I'm not sure but I think this might help add to the discussion.

[youtube]88KVm-8OR6Q[/youtube]

[pixel revolt]

This one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-UF-h1K4rM

[KevinLee]

[youtube]CrrOnYH3XuY[/youtube]