--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you improvise, you work off the…" description: "\"When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the audience, but when you step on stage to do stand up, it's silent. But most of the time the audienc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aae/aubrey-plaza-8297_drunk-people_when-you-improvise-you-work-off-the-laug_265335.jpg" --- # When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the… ![“When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the audience, but when you step on stage to do stand up, it's silent. But most of the time the audience wants you to succeed. Unless you do a show for a bunch of drunk people who want to make fun of you-then you kind of have to throw your set out…” quote by Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aae/aubrey-plaza-8297_drunk-people_when-you-improvise-you-work-off-the-laug_265335.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aae/aubrey-plaza-8297_drunk-people_when-you-improvise-you-work-off-the-laug_265335.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aae/aubrey-plaza-8297_drunk-people_when-you-improvise-you-work-off-the-laug_265335.jpg) > “When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the audience, but when you step on stage to do stand up, it's silent. But most of the time the audience wants you to succeed. Unless you do a show for a bunch of drunk people who want to make fun of you-then you kind of have to throw your set out the window and just deal with what's in front of you.” [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Improvisation thrives on audience feedback, yet stand‑up demands confidence despite silence, highlighting the tension between spontaneity and preparation. **In simple terms:** Comedy needs both audience cues and personal resolve. Key Takeaway Embrace silence, adapt, and deliver. Themes comedy performance confidence adaptation audience dynamics Mood anxious determined reflective Type motivational practical inspirational When to use this quote - first‑time stand‑up - open‑mic nights - crowd‑controlled shows - creative blocks - live feedback Key Concepts improvisation theory stagecraft psychology of humor Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help you stay present? - How do you convert nervous energy into material? A Different Perspective Silence can paralyze even seasoned performers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience-step-2606964/) [Audience Wants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience-wants/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Drunk people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drunk-people/) [Improvise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvise/) [Improvise Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvise-work-2606963/) [Laughs Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughs-audience-2606962/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the audience, but when you step on stage to do standup, it's silent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/when-you-improvise-you-work-off-the-laughs-from-the-audience-but-when-2/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [Without the laughs, the audience wouldn't be there at all, so in that sense, yes, I am a comedian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/without-the-laughs-the-audience-wouldn-t-be-there-at-all-so-in-that/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Here's a tip for all you aspiring young comics: Don't beat up the customers. It is very difficult to get laughs from an audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/here-s-a-tip-for-all-you-aspiring-young-comics-don-t-beat-up-the/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I'll make a nice mom one day, drunk people are good practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ll-make-a-nice-mom-one-day-drunk-people-are-good-practice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's progress I think, that science has joined philosophy, metaphysics & religion as subjects drunk people argue about in bars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/it-s-progress-i-think-that-science-has-joined-philosophy-metaphysics/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Drunk people are the only honest ones left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/drunk-people-are-the-only-honest-ones-left/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Drunk people don't even realize that they getting hypothermia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/drunk-people-don-t-even-realize-that-they-getting-hypothermia/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hate talking to drunk people when I'm sober.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-talking-to-drunk-people-when-i-m-sober/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only difference between those who are drunk and those who are not is that, Drunk people talk openly and Others just behave they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-only-difference-between-those-who-are-drunk-and-those-who-are-not/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“Drunk people, loud people, obvious and angry people, people stammering and stumbling, spilling drinks and scarfing small burned sausages and cheese cubes on toothpicks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/drunk-people-loud-people-obvious-and-angry-people-people-stammering/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Listening to drunk people while being sober is entertaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/listening-to-drunk-people-while-being-sober-is-entertaining/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Drunk people and expensive clothes do not mix.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/drunk-people-and-expensive-clothes-do-not-mix/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“watched as they flashed clips of people dancing, bartenders fixing whatever drink was en vogue, and a montage of interviews with delighted patrons. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-lynn-natusch/watched-as-they-flashed-clips-of-people-dancing-bartenders-fixing/) [Amber Lynn Natusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-lynn-natusch/) > [Drunk people suck when they're not me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/drunk-people-suck-when-they-re-not-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's a lot of people who don't understand the touring and the party scene and it's like, go to bed late, wake up early,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hughes/there-s-a-lot-of-people-who-don-t-understand-the-touring-and-the/) [Sam Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hughes/) ## More by Aubrey Plaza > [A lot of independent films offer a harsh reality check.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/a-lot-of-independent-films-offer-a-harsh-reality-check/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I think being on a TV show is amazing but also, people get kind of used to seeing you a certain way and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-think-being-on-a-tv-show-is-amazing-but-also-people-get-kind-of/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [Make all your decisions based on how hilarious it would be if you did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/make-all-your-decisions-based-on-how-hilarious-it-would-be-if-you-did/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I want people to like me but not at my expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-want-people-to-like-me-but-not-at-my-expense/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I'm not, like, Daniel Day Lewis. Yet. I will get there!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-m-not-like-daniel-day-lewis-yet-i-will-get-there/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [It would be hilarious if I worked in a bowling alley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/it-would-be-hilarious-if-i-worked-in-a-bowling-alley/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I realized two things from an early age - I was insane and had some kind of comedic thing going on. My brain was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-realized-two-things-from-an-early-age-i-was-insane-and-had-some/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I was like the only diverse kid in my high school, and I'm half-Puerto Rican. But yeah, I have a huge family and tons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-was-like-the-only-diverse-kid-in-my-high-school-and-i-m-half-puerto/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [If I have the option, I always read the paper or a book or something I can touch and destroy in my own hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/if-i-have-the-option-i-always-read-the-paper-or-a-book-or-something-i/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I always want to keep growing and keep surprising people, and showing them different parts of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-always-want-to-keep-growing-and-keep-surprising-people-and-showing/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [It's weird, huh? It's like the minute you kinda give up control you just know what to do without doing anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/it-s-weird-huh-it-s-like-the-minute-you-kinda-give-up-control-you/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [My first boyfriend that I ever had, actually sang a song that he wrote for me on-stage to ask me out. That was pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/my-first-boyfriend-that-i-ever-had-actually-sang-a-song-that-he-wrote/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I've always wanted to do all kinds of roles, dramatic roles and comedic roles, all kinds of roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-all-kinds-of-roles-dramatic-roles-and/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [When I'm on the couch, I usually have the TV on and my MacBook Air nearby. And sometimes, when my ADD is really kicking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/when-i-m-on-the-couch-i-usually-have-the-tv-on-and-my-macbook-air/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I want to go to New Zealand. I have no idea what it's like, and in my head, everyone lives in/on an ice lake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-want-to-go-to-new-zealand-i-have-no-idea-what-it-s-like-and-in-my/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) [Explore all 82 Aubrey Plaza quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) ## More Comedy quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I wouldn't want people to laugh at me. That's why I have to give all that I can, and at least produce something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/i-wouldn-t-want-people-to-laugh-at-me-that-s-why-i-have-to-give-all/) [Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/) > [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [“Laugh and grow strong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/laugh-and-grow-strong/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [Oh to that corkscrew, the useful tool to unlock the treasure of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/oh-to-that-corkscrew-the-useful-tool-to-unlock-the-treasure-of-wit/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I do love to laugh!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-do-love-to-laugh/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Browse all 19,795 Comedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you improvise, you work off the laughs from the audience, but when you step on stage to do stand up, it's silent. But most of the time the audience wants you to succeed. 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