Comedy festivals are some of the best showcase venues for aspiring performers. You never know who's in the audience or what connections you'll form with the other acts. Here are some tips for actors and comedians looking to showcase themselves on the festival circuit.
Be Kind, Don't Make The Producers Rewind
Years ago when we launched the Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival, we used to ask for DVD submissions. Now, we just ask for a link. To help maximize your chances of getting accepted, make sure your link is not a video of a poorly lit space where the camera's off to the side. Make it a tight presentation and remember that the producers viewing it are looking at multiple, multiple links. Getting your application in on time or early is helpful, too.
Be Super Polished
Have your material as polished as possible and present what your strengths are. Don't change your show just because there might be industry people there. You don't want to do a pretty good Amy Poehler set. You want to do your best set. What they're looking for is your unique voice, because that's what's going to stand apart from other people. You've got to look at it as a perfect-storm opportunity.
Be Ready to Mingle
A huge element of festivals is the networking. These events are a great place to really develop friendships and future performance opportunities. After your show, make sure you get out to where the audience is so you can be approached. If someone in the industry is interested in your performance, they'll probably come up to you. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have cards or something you could give them to follow up with you to make it that much easier.
Pick Your Venue
If you're still developing as a performer, then it doesn't hurt to do multiple small festivals to really hone your act. But if you're polished and ready to go, then a bigger market would be a way to go. If you want to be seen by industry people, then you want to go to festivals in New York or L.A.
James Grace is the artistic director of the iO West Theater and co-founder of The Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival.
Want more L.A. news? Sign up for our Backstage L.A. newsletter!