Stand-up Comedy is a comic style in which a comedian performs in front of a live audience, usually speaking directly to them. The performer is commonly known as a comic, stand-up comic, comedian, comedienne, stand-up comedian, or simply a stand-up.In stand-up comedy, the comedian gives the illusion that they are dialoguing , but in actuality, they are monologuing a grouping of humorous stories , jokes and one-liners, typically called a shtick, routine, or set. Some stand-up comedians use props , music or magic tricks to enhance their acts. Stand-up comedy is stated to be the "freest form of comedy writing" that is normally regarded as an "extension of" the person performing. The improvisation of stand-up is often compared to jazz music. A comedian's process of writing is likened to the process of song writing. A comedian's ability to tighten their material has been likened to crafting a samurai sword.It usually takes place at Comedy Shows which typically take place at Comedy Clubs
Some of the main types of humor in stand-up comedy include observational comedy, blue comedy, dark comedy, clean comedy , and cringe comedy . Alternative Stand-Up Comedy deviates from the traditional, mainstream comedy by breaking either joke structure, performing in an untraditional scene, or breaking an audience's expectations; this includes, but is not limited to, the use of Shaggy Dog Stories and anti-jokes.
Stand-up comedy is often performed in corporate events, comedy clubs, bars and pubs , nightclubs , neo-burlesques, colleges and theatres (audiences will give applause breaks more often in theaters ). Outside live performance, stand-up is often distributed commercially via televisions, DVD, CD and the internet.
It can take an amateur comedian about 10 years to perfect the technique needed to be a professional comedian;this is a constant process of learning through failure.
As the name implies, "stand-up" comedians usually perform their material while standing, though this is not mandatory. Similar acts performed while seated can be referred to as "sit-down comedy".
Comedians are more likely to exhibit psychotic[-like] traits" than the average person; most comedians display "magical thinking" and are "introverted[ly]" "anhedoni[c]".
A stand-up comedy show may (rarely) be one comedian; a multi-person, showcase format; or the traditional opener, feature, and headliner. A traditional format typically features an opening act known as a host, compere (UK), master of ceremonies (MC/emcee), or simply "opener" who, for 10-12 minutes, usually warms up the crowd, interacts with audience members, makes announcements, and then introduces the other performers; this is followed by a "middle"/"feature" act that lasts 15-20 minutes but is expected to have "30 minutes of solid material"; the feature act is followed by the headliner, who performs for "an hour." The second definition of an opener is applied when the opening act of a traveling comedian may perform a 25-minute set (the opener doubles as a feature). The "showcase" format consists of several acts who perform for roughly equal lengths of time, typical in smaller clubs such as the Comedy Cellar, Montreal Comedy Club or Jongleurs, or at large events where the billing of several names allows for a larger venue than the individual comedians could draw. A showcase format may still feature an MC.