Riffing
Riffing is a key skill in standup comedy where performers create spontaneous, unscripted humor by commenting on situations, audience members, or events in real-time. It's like having a natural conversation with the audience, but funnier. When comedians "riff," they're coming up with jokes on the spot rather than using pre-written material. This skill is particularly valuable because it shows a comedian can think quickly and adapt to any situation. Similar terms include "crowd work," "improvising," or "working the room." It's different from rehearsed standup routines and demonstrates a comedian's ability to be naturally funny in the moment.
Examples in Resumes
Developed strong riffing skills through 200+ live performances
Known for expert crowd work and riffing at major comedy clubs
Featured performer specializing in riffing and audience interaction
Typical job title: "Comedy Performers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Comedy Performers
Online Communities
Industry Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Headliner Level Questions
Q: How do you handle difficult audience members while riffing?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in defusing tense situations, turning negative interactions into comedy, and maintaining control of the room while keeping the show entertaining for everyone.
Q: How do you develop new riffing material from crowd interactions?
Expected Answer: Should explain process of recognizing patterns in successful crowd interactions, developing reliable techniques, and turning spontaneous moments into refined material for future shows.
Feature Level Questions
Q: What's your approach to reading a room before starting crowd work?
Expected Answer: Should describe methods for gauging audience energy, identifying good candidates for interaction, and adapting their style to match the venue and crowd.
Q: How do you transition between prepared material and riffing?
Expected Answer: Should explain techniques for smooth transitions, maintaining show momentum, and knowing when to return to scripted material.
Open Mic Level Questions
Q: What basic crowd work techniques have you practiced?
Expected Answer: Should show understanding of simple audience interaction techniques like asking basic questions and making obvious observations about audience members.
Q: How do you prepare for possible audience interactions?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate awareness of common audience types and basic preparation for standard interactions like handling common jobs, relationships, or hometown questions.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic audience interaction
- Simple observational humor
- Stage presence fundamentals
- Basic crowd reading skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Smooth transitions between material
- Effective crowd work
- Quick situational humor
- Handling difficult audiences
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced crowd manipulation
- Creating lasting crowd interactions
- Teaching/mentoring others
- Turning riffs into polished material
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to interact naturally with audience
- Relies too heavily on prepared material
- Poor timing when reading audience reactions
- Cannot handle unexpected situations
- Inappropriate or offensive crowd work
Related Terms
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