Auditions (Fall 2024)

Sunday, Sep 8, 2024 @ 3:30 PM EDT • Free

***scroll down for more audition times***
CURRENT AVAILABLE BLOCKS:
Sunday 12:30 [2 Spots]
Sunday 2 [1 Spot]

Union Comedy is holding auditions SEPTEMBER 7 & 8 for the following:

- New Harold Teams for Friday Night Fusion (Fridays at 9pm)
- New House Teams & Additions to Existing Teams for The Weekend Show (Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30pm)

What will auditions be like?
  • Our casting board consists of Union Comedy teachers, coaches, and performers. This board will cast teams collectively.
  • A standardized audition scoring system intended to prioritize specific improv skills and limit auditor subjectivity and bias.
  • Each timeslot will have up to 8 people and last 30-minutes. Each person will perform a 2-person scene, followed by a self-edited series of scenes as a whole group. 
  • You may only attend ONE audition block.
  • If invited, callbacks will take place on Monday evening 9/9 

What are the expectations if I get cast?
  • Weekly rehearsals with a coach.  Union Comedy provides free rehearsal space either at the theater or our training center in Central Square Cambridge.
  • Regularly scheduled performances. Weekend Show Teams work with their coach to perform a longform show that fits their creative goals and sets them up for successful, entertaining shows. Friday Night Fusion teams perform the Harold. Shows are live streamed to our YouTube channel.
  • Consistent high quality improv. Teams should be able to provide an entertaining and worthwhile comedy experience for any audience, with the goal of return patrons & sold out shows on a regular basis. Throughout the season, individuals and teams will be held accountable on commitment (rehearsal and show attendance), quality (the shows are funny and fun), and consistency (the shows continually meet and/or exceed expectations). If any team proves unable to meet these expectations, Union Comedy may decide on adjustments to format, cast or coaching assignments, or retire the team at the end of that season. Teams are not guaranteed renewal at the end of a performance season.
  • Regular attendance. We expect performers to attend a minimum 75% of your team's rehearsals and shows, with the exception of unexpected events due to work, illness, and other personal reasons. Performers are expected to discuss any schedule issues with their coach. Additionally, any performer with excessive unexplained or unreasonable absences may be removed from the team. 
  • Adherence to Union Comedy's Code of Conduct. As a cast member, we expect you to maintain a professional and respectful relationship with peers, coaches and theater staff. Our full Code of Conduct can be found HERE.

What is the casting board looking for?
  • Audition scores are primarily based on 3 basic categories: How you handle your own choices, how you handle your scene partners' choices, and how you navigate the scene and show overall. We will be looking for clear proficiency in basic scene skills (yessing, listening, etc) as well as more advanced skills (character worldviews, heightening patterns, etc).
  • Are you funny? This is the X-factor in casting. Audiences come to Union Comedy to laugh, and we have high standards when it comes to our shows. If we have fun watching your audition, audiences probably will too.
  • We highly encourage you to come to the theater prior to auditioning; don't let this be your first time here. Come to a show for a better sense of what our teams do, what we're looking for, what you’re signing up for. If you come by, say hi and let us know you’re auditioning! We try to get to know everyone who's interested to getting involved at the theater. If you want to know what it's like to be ON our stage before auditions, we have an open Jam on Sundays at 5p.
Will I be getting any feedback regarding my audition?
  • The casting board does not provide individual feedback or notes on your audition. If you are interested in specific performance feedback we recommend taking a class or workshop.
I can't make this round - when will auditions happen again?
  • Auditions happen twice a year: in March and September. We may hold additional mid-season auditions, as-needed. If necessary, the theater may also make roster changes outside of the audition process. 
Additional questions? Email us at [email protected]

Whether you're a comedy fan looking for laughs or a performer hoping for stage time, we have shows for you! Union Comedy provides accessible & affordable live comedy 3 nights a week. It's way more fun than staying in scrolling on tiktok.
Location

Union Comedy (593 Somerville Ave, Somerville 02143)

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