The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Comedian spects are easy to spot. They make jokes and comments that put them outside the story. Their acting is fake and disconnected. This can be appropriate in certain genres, such as farce, melodrama, and telenovela. However, it can be frustrating to play for keeps while the comedian plays in a disconnected fashion. There are ways to work with comedians, but first let’s consider why they play in this way at all.

Some spects play as comedians because they assume that all improvisation is supposed to be funny. They’re just playing in the way that they think is expected. When the audience laughs, this further encourages their comedic behavior.

Other spects play as comedians because they’re uncomfortable engaging in a world of “make-believe.” It feels awkward to these spects to treat a pretend world as though it were real. To escape their discomfort, they keep themselves at a distance, using humor as a defense mechanism to avoid appearing foolish or naive.

The thing to remember is this: Comedian spects aren’t trying to play poorly. They’re engaging as best they know how, given their expectations or discomfort. Here are things you can do to help them play in more grounded and connected ways.

Stay grounded and connected – This is the most important thing to do. Stay committed to the truth of the fiction and play in a connected fashion, regardless of how the spect plays. When you model this approach, some comedian spects will settle down and adopt this style of play as well.

Treat funny as real – When the spect tries to be funny, ignore the comedic intention. Respond to what the spect has said or done as though it were real behavior. This validates the spect’s offer without throwing gas on the comedy fire.

Delmar accosts Tito (spect) at knife-point, demanding that he hand over all his money. In mock fear, Tito clasps his hands to his chest, his knees shake in exaggerated terror, and he cries in a high-pitched voice, “Oh heavens, I’m being mugged. Whatever shall I do?” Delmar maintains his intimidating demeanor, and growls, “You’re going to hand over your wallet and that Rolex watch, motherfucker.”

Assume they’re playing in-story – Even though comedians have a tendency to play out-of-story, respond as though they’re being funny in-story. If they make a joke or a ridiculous comment, laugh, groan, or have an appropriate response within the context. The key is to treat their out-of-story conduct as an in-story behavior.

Brent is trying to have a serious heart-to-heart with Emory (spect) about what to do with their mother who suffering from dementia. Emory suggests, “We could dress her up like a dog and drop her off at the animal shelter.” Brent laughs at his sister’s joke. “Yeah, we could. But the other dogs would probably object.”

Change the genre – If you have the latitude to change genres, shift to a comedic performance style. Become the straight man. Set the spect up to be even more funny. Play in a style where the comedian feels at home.

The one thing to avoid when playing with a comedian, is punishing the spect. Don’t treat them badly because they’re playing flippantly. It may be tempting to treat comedians’ behaviors as wrong, but it doesn’t help them play any better. They either double down on the comedy or shut down entirely. Comedians are more likely to change when you find ways to play with them instead of against them.