Alternative

Alternative comedy is any comedy that differs from traditional standup. An alternative gig may include spots from musical acts, characters, clowns or particularly weird/ surreal standups.

Bio

A short statement that describes you as a comedian. It is usually written in 3rd person. It might reference your writing style, or how you perform. It is usually used to promote the gig. E.g. for a poster.

Bringer

Gig that requires the acts to bring an audience member - generally only in London

Bucket split

Often a Pay ‘What You Want Gig’ where the acts each get a split of the money made at the end

Closer

The act that goes last on at a gig, often the most high profile act, getting paid most on the lineup and often doing the longest set. AKA the Headliner

Clip

A video of a previous set. Promoters often appreciate it being a video that’s the same length to the spot you are applying for. It is best to send a video as a link so they don’t need to download anything. Google Drives and unlisted YouTube videos can be great for this.

Compère

The Compère hosts the show and announces the acts, they should make the audience feel ready for a good show often by using crowd work. AKA the MC

Corporate

A corporate gig is a show put on for a company. These are considered tricky gigs so are usually well paid so not for new acts.

Crowd Work

When an act, often the compère, chats with individual people in the audience.

CV

A list of some of the gigs you have done, it’s useful for promoters to see what level you’re working at.

Doubling

Doing two gigs in one night.

Email

If a gig requires an email to apply for a spot you should generally include a brief description of your act, a link to a video of a previous set and a brief comedy CV and any quotes you have. This may not be necessary if you have worked with that promotor before. Also worth noting a lot of promoters don’t reply to people unsuccessful in getting the spot just because they can get so many applications.

Gong show

This is a competition format show where acts perform until selected audience members vote them off.

Headliner

The closer of a pro or semi-pro gig.

Host

Same as the compère.

Light

Often a light is used to show how much time you have left, you might be asked when you want it. E.g 9 minutes through a 10 minute set so you know to start wrapping up.

MC

Same as the compère.

Middle

The middle spot is (surprisingly) the act that goes in the middle section of the show. Usually doing a shorter set than the opener and closer. Middle spots are often considered the easiest so generally the least experienced or lowest profile act will go here, or sometimes experienced acts trying new stuff will go here.

New Act Night

A gig which gives a place for newer acts to perform and gain more experience. Often, the audience will be told that the gig is a new act night. New act nights are often combined with new material nights.

New Material Night

A gig where comedians get the chance to test out new material. The audience is usually informed that it's a new material night, so they're more open to hearing jokes that may not land perfectly.

Opener

The act that goes on first at a gig (not including the MC)

Open mic

A gig accessible to anyone of any experience, often that you can sign up to on the night however some pre book acts. Not all open mics are for comedy so make sure you check as mixed open mics mostly featuring music and poetry can be difficult for comedians.

Open Spot

Generally a newer act doing an unpaid/ low paid short spot often on pro/semi-prol gigs.

Pay to Play

A gig which requires you to pay money to perform - generally only in London.

PWYW (Pay What You Want)

PWYW (Pay What You Want) gigs are usually ‘Bucket Split’ gigs. The audience can choose to pay as much, or as little as they want to, typically based on how much they enjoyed the show.

Preview

One of the final run-throughs of a show, often before it goes on tour or to a festival. Often clubs will offer preview spots in June or July to acts heading to the Edinburgh Fringe. These spots are normally 45 minutes-1 hour. As it is a preview tickets are normally cheaper.

Pro Night

A gig where the majority of comics are professional comedians. All the acts may be professionals, but they may also have a comic doing a ‘trial spot’. These gigs are not appropriate for new comedians.

Progression

If a gig says possible progression it means that if the promoter likes your act, they may book you for a longer/ better paid spot in future.

Promotor

The person that runs the gig and books the acts.

Quote

A reference to your performance, generally from a reviewer, a promoter or higher profile act. Good to include in gig applications.

Roast battle

A gig where instead of performing sets acts perform roast (jokey insults) at eachother often with a competition format.

Show Up Go Up

A night where spots are assigned to acts who are there on the night.

Stayer

A gig which requires you to stay the entire length of the gig.

Tight 5

A slick, well rehearsed 5 minute set.

Tour support

The act that opens the show for a touring comic. Generally they do at least 20 minutes so not for brand new acts. Sometimes this is called the “warm up” act.

Trial Spot

A trial spot is where often a newer act will do a fairly short set to showcase their act with the intention to move onto longer/ better paid spots for that promotor.  This is mostly for acts breaking into paid spots so not for brand new people.

Video

Same as a Clip.

Walk on music

The music you will walk on to. If a gig lets you choose your own make sure you like the song introduction as this is probably what they’ll use. It sets the tone for your set so don’t choose a sad song unless that’s the energy you want.

WIP (Work in Progress)

An early, unfinished version of a show. Generally around 45 minutes-1 hour. The audience should know it is a WIP so tickets will normally be cheaper and they shouldn’t be expecting a perfect show.