Frequently Asked Questions
When are the dates of the 2014 Unscripted New York Festival?
Performances and workshops begin Thursday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 5th, 2014. Technical run-throughs will most likely occur on Wednesday, October 1st. If you require a technical session, please let us know and expect that to happen on Wednesday.
Where is the festival being held?
We are delighted to be back for our third year at Theatre 54 in Shetler Studios – 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor. It’s a nice little 60-seat black box theatre that includes a small dressing room for performers. It’s also located in the heart of midtown and near most major subway lines.
What types of shows are you looking for—what do you mean by “improvised theatre?”
The simplest definition we can give is that we are looking for shows that create narrative stories through improvisation. This could be an improvised musical or rock show, a genre style improvised show that tells a story (e.g., a tale of film noir, or a period style of theatre that is improvised, an improvised character piece that has a beginning, middle and end, or maybe a type of improvised theatre we haven’t even thought of yet.) If it’s improvised and tells a complete story then we’d love to see what you do! If you still have questions, please feel free to email us at: [email protected] or read the descriptions from last year’s festival shows to get an idea of what we like.
That said, here’s what we are NOT looking for: Sketch or other written shows; short form improvisation; theatre sports/theatre games; Harold format shows, montage/free form shows whose scenes do not tie together in a narrative way. These are all wonderful types of improvisation, and we support them 100%. It’s just not what we’re looking for in this particular festival.
What types of films/videos are you looking for?
We are looking for films and videos that create narrative stories through improvisation. We are looking for improvised features, as well as digital shorts, which can be 1-10 min., and would include anything up to 20 min. Videos created through soft-scripting and scenario improvisation would also work, though standard sketch, even if originated through improv, would not quite fit this fest. We aim to feature and celebrate artists who take a leap and fully improvise their work.
I cannot attend the festival but would like to support it. How can I make a donation to the festival?
The best way you can contribute – both financially and communally – is to attend a performance during the festival. If you can’t make it to a show, you can send a donation through PayPal to our co-producing entity Artistic New Directions.
Donations and submission fees go entirely to producing the festival, from space rental to promotion, etc., and are most appreciated! Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre Festival is a production of Artistic New Directions a 501(c)3 not-for-profit company. Contributions are tax deductible according to law.
When will I be notified if my show or film is in the 2014 Unscripted New York Festival?
We will notify submitters sometime in August 2014, as soon as we can, whether their show or video have been selected or not to appear in the 2014 festival.
How many performances do we get for our show?
All shows/videos will get at least one performance slot/screening during the festival. It is hard to say definitively until we know our full schedule. We realize that for our non-New York performers, traveling from out of town is a major investment of time and money. If our schedule can accommodate a second performance slot, priority will be given to out-of-town performers.
Where does my submission fee go?
Submission fees go entirely to producing the festival, from space rental to promotion, etc. Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre & Film Festival is a production of Artistic New Directions a 501(c)3 not-for-profit company. Contributions are tax deductible according to law.
Do performers get paid for performing on stage in Unscripted New York?
Yes! While most of the income from ticket sales goes back to cover costs of the production, we do share a small percentage with the performers of each show.* We are committed to rewarding festival performers for their hard work, even if only modest compensation. We hope this also encourages performers to get butts in the seats – the bigger your house, the more money you will get back for performing in the festival!
*Please note that if two shows appear in a single time slot, the performer "split" will be shared 50/50 between each entity of that time slot.
Do films/videos get compensated for screening in Unscripted New York?
Yes, if you are screening a Feature. Like with live shows, most of the income from ticket sales goes back to cover costs of the production, so if you are getting a standard show slot, and fill the house, we are happy to share a small percentage with the submitters of that film.
For digital shorts, which can be 1-10 min., and would include anything up to 40 min., we will not be able to compensate contributors on our limited budget.
I’m interested in teaching a workshop during the festival? How do I hook that up?
We have a limited amount of workshop slots available but we are always interested in providing great classes to the New York improvisation community. Please email the Unscripted New York producers at: [email protected] if you are interested in offering a workshop. Please give us a brief description of your background as a teacher, your workshop details (including length of the workshop, ideal class size and level, etc.) and how it would fit with the mission of the Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre Festival.
Can performers see other shows for free?
Yes, provided that the show is not sold out. All 2014 performers will receive an exclusive Show Pass which allows them access to shows for free, if a show is not sold out. Heck yeah… come be an audience member - we love giving our improvisers a nice, packed house! Just understand that due to the financial needs of producing the festival we would like to sell as many tickets as we can to our shows. And if you REALLY want to see a certain show, you should get a ticket, especially if it might sell out. We keep the tickets affordable so people can see as many shows as possible.
Will you be videotaping/photographing the shows?
We will be taking photos and video, sporadically, throughout the festival. These snippets will be used to help promote the mission of our non-profit festival. However, we do not have the capacity to videotape or photograph every show and therefore, cannot guarantee that your show will be documented for improvisational posterity! You are welcome to bring your own video camera or photographer for your show. Just let us know ahead of time so that we can make the appropriate arrangements for them to set up their equipment.
Are there any hotel deals for out of town performers?
While we cannot guarantee anything, we are looking into this possibility and will let you know if we can negotiate a discounted hotel rate. As of now, we do not have any deals lined up.
Will there be festival parties and improv jams and an After-Fest Bar?
We are currently scheduling our events and looking into options for a community hang out after the festival. Last year, we went across the street to Characters Bar, and our final party was held at The Three Monkeys and there are many other bars in the area.
How much will tickets to shows cost?
Ticket prices for last year’s festival ranged between $8 and $10 and we expect this year’s tickets to be similarly priced.
Do you need volunteers?
YES! Always! Yes, and! Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to help, or visit our volunteer page.
Have another question not answered here?
Drop us a query at [email protected] and we'll get back to you soon as we can.
Performances and workshops begin Thursday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 5th, 2014. Technical run-throughs will most likely occur on Wednesday, October 1st. If you require a technical session, please let us know and expect that to happen on Wednesday.
Where is the festival being held?
We are delighted to be back for our third year at Theatre 54 in Shetler Studios – 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor. It’s a nice little 60-seat black box theatre that includes a small dressing room for performers. It’s also located in the heart of midtown and near most major subway lines.
What types of shows are you looking for—what do you mean by “improvised theatre?”
The simplest definition we can give is that we are looking for shows that create narrative stories through improvisation. This could be an improvised musical or rock show, a genre style improvised show that tells a story (e.g., a tale of film noir, or a period style of theatre that is improvised, an improvised character piece that has a beginning, middle and end, or maybe a type of improvised theatre we haven’t even thought of yet.) If it’s improvised and tells a complete story then we’d love to see what you do! If you still have questions, please feel free to email us at: [email protected] or read the descriptions from last year’s festival shows to get an idea of what we like.
That said, here’s what we are NOT looking for: Sketch or other written shows; short form improvisation; theatre sports/theatre games; Harold format shows, montage/free form shows whose scenes do not tie together in a narrative way. These are all wonderful types of improvisation, and we support them 100%. It’s just not what we’re looking for in this particular festival.
What types of films/videos are you looking for?
We are looking for films and videos that create narrative stories through improvisation. We are looking for improvised features, as well as digital shorts, which can be 1-10 min., and would include anything up to 20 min. Videos created through soft-scripting and scenario improvisation would also work, though standard sketch, even if originated through improv, would not quite fit this fest. We aim to feature and celebrate artists who take a leap and fully improvise their work.
I cannot attend the festival but would like to support it. How can I make a donation to the festival?
The best way you can contribute – both financially and communally – is to attend a performance during the festival. If you can’t make it to a show, you can send a donation through PayPal to our co-producing entity Artistic New Directions.
Donations and submission fees go entirely to producing the festival, from space rental to promotion, etc., and are most appreciated! Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre Festival is a production of Artistic New Directions a 501(c)3 not-for-profit company. Contributions are tax deductible according to law.
When will I be notified if my show or film is in the 2014 Unscripted New York Festival?
We will notify submitters sometime in August 2014, as soon as we can, whether their show or video have been selected or not to appear in the 2014 festival.
How many performances do we get for our show?
All shows/videos will get at least one performance slot/screening during the festival. It is hard to say definitively until we know our full schedule. We realize that for our non-New York performers, traveling from out of town is a major investment of time and money. If our schedule can accommodate a second performance slot, priority will be given to out-of-town performers.
Where does my submission fee go?
Submission fees go entirely to producing the festival, from space rental to promotion, etc. Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre & Film Festival is a production of Artistic New Directions a 501(c)3 not-for-profit company. Contributions are tax deductible according to law.
Do performers get paid for performing on stage in Unscripted New York?
Yes! While most of the income from ticket sales goes back to cover costs of the production, we do share a small percentage with the performers of each show.* We are committed to rewarding festival performers for their hard work, even if only modest compensation. We hope this also encourages performers to get butts in the seats – the bigger your house, the more money you will get back for performing in the festival!
*Please note that if two shows appear in a single time slot, the performer "split" will be shared 50/50 between each entity of that time slot.
Do films/videos get compensated for screening in Unscripted New York?
Yes, if you are screening a Feature. Like with live shows, most of the income from ticket sales goes back to cover costs of the production, so if you are getting a standard show slot, and fill the house, we are happy to share a small percentage with the submitters of that film.
For digital shorts, which can be 1-10 min., and would include anything up to 40 min., we will not be able to compensate contributors on our limited budget.
I’m interested in teaching a workshop during the festival? How do I hook that up?
We have a limited amount of workshop slots available but we are always interested in providing great classes to the New York improvisation community. Please email the Unscripted New York producers at: [email protected] if you are interested in offering a workshop. Please give us a brief description of your background as a teacher, your workshop details (including length of the workshop, ideal class size and level, etc.) and how it would fit with the mission of the Unscripted New York Improvised Theatre Festival.
Can performers see other shows for free?
Yes, provided that the show is not sold out. All 2014 performers will receive an exclusive Show Pass which allows them access to shows for free, if a show is not sold out. Heck yeah… come be an audience member - we love giving our improvisers a nice, packed house! Just understand that due to the financial needs of producing the festival we would like to sell as many tickets as we can to our shows. And if you REALLY want to see a certain show, you should get a ticket, especially if it might sell out. We keep the tickets affordable so people can see as many shows as possible.
Will you be videotaping/photographing the shows?
We will be taking photos and video, sporadically, throughout the festival. These snippets will be used to help promote the mission of our non-profit festival. However, we do not have the capacity to videotape or photograph every show and therefore, cannot guarantee that your show will be documented for improvisational posterity! You are welcome to bring your own video camera or photographer for your show. Just let us know ahead of time so that we can make the appropriate arrangements for them to set up their equipment.
Are there any hotel deals for out of town performers?
While we cannot guarantee anything, we are looking into this possibility and will let you know if we can negotiate a discounted hotel rate. As of now, we do not have any deals lined up.
Will there be festival parties and improv jams and an After-Fest Bar?
We are currently scheduling our events and looking into options for a community hang out after the festival. Last year, we went across the street to Characters Bar, and our final party was held at The Three Monkeys and there are many other bars in the area.
How much will tickets to shows cost?
Ticket prices for last year’s festival ranged between $8 and $10 and we expect this year’s tickets to be similarly priced.
Do you need volunteers?
YES! Always! Yes, and! Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to help, or visit our volunteer page.
Have another question not answered here?
Drop us a query at [email protected] and we'll get back to you soon as we can.