Dos and Don’ts: Inside Jokes

By Mike Scalise on Jan 14, 2009 in Dos and Don'ts, Featured

On selected Thursdays, ACB Production Manager Mike Scalise makes his recommendations on a cappella performance in a DO and DON’T format.

DON’T: Use inside jokes to enhance a show.

DO: Use current events and popular jokes throughout a show.

A common practice among a cappella groups, especially groups hosting competitions, is to fill the time before the show, between group performances, and during the judges’ deliberations, with jokes and skits. It’s a nice change of pace and it can make for a really great show. However, while group members may understand the jokes, or the change in lyrics in a song, many of the audience members–specifically visitors to the institution–may not. Telling a joke that no one understands tends to hurt a group’s image. So save the song about “Nutcase,” the famous campus squirrel who once ate a student, for campus show. Instead, talk about current events, or make a joke or two about college life–something the entire audience can relate to.

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