PERFORmer AUDITIONS FOR KICKSTAND produced programming July 2025

Link to sign up for TEAMS - Deadline to sign up: Wednesday July 23rd at Midnight

Team Auditions will be held Sunday July 27th from 5pm-9pm and Thursday July 31st from 7pm-10pm

TEAM AUDITIONS will need to participate in the Team Audition shows. Teams will have 15 minutes to perform. Teams may also submit a recording of a recent performance for consideration. Your team audition does NOT count toward individual opportunities. If you’d like to participate in both, you will need to participate in both auditions!

Link to sign up for INDIVIDUALS - Deadline to sign up: Friday July 25th at Midnight

Individual Auditions will be held Saturday July 26th from 10am-5pm and Sunday August 3rd from 1pm-5pm

INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES (Featured Show Runs, Harold Teams, and Aardvark) Auditions will happen in 30 minute slots in groups of 8-10. Performers will warm up together then perform scenes inspired from a one word suggestion. 

Each performance opportunity offers a different level of commitment and asks for varying levels of experience. Friday and Saturday shows (Big Dogs & Show Runs) will be for more experienced performers with the expectation of a more polished product that brings in larger audiences and will receive compensation in the form of stipends. Thursday night shows (Velodrome, Aardvark and Harold) are considered part of our development process, and thus do not receive compensation, and may be asked to pay dues to cover costs. Kickstand will be providing rehearsal space when possible, marketing materials, and other forms of support. We will be working hard to set everyone up for success, so we ask for your patience and collaboration. We will provide opportunities for feedback and discussion as we evolve and grow our programming.

Commitment: Each opportunity asks for varying commitment lengths between 3 and 6 months. At the end of the initial run, if performers or teams wish to extend their run, they must re-submit and audition again. It is at the discretion of the Programming Team as to when teams and performers may not be invited back to allow new opportunities to our community.

ALL PERFORMERS are required to follow Kickstand’s Non-Harassment Policy and the Community Accountability Policy, anyone failing to follow these policies may lose their performance privileges at Kickstand

PREREQUISITES FOR ALL OPPORTUNITIES: We ask that all improvisers submitting to have successfully completed Kickstand’s Level 3 Improv Class or equivalent at another theater/training center.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: Performers who can improvise in Kickstand's Improv style: a blend of iO patient, relationship-driven,emotionally affected and empathetic play and UCB style game of the scene. Skills include:

• Establishing a base reality and ability to perform grounded scenework

• Ability to develop game of the scene organically and collaboratively

• Ability to pull and initiate premise from an opening

• Ability to listen, find agreement on the “unusual” and make “on-game” moves to heighten

• Ability to follow the fun/game/relationship/characters (rather than only following narrative plot points)

• Ability to justify a character’s POV 

• Ability to playing both sides of a scene - as the “Absurd POV” as well as the “Voice of Reason”

• Supportive play with your scene partner and group, make each other look good!

• Empathy and caring in your choices

• Performance, on stage presence, acting ability

• When casting we look to prioritize Female, LGBTQIA+, and BI/POC performers

INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES

FEATURED SHOW RUNS

Cast of improvisers that perform in limited run of a show directed by faculty or other community members.

Runs that will be cast from these auditions:

1. The Improvised Movie directed by Paul Stein

2. Friction, a deconstruction inspired by relationships, directed by Adam Trabka 

3. Additional runs are being finalized and will be updated on this form as they are confirmed

• Who is this for?: Experienced improvisers who have been performing for multiple years looking for a semi-professional, short term, and consistent performance commitment.

• Slots available: ~8 performers per show depending on concept. 3-4 shows over ~6 months.

• Show Time: Varying depending on show. Fridays or Saturdays for 4 shows within 2 months.

• Commitment: 5 rehearsals, 1 dress rehearsal, and 4 shows, to be scheduled with your director.

• Rehearsals: Weekly, then as determined by cast/director

• Rehearsal space: Kickstand provided

• Recommended Experience: Performing improv for multiple years. Performed with a team for an extended period of time. Completion of Kickstand level 4 or equivalent at theater with similar style.

• Compensation: Ensemble performers will receive stipend of $40 for the run of shows and receive one free Widmer drink or Non-Alcoholic beverage per show. Performers will also receive 2-for-1 ticket coupons to distribute as they please.

HAROLD SKILL TEAMS

Teams of improvisers formed by Kickstand to develop rising talent within our community to perform a Thursday night Harold show twice a month.

• Who is this for?:  Anyone looking for an opportunity to develop skills and be on a regularly rehearsing team. Improv students, performers newer to improv who maybe haven’t had a chance to form a team yet, and seasoned performers who may be newer to the Kickstand style of improv.

• Slots available: 24 (3 teams)

• Show Time: 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 8:30pm, 8:00pm call. All 3 teams will perform at every show.

• Commitment: 4 month run. Will perform a 20-25 minute Harold set twice a month.

• Form: Harold (opening and style decided by team and coach)

• Rehearsals: Weekly, with 4th week of each month reserved for team bonding activities without coach. Day and time varies by coach.

• Coach: Kickstand appointed. Teams will contribute dues to support the coach totalling $30/month per person. Scholarship assistance may be available based on need.

• Rehearsal space: Kickstand provided

• Required Experience: Completion of Kickstand Improv Level 4 or equivalent (Understanding of the Harold form, game and relationship based, not narrative/story driven). Those who have been cast in past Harold teams will not be eligible to be cast again.

• Compensation: One free Widmer drink or Non-Alcoholic beverage per show. Performers will also receive 2-for-1 ticket coupons to distribute as they please.

SECRET AARDVARK ENSEMBLE

Cast of improvisers of varying experience levels performing in Thursday night show 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

Who is this for?: Improvisers who are seeking more performance opportunities without committing to rehearsals. Seeking a mix of experienced and developing players.

Slots available: 48 (24 per 3 month run)

Show Time: 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 8:30 pm

Commitment: 3 months, performing in 2 shows per month.

Form: Montage

Rehearsals: None

Required Experience: Completion of Kickstand Improv Level 3 or equivalent.

Compensation: Performers will receive 2-for-1 ticket coupons to distribute as they please.

TEAM OPPORTUNITIES

BIG DOGS TEAMS

Independently established teams that will perform on alternating weekly Saturday night double bill, with rotating host/headliner.

Who is this for?: Teams that have formed independently and wish to make a long term consistent performance commitment.

Slots available: 4

Show Time: Saturdays at 7 pm, call time 6:30 pm.

Commitment: 6 month run. Perform a 20-25 minute set and host once per month.

Form: Determined by teams.

Rehearsals: Coordinated by team, recommended to rehearse at least twice a month.

Coach: Chosen and coordinated by team

Rehearsal space: Kickstand provided if space is available

Requirements: Minimum of 2 performers on the team. Regularly practicing with a coach.

Compensation: Team will receive stipend of $40 per show to be distributed evenly among team members. One free Widmer drink or Non-Alcoholic beverage per show. Performers will also receive 2-for-1 ticket coupons to distribute as they please.

VELODROME ANCHOR TEAMS

Independently established teams that will host and perform on Thursday night indie showcase, The Velodrome.

Who is this for?: Teams that have formed independently looking to develop their hosting skills, have a consistent performance slot, and gain experience in booking teams/producing a show.

Slots available: 4

Show Time: Thursdays at 7 pm, call time 6:30 pm.

Commitment: 6 month run. Perform a 20-25 minute set and host Velodrome once a month. Must book one opening team for each show.

Form: Determined by teams.

Rehearsals: Coordinated by team, recommended to rehearse at least twice a month.

Coach: Chosen and coordinated by team

Rehearsal space: Not provided

Requirements: Minimum of 3 performers on the team. Regularly practicing with a coach.

Compensation: One free Widmer drink or Non-Alcoholic beverage per show. Performers will also receive 2-for-1 ticket coupons to distribute as they please.