I’ve gathered some common answers and terms here from around the internet. Please consider to donating to Wikipedia if you find any of their resources useful. Let me know anything on the page is wrong.
Show Types
You may hear or see shows referred by these names.
Bar Show – Show done inside of a bar. Common features are audiences not knowing there is a show, TVs not being turned off, drunk patrons. These are most common, and are usually ok.
Open Mic – Performers sign up online or in person at the show. The list can be reordered by the host based on the type of open mic it is.
Outdoor Show – Related to a Bar Show, an outdoor show is outside, and if you are unlucky during the day.
Club – These are the shows that are more professionally produced.
Bringer – A show where performers are expected to sell a number of tickets to secure their spot.
Showcase – This show will not have a headliner and is usually only 2 or 3 people.
Typical Roles
This is to help get an idea on what the roles are. Different people and places do things differently sometimes. Remember you’re trusting some random internet blog this is just a best guess for the most part.
Host / Emcee : The person who goes on stage and introduces the show to the audience. This job is vital to a good show, but it is not the best spot. Essentially the host has to sacrifice themselves to get the audience to quiet down and get in the mood. Between performers they have to be quick with cogent material that links the two acts or ties the show together. Besides introducing other acts the host is also usually tasked with timing the performers and signaling them when their time is up.
Opener: The opener is the first act introduced to the audience. Unless it’s a fancy show, you will usually have people still walking in and sitting down as the opener is performing. Their main task is to get the audience comfortable in the space and feel safe to laugh.
Middle or Feature: Performers who are not the opener or the headliner.
Headliner: This is the person who’s name is on the marquee. They go on stage last, are paid the most (not all shows are paid) , and they perform the longest. When someone gets their first headlining gig it’s a big deal.
Producer, Booker, and Showrunner : These can be unique roles are can be combined into one job. Producer makes the show happen. Buy the props, ensure there are microphones etc. The Booker is the person who negotiates rates and schedules talent for a show. The Showrunner is the main person in charge. The show follows their creative vision and everything stops at their feet. An example would be to compare a big comedy club show and a bar show. A bar show will have someone who wants to run the show, they are usually going to be booking, producing, and hosting the show. At a club the booker and producer take direction from the show runner. Everyone has a distinct role.
Common Genres
- Alternative comedy which defines itself against the backdrop of mainstream comedy
- Character comedy where the comedian performs partly or throughout their set as one or more invented characters.
- Comedy music where a comedian will mostly or significantly use a music instrument or their voice within their set.
- DIY Comedy which is a “new alternative” reaction to Alternative Comedy.
- Improvised comedy where the bulk of the comedian’s material is invented on-stage, often based on information or events in the audience.
- Insult comedy based on ridiculing the audience or a ‘common enemy’, deriving humour from those outside of the insult enjoying the joke.
- Observational comedy uses normality and social norms as a type of relatable fulcrum.
- Political satire where the political figures, establishment or ideologies are subject of ridicule.
- Surreal humour often including long, meandering stories or unusual characters