corpsing
Laughing on stage
Corpsing is theatrical slang for breaking character by laughing or smiling uncontrollably during a performance.
The term likely derives from actors playing corpses who couldn't stay still.
It now applies broadly to any performer who loses composure: The blooper reel is just five minutes of the cast corpsing.
British usage predominates.
Soft, silly vocalization
- snickerStifled, scornful laugh
- chuckleLow, suppressed laugh
- guffawBoisterous burst of mirth
- breakingComing apart suddenly
cracking up · losing it · composure · uncontrollable · contagious · fit · splutter · snort
Leaving a performed identity
- flubClumsy error
- blooperEmbarrassing recorded mistake
- live performanceUnrecorded staged entertainment
- stageRaised performance platform
rehearsal · scene · take · outtake · ad-lib · ensemble · timing · cue
Professional humor performer
- scene partnerFellow actor in dialogue
- inside jokeHumor requiring shared history
- timingArt of choosing moments
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
absurdity · tension · eye contact · deadpan · high stakes · fatigue · late night · callback
giggle
Soft, silly vocalization
breaking · cracking up · losing it · composure · uncontrollable · contagious · fit · splutter · snort · trembling
breaking character
Leaving a performed identity
- flubClumsy error
- blooperEmbarrassing recorded mistake
- live performanceUnrecorded staged entertainment
stage · rehearsal · scene · take · outtake · ad-lib · ensemble · timing · cue · audience
comedian
Professional humor performer
- scene partnerFellow actor in dialogue
- inside jokeHumor requiring shared history
- timingArt of choosing moments
unexpected · absurdity · tension · eye contact · deadpan · high stakes · fatigue · late night · callback · running gag
corpsingkeeping a straight face
professionalism · discipline · concentration · immersion · deadpan
corpsingstone-faced
Revealing no expression
poker-faced · deadpan · stoic · impassive · sobbing
corpse, corporation, incorporate, corps, corporate, corporal, incorporation, corpses, incorporeal