1. Comedy: Vaudeville acts often included comedians who performed stand-up routines, sketches, and comical monologues. These comedians aimed to make the audience laugh and were often known for their witty jokes and funny characters.
2. Music and Dance: Vaudeville shows frequently featured musical performances, including solo singers, bands, and dance numbers. Musicians played instruments like the piano, violin, banjo, and saxophone. Dancers performed various styles such as tap dance, soft shoe, acrobatic dance, and more.
3. Acrobatics and Aerial Acts: Vaudeville stages were often graced by acrobats and performers who showcased their impressive skills in tumbling, juggling, and contortion acts. High-wire acts, trapeze artists, and aerial performers thrilled audiences with their daring performances.
4. Skits and Short Plays: Vaudeville shows also incorporated short plays, skits, and acts involving humorous situations and witty dialogues. These mini performances featured actors and actresses enacting comedic scenes and poking fun at contemporary society.
5. Ventriloquism: Acts involving ventriloquism, where performers would manipulate a dummy or doll using their voices, were a common part of vaudeville shows. Ventriloquists would engage in conversations with their dummies, creating humorous situations and showcasing their skill in voice manipulation.
6. Magic and Illusions: Vaudeville stages were often home to magicians and illusionists who performed tricks, sleight-of-hand, and grand illusions. These performers mystified audiences with their skills and showcased their mastery of deception and surprise.
7. Novelty Acts: Vaudeville shows also included unusual or unique acts collectively referred to as "novelty acts." These could range from performances by animal trainers with their performing animals to acts that displayed specific skills, such as rapid-fire juggling, unusual instruments, or feats of strength.
These forms of entertainment often overlapped, and vaudeville acts were known for their variety and ability to cater to the diverse tastes of the audience. The lively atmosphere and the showcase of talent made vaudeville a beloved form of entertainment during its peak era, which spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries.