ad-libbers
Unscripted speech makers
Ad-libbers are people who improvise—speaking, performing, or acting without a script or preparation.
The term comes from ad-lib, itself from the Latin phrase meaning "at pleasure." A skilled ad-libber can fill dead air, rescue a forgotten line, or riff on unexpected situations: The best late-night hosts are natural ad-libbers.
Those creating spontaneously
- actorsThose playing roles
- theatreArt of staged performance
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- spontaneousArising without external cause
performers · stage · extemporaneous · unrehearsed · winging it · off-the-cuff · improv troupe · sketch
Those creating spontaneously
- comediansPerformers who provoke laughter
- stand-upSolo comedic performance
- riffingImprovising musical phrases
- timingArt of choosing moments
wit · punchlines · callbacks · roasting · one-liners · zingers · comic timing · quick wit
Done without advance preparation
- speakersAudio output devices
- presentersThose who deliver information
- unscriptedNot pre-written
- spontaneousArising without external cause
quick-thinking · articulate · silver-tongued · glib · politicians · debaters · interviewers · talk show hosts
Players of improvisational American music
- soloistsFeatured individual musicians
- scattingImprovised nonsense singing
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
riffing · improvisation · bebop · solos · vamping · noodling · embellishment · variations
improvisers
Those creating spontaneously
- actorsThose playing roles
- theatreArt of staged performance
- unscriptedNot pre-written
spontaneous · performers · stage · extemporaneous · unrehearsed · winging it · off-the-cuff · improv troupe · sketch · scene work
improvisers
Those creating spontaneously
- comediansPerformers who provoke laughter
- stand-upSolo comedic performance
- riffingImprovising musical phrases
timing · wit · punchlines · callbacks · roasting · one-liners · zingers · comic timing · quick wit · deadpan
extemporaneous
Done without advance preparation
- speakersAudio output devices
- presentersThose who deliver information
- unscriptedNot pre-written
spontaneous · quick-thinking · articulate · silver-tongued · glib · politicians · debaters · interviewers · talk show hosts · toastmasters
jazz musicians
Players of improvisational American music
- soloistsFeatured individual musicians
- scattingImprovised nonsense singing
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
jamming · riffing · improvisation · bebop · solos · vamping · noodling · embellishment · variations · cadenzas