8 Types of Audience Members We Need at Every Show

Without the audience, there would be no show. Here are eight essential types of audience members we need in the crowd night after night so the show can go on.

The Squeakers

These audience members press their lips together and let out a leaky gas-like sound as their soul slowly leaves their body. The same type of “pshhhh” sound you’d hear if you accidentally kicked the hot water tank while playing hide and seek with your grandfather. It’s an indication that whatever you’re doing on stage just isn’t cutting it for them and that you need to edit quickly or raise the stakes.

The Last Breath-Takers

They are literally taking their last breath, as they’d rather die than continue watching your show. Expect to hear this loud exhale right around the time one of your team members decides to play the “this is how we role play during sex” game or when someone reveals they were undercover the whole time. These audience members are helpful, as they help to indicate that what they’re seeing has already been done 1,000,000 times and dying would be a better option. It’s a notification for you and your team to quickly edit the scene and start something new.

The Repeaters

They literally repeat the last line that was said on stage. Out loud. They’ll do this throughout the entirety of the show. As if there was an echo. Or you were performing inside of a cavernous grotto. Afterwards, you’ll most likely see these people receiving praise in the hallway from the other audience members. “Thanks so much for recapping that laugh line during the second beat. I missed it. That was so funny!”

The Confused

They don’t know what’s going on or what’s happening at all. You’ll be able to easily identify them by determining which direction the audible “HUH?” is coming from after any given game or  scene. These folks are great for notifying you and your team that you need to be more specific. Or to stop the show entirely and explain what your ensemble is doing.

The HAs!

A single “HA” can do your show wonders. These people are letting the rest of the audience know that what was just said was intended to get a laugh. They are the human equivalent of an “applause” sign for a live studio audience. Brain dead audience members falling in and out of consciousness will resurge back to life, which will then travel across the audience much like The Wave did at your cousin’s graduation last spring.

The Chit-Chatters

These people talk about their day and current life stressors to their friend throughout the entire performance. They did not come to watch a show, but instead to be in an environment where they are surrounded by other people. If your team is running low on creative fuel, make sure to send out one of your team members out into the house as a plant to sit and jot down some notes.

The All-Knowers

They have the Answers to all of the Questions. ALL OF THEM. Throughout the show, they’ll chime in and help to fill in the blanks of who, what, where and when for any vague scenarios that might be taking place. They’ll leave no stone unturned and no character unnamed as they help put the pieces of your show together. If your partner comes out with an accent or a political impression, expect this audience member to quickly shout out, “that’s Donald Trump!” which will cue the audience to laugh uproariously. Without these audience members, your show will undoubtedly drag on through a haze of fog and confusion.

The Funnier Than Yous

These are the people who are legitimately funnier than you and your entire ensemble. They’ll utter out bits throughout the show that keep the audience going when your team’s spirit has died and left the building. Feel free to turn to them throughout the show for inspiration, as they know the ins and outs of comedy because they read Mad Magazine growing up. Following the show, there’s a good chance you’ll be cut from your team and that person will replace you.

Ryan Nallen is an actor, writer and improviser in Chicago. He is a graduate of iO, The Second City Conservatory and the Annoyance Theater.