Arcade Improv Auditions
General Auditions May 2024New House Teams!
Arcade is excited to announce our upcoming auditions, as we embark on forming a new roster of long form and short form House Teams. Following 18 months of amazing performances at Friday night’s House Team Hot Spot, we will be casting new teams to fill an expanded schedule of performances. As before, these teams will rehearse and perform regularly at Pittsburgh’s only non-profit comedy theater, located in the heart of downtown’s Cultural District.
General Auditions:
General Auditions will take place at Arcade Comedy Theater, located at 943 Liberty Ave in downtown Pittsburgh.
Here are the audition slots for those days:
- Sunday, May 5th*
- 1-2pm FULL
- 2-3pm FULL
- 4-5pm FULL
- 5-6pm FULL
- Monday, May 6th
- 6-7pm FULL
- 7-8pm FULL
- 8-9pm FULL
***UPDATE: If you’re not available for any of the remaining available times, and want to be on a wait list: email Abby. If you’re not available at all and still want to be considered, please fill out the form and we’ll be in touch.
Each audition slot lasts approximately 50 minutes. We’ve put a cap of 12 individuals per slot. Once a time slot is full, it will no longer appear as an option on the audition form.
*Note: May 5 is the Pittsburgh Marathon. We expect road closures to be minimal by the afternoon.
Callbacks:
- Thursday, May 9th
- between 6PM – 10PM
Some auditioners will be asked to return for a callback. The exact schedule for that evening will be determined once General Auditions are complete.
Who can audition?
Arcade auditions are open to ANY performer with improv comedy experience. Experience at an improv training facility is preferred; however, some performers may have sufficient experience without this. You do not have to have taken clases at Arcade in order to audition. If you are curious about your experience being sufficient, feel free to email Abby at afudor@arcadecomedytheater.com before auditions. If your form indicates insufficient experience/training , you will be notified before auditions.
How do I prepare?
Fill out the audition form: we recommend you immediately write down the day/time you selected! If you are nervous leading up to auditions, we recommend attending improv jams, seeing shows, or consider taking a workshop. On the day of auditions, come in comfy clothes/shoes that you’re able to move in, and maybe a water bottle.
The Audition
Plan to arrive at Arcade about 10 minutes before your scheduled slot. Please give yourself plenty of time to get downtown, park, and arrive. Limited street parking is available on Liberty & Penn, as well as some side streets. The Smithfield & Liberty Garage is close-by. Auditions run one right after another, so if you arrive late, we may not be able to see you. Please arrive warmed-up and ready to go. There will be no formal, extensive warm-up with the group; we’ll get started with the improv right away. The most important thing is to relax and know that everyone in the room is excited to laugh with you!
THE AUDITION PANEL:
- Abby Fudor, Director of Artistic Programs
- Nia Johnson, Director of Programming
- Sam Turich, Professional Actor/Teacher/Improviser, Former Warp Zone Improv Team Coach
- Julianne Avolio, Professional Actor/Teacher, Former Game Shark House Team member
- Additional panel member listed soon
Following auditions and callbacks, Arcade will share team cast lists and team coaches. Players have 24 hours to confirm their spot and agree to our House Team guidelines (“The Platform” document). If anyone cast on a team doesn’t accept their spot or agree to the guidelines, we will offer that spot to another auditioner.
Have questions about auditions? Re-read everything here!
Still have a question? We can help:
E-mail Us!Join our waitlist
We are currently at capacity for our general audition timeslots, but waitlist members will be contacted in case of a cancellation.
Accessibility
Arcade is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our performing artists. Our facility at 943 Liberty Avenue has elevator access to all floors, including the basement floor with gender inclusive bathrooms. If you require any accommodations for auditions and would like to inform us ahead of time, please email Abby at afudor@arcadecomedytheater.com
About the House Team Program
Arcade will be continuing the iteration of our house team program which debuted in 2022:
- A limited number and clear duration of Teams: In our first program year back in operation, Arcade cast 2 long form teams and 2 short form teams. We can’t determine if we’d add a team or two until we see what happens at auditions. These teams will last approximately 12-18 months. The goal of the house team program is to regularly re-cast teams in order to keep opportunities open to an ever-evolving community and allow improvisers to play with folks they wouldn’t otherwise perform with.
- Rehearsals: House teams will follow a rehearsal structure that emphasizes weekly team-building rehearsals for the first four months, then tapering to bi-weekly rehearsals, and finally to monthly rehearsals and the end of the term. Generally, rehearsals will take place on Sundays at Arcade at a time to be determined by the consensus of the team.
- Performances: To start, House Teams will be expected to perform twice a month, on Friday nights at 7PM at the House Team Hot Spot. Hot Spot shows may increase to weekly in August 2024.
- Dues: In order to help defray the cost of the program, players will be asked to pay Arcade $5 per rehearsal, totaling $150 for the program year. Arcade staff will continue to do the work of managing dues and coordinating the Coach payments for rehearsals and show attendance. More details on how this will work will be shared in the Platform. NOTE: We will offer partial/full scholarships to individuals for whom this cost would be a barrier to participating in the program.
Where and when will I rehearse?
Arcade provides free rehearsal space at the theater (943 Liberty Ave) on Sundays. Other day/times may be available at Arcade or our auxiliary classroom space (details TBD). Teams are free to use an alternate rehearsal space if that works best for them. Arcade can not assist nor be responsible for any safety issues or problems, should a team choose to rehearse elsewhere.
Do I have to pay to be on a House Team?
Yes, Arcade asks House Team members to pay dues (details above) of $5 per rehearsal, adding up to $150 for the year in order to help defray program costs. Needs-based Scholarships will be offered. Dues are paid to Arcade, and Arcade handles paying Coaches in order to streamline the process and alleviate team/coaches from having to discuss money.
Will I be paid?
No, Arcade will use all revenue from House Team shows to offset the cost of putting on shows, rent, utilities, administration of the House Team program, etc.
What if I love the team I’m on and I don’t want Arcade to break it up after a year?
The House Team Program at Arcade is designed to provide improv team opportunities for a large, always evolving, community of improvisers. The priority is individual play, rather than team longevity. That said, we are open to the idea of teams “re-auditioning” as a full team, on a case-by-case basis. We also support any team who chooses to “remain together,” in any capacity, independent from the program. As an “alumni” team, the theater would do its best to support you, with available rehearsal space or show opportunities. First priority will go to our current House Teams.
What if I dislike the team I’m cast on?
Arcade will have many factors to consider when auditioning improvisers and forming teams. It is our goal to create teams that will have a positive experience and perform well together. House Teams provide an opportunity for improvisers to play with new and different individuals that are not your close friends or classmates. This improves an individual player’s skill and gives them the opportunity to grow as a performer. Unless there is an issue of personal safety, which would be rectified immediately, we ask teams to enjoy their time together and always come back to the next audition! An improviser with excessive concern over who to perform with may want to consider forming their own independent team.