1. Improv skills.
If you’ve ever taken a comedy class, or really any acting class, you’ve played an improv game, at least as a warm up. Comedy as a genre is often associated with improv, but improvisational skills are crucial for any actor. As the saying goes, “the show must go on” but more often, the show must go WRONG! An unprepared scene partner, massive scenic or costume malfunctions, or any combination of bad luck can happen just before hitting the stage. Experience in improv can take any performer from a deer in the headlights to a cool and confident star on the rise.
2. Timing.
It’s all about timing. The pace of a conversation can make or break a scene, regardless of genre. Comedy courses teach timing as a fundamental skill. It’s about so much more than waiting for a laugh – perfect timing can make the difference between roaring laughter and a chuckle or a quiet tear and a standing ovation.
3. Text analysis.
The ability to recognize the nuance in text, or read between the lines, so to speak, is one of the most important skills an actor can possess. Comedy courses teach actors how to identify the driving emotions in a scene and understand the context of stylistic choices in text. Always remember, the actor that enters the audition prepared stands out to a casting team.
4. Writing skills.
Reading and writing comedy often go hand-in-hand. Whether you’re making up your lines on the spot or meticulously planning a sketch, it’s important to exercise your funny bone from the writer’s perspective. Understanding how to craft a joke can help you shape moments on the spot. Plus, as you read and write more and more material, you’ll expand your vocabulary as well as your understanding of cultural references, relationships, and societal norms, and you’ll improve your literacy skills! If you think you’re already a good reader… it’s time to get writing!
