Comedy Quote by Jason Robert Brown
“Comedy is drama. I think that if your characters are feeling something that is very real, then they have to respond in a way that feels real to them, and some situations, the only response you could possibly have is to respond in a way that's so extreme that people are going to laugh.”
About This Quote
Comedy arises when authentic emotional stakes provoke exaggerated reactions that expose absurdity, making the audience laugh at the truth of extreme behavior.
In simple terms: Real emotions can trigger absurd responses that are funny.
Authenticity fuels humor through exaggeration.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- stage play
- screenwriting
- improv comedy
- satirical sketch
- drama workshop
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- writing scripts that balance drama and comedy
- teaching actors to find humor in genuine feeling
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exaggerating a genuine feeling change audience perception?
- When does a character’s extreme reaction become comedic rather than tragic?