| Which is funnier: the script or the performer? This old | | | | okay script into something amazing. |
| question causes headaches among all HI performers | | | | Remember, scripts were created not to be read but |
| as they search for a script. Do you look for something | | | | to be performed. The performance factor may be |
| that is funny as you read it? Should you think about | | | | huge. For instance, "Pirates of Penzance" is |
| how it would be performed and see if the | | | | moderately funny on paper; live, and with capable |
| performance adds any humor? How does timing and | | | | performers, it can be one of the most delightful |
| characterization affect the funny? All of these | | | | comedy, operas you can see. |
| questions weigh upon an HI performer. Drama can | | | | And if you think that how well you rank is linked directly |
| often be easy to determine whether or not it is a good | | | | proportionally to how many chuckles you get you are |
| piece to perform. Did it make you think and arouse the | | | | wrong. There is more to ponder when you begin to |
| emotions? Yes? Then you have a selection. Humor | | | | perform in HI. Sure, people should laugh at your |
| can be more difficult because everyone's definition of | | | | performance. That's why you are doing comedy and |
| what is funny, tasteful, or poignant is all different. Thus, | | | | not drama. However, laughter is not the only factor |
| most HI performers find themselves looking for a piece | | | | that is being judged. There are characterization, |
| that is funny on paper in the hopes that a funny script | | | | interpretation, popping, vocals, gestures, how clean your |
| is the answer to success. Sorry. That philosophy is | | | | performance is, and more to consider when ranks are |
| simply not true. | | | | involved. |
| In the realm of comedy there are numerous ways to | | | | A factor you may not have considered is the |
| get a laugh and ranked well. A script should have built | | | | substance of the piece. You could be the funniest |
| in funny lines, or situations, so as you read you can | | | | performer in the round, but if your performance offers |
| laugh at the script itself. This is comedy after all. Most | | | | little substance you may not win over your judges. |
| often when a script is not amusing on paper it most | | | | You want them to laugh, but you also want to touch |
| likely will be less amusing to the audience. There are | | | | their core and move them. |
| exceptions, but on the whole if a script has not caused | | | | So back to the original question: which is funnier, the |
| you to even smile it should be tossed. | | | | script or the performer? It all is a matter of the |
| There are situations where the script itself is "cute" | | | | appropriate balance of both along with the detailing of |
| and causes mild laughter but you may be unsure if it is | | | | external variables that affect an HI (interpretation, clean |
| the riot you wish to bring to Forensics. In situations such | | | | pops, vocals, etc). Every piece will be different based |
| as this it is good to imagine the performance. What | | | | on the material and performer combination. Where one |
| can you do with timing, characterization, voices, | | | | performer may excel another may fall. Know your |
| popping, etc to bring this to life? Imagine possibilities and | | | | abilities and style of humor and look for a piece that |
| think about how the performance factor can turn an | | | | accentuates them. User discretion is advised. |