Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Kill • Crowd Work • Green Room

Set

Term from Standup Comedy industry explained for recruiters

A set is the main package of prepared material that a comedian performs on stage. Think of it as their collection of jokes, stories, and bits arranged in a specific order, similar to how musicians have a setlist for concerts. When someone talks about a '5-minute set' or 'headline set,' they're referring to how long the comedian performs. The length of sets can range from a few minutes at open mics to an hour or more for established comedians. Comedians typically develop and refine their sets over time through repeated performances.

Examples in Resumes

Developed and performed original Set at over 50 comedy clubs nationwide

Wrote and refined 45-minute Set for regional comedy tour

Featured Set selected for Montreal Comedy Festival showcase

Expanded Set from 15 to 30 minutes for headline opportunities

Typical job title: "Stand-up Comedians"

Also try searching for:

Comedian Comic Stand-up Artist Comedy Performer Comedy Writer

Where to Find Stand-up Comedians

Comedy Communities

Industry Resources

Example Interview Questions

Experienced Comedian Questions

Q: How do you handle difficult audiences and maintain control of your set?

Expected Answer: An experienced comedian should discuss various crowd work techniques, having backup material ready, and strategies for reading and adapting to different audience types.

Q: How do you develop and test new material for your set?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process of writing, workshopping at smaller venues, recording and reviewing performances, and gradually integrating new material into their main set.

Mid-Level Comedian Questions

Q: How do you structure your set for maximum impact?

Expected Answer: Should discuss how they arrange their material, use callbacks, pace their delivery, and build momentum throughout their performance.

Q: What's your process for timing your set accurately?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for rehearsing, timing sections, and adjusting material to fit different time slots while maintaining quality.