Live comedy comes in many forms—some nights you get a polished performance, some nights you witness an aspiring comedian bombing spectacularly at an open mic, and some nights you sit in a workshop realizing that writing jokes is much harder than you thought.
Knowing the difference between a show, an open mic, a workshop, a podcast, and a tech rehearsal is essential. Labeling an event correctly sets the right expectations—so let’s break it all down!
🎭 Comedy Shows vs. Open Mics: What’s the Difference?
What Is a Comedy Show?
A comedy show is a curated, polished performance featuring booked entertainers who know what they’re doing (or at least fake it really well).
Key Features:
✔️ A lineup of selected performers
✔️ Material that’s been tested and refined
✔️ Audiences expect to be entertained
🔹 Audience role: Sit back, laugh, cheer, and maybe enjoy an adult beverage
🔹 Performer role: Do your best set—this is not the time to test that “brilliant new joke” you wrote five minutes ago.
Example: A stand-up showcase with guest comics, a feature, and a headliner, or a sketch comedy show.
💡 Mislabeling danger: If you advertise an open mic as a “show,” audience members might expect professional performances but end up watching five back-to-back first-timers.
🎤 What Is an Open Mic?
An open mic is an informal event where anyone can grab the mic—whether they’re a seasoned performer testing new material or a first-timer just hoping not to pass out.
Key Features:
✔️ First-come, first-served signup (or sometimes a lottery drawing)
✔️ A mix of experience levels
✔️ A very unpredictable experience (for better or worse)
🔹 Audience role: Supportive and patient (hopefully). Don’t heckle—these folks are trying!
🔹 Performer role: Embrace the chaos. This is where you experiment, bomb, and grow.
Example: A stand-up comedy open mic with a host who introduces each act and maintains order. Often casual with some fun bantering between sets.
Open Mic with Feedback vs. Traditional Open Mic
Some open mics include peer feedback, offering quick critiques after sets.. These aren’t full-blown workshops, but they do offer a reality check when your “hilarious” bit about gluten-free toast flops.
✔️ Peer-feedback open mic: Performers receive optional critique from fellow artists.
✔️ Traditional open mic: No structured feedback—just pure, unfiltered audience reaction in the form of laughs, applause, or silence.
💡 Mislabeling danger: Calling an open mic a “show” makes attending audience members think they’re getting pro-level talent. Instead, they might witness someone’s very first attempt at stand-up and be highly annoyed or disappointed.
Learn more about hosting an online open mic. Or learn about the importance of open mics in a comedian's journey to success.
📚 Workshops & Classes: Learning Before the Spotlight
A workshop or class is an educational event where performers work on their craft under guided instruction. Unlike shows and open mics, these are not performances—they’re learning environments.
Key Features:
✔️ Led by an experienced instructor
✔️ Structured exercises and feedback
✔️ Participants learn (questions, answers, lectures), rather than just perform
🔹 Audience role: Trick question—there is no audience! Everyone is there to learn.
🔹 Performer role: Listen, participate, and don’t be that person who just monologues about their “comedy genius” for an hour. <Insert eyeroll>
Example: A stand-up writing class, an improv workshop, or a comedy performance course (for those who realize reading jokes out loud might not be enough).
Classes & Workshops with a Syllabus vs. Peer-Feedback Open Mics
A peer-feedback open mic and a workshop might sound similar, but they’re very different:
✔️ Classes & Workshops have a syllabus—a structured learning plan
✔️ Classes & Workshops have an instructor who provides expert guidance
✔️ Classes & Workshops involve exercises and lessons—not just performing and hoping for the best.
💡 Mislabeling danger: Calling a class a “workshop” can confuse people who expect stage time but instead get a deep dive into joke structure.
Learn the 10 benefits of comedy classes and learning the art of joke writing.
🎙️ Podcasts: Performing With or Without a Live Audience
A podcast is typically a recorded performance meant for on-demand listening. Some podcasts are recorded in front of a crowd, but most take place in a quiet studio.
That said, Hosts can podcast on Plauzzable with or without a live online audience. Hosts may state their preference in the event description and limit the number of registered attendees.
Key Features (as they pertain to podcasting on Plauzzable):
✔️ May be recorded before release to other platforms with/without live online audience
✔️ They may be livestreamed to YouTube directly from Plauzzable with/without live online audience
✔️ Can be scripted, improvised, or interview-based - host can include in event description
✔️ No immediate audience reaction unless a live audience is invited
🔹 Audience role: Either active listeners online or passive listeners tuning in later.
🔹 Performer role: Speak naturally but clearly, and resist the urge to multi-task
Example: A comedy podcast with host riffing on trending topics, storytelling, or a serious deep dive into niche subjects (because someone wants to hear three hours on the history of cheese).
💡 Mislabeling danger: A podcast typically isn’t a live performance unless you specify that an online audience is welcome.
Learn more about the art and science behind what makes a great podcast.
🎭 Tech Rehearsals: The Dress Rehearsal Before the Show
A tech rehearsal is a behind-the-scenes run-through ensuring lighting, sound, and staging all work properly before the actual show. Spoiler: things will go wrong.
Key Features:
✔️ Focused on technical aspects (lights, sound, timing)
✔️ May involve partial or full performances
✔️ Not meant for a general audience—this is strictly prep work
🔹 Audience role: There shouldn’t be one (except maybe a director looking stressed).
🔹 Performer role: Walk through the set, check cues, and make sure everything runs smoothly. Great time to check your virtual background and ensure everyone knows how to "accept" being brought to the virtual stage.
Example: A comedian testing their mic levels, a sketch comedy cast running through scene changes, or a host making sure they know how to mute a potential heckler).
💡 Mislabeling danger: Calling a tech rehearsal a “show” will leave audiences very confused when they arrive to see a sound guy mumbling, “Check, check… is my mic on? Am I on mute?”
Learn more about the importance of tech rehearsals for online comedians.
🚨 Why Labeling Matters
Getting the terminology right prevents confusion, frustration, and awkward situations:
❌ “Wait, I thought this was a show?” – Audience members at an open mic, regretting their ticket purchase.
❌ “I thought I’d be performing, not taking notes?” – Someone who signed up for a workshop thinking it was an open mic.
❌ “Why are these two people just talking about cheese and their trip to the grocery store?” – Someone who signed up for a podcast thinking it was a standup show.
❌ “Why are they just adjusting lights?” – Someone who showed up to a tech rehearsal by accident.
When labeled correctly:
✅ Shows give audiences a great experience
✅ Open mics help performers experiment
✅ Workshops provide structured learning
✅ Podcasts aren’t confused for standard shows
✅ Tech rehearsals run smoothly (hopefully)
So whether you’re booking an event, attending a performance, or nervously clutching a microphone for the first time—know what you’re walking into! The right label makes all the difference.
Ready to Perform or Attend?
Find comedy shows, open mics, workshops, and more on Plauzzable! Sign up today and experience live entertainment the right way.
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