ABSTRACT
Comedy technique comes so naturally to some people that timing a laugh is second nature, but even the greatest clown can be thrown by an audience's reaction. Actors have rehearsed their comedy until the original reactions they got at the read through or blocking from members of the cast or crew have long since faded, and they have almost forgotten where the big laughs might be. In performance they can come as something of a surprise, but you should be ready at all times for the ripple, chuckle, or belter and plan to ride the laugh. This simply means that without dialogue they must fill the moment naturally, with either a little business or a freeze position, as if their character has been taken by surprise and is not quite sure what to do next. There are variations galore, but whatever you do, do not utter essential dialogue during a laugh.
