Milwaukee Comedy Festival - Call for Submissions

[mkemple]

The Milwaukee Comedy Festival announces a national search for professional sketch comedy teams, long and short form improvisation, music comedy and video sketches.

Wisconsin’s largest comedy event will feature four days of live performances August 4 - 7, 2011 at ComedySportz, 420 S. 1st St., Milwaukee. The Festival is accepting applications now through May 2, 2011 to perform in the 6th annual event.

The annual comedy event, the largest of it’s kind in the state of Wisconsin, is in it’s sixth year. Applications to perform will be accepted through May 2, 2011 and are available online at www.milwaukeecomedy.com/festival. The application is an easy to use online form asking for some basic contact information, a photo or team logo, links to some video clips and a small submission fee to apply. Physical application forms are available upon request.

Comedy teams from across the country are encouraged to apply. Submissions are judged on quality, originality, professionalism and above all humor. The Milwaukee Comedy Festival will feature the top improv comedy, sketches and videos from national comedy teams, as well as local stand up artists. Accepted comedy teams participating in the festival will perform 40 minute or 25 minute sets.

About the Festival
The Milwaukee Comedy Festival (formerly the Sketch and Improv Comedy Festival) was founded by Matt Kemple in 2006 to bring comedy together in order to strengthen and expand the existing comedy scene in Milwaukee. The Festival aspires to create an active comedy environment where performers can hone their craft, creating new and exciting comedy. The Festival is celebrating six years of top-notch comedy.

[mkemple]

Here's the short version.


Now Accepting applications to perform in the 2011 Milwaukee Comedy Festival!

Applications can be found here: www.milwaukeecomedy.com/festival

Submissions will be judged on quality, originality, professionalism and above all humor! Those submitting are asked to include photos of the performing group, a group bio, short description of the show and a team logo if available. This years application is an easy to use online form.

Here's what we need:

• Completed Performer Application
• A link to a 15 minute unedited video of a live performance.
• A quality digital photo of your group or logo to be used for promotional purposes.
• Any additional press materials you would like to include.·
• $30 non-refundable application fee. (fee will raise to $40 after May 3). Incomplete applications and those without payment will not be processed.

Questions? Email us at festival@milwaukeecomedy.com

[nixonjames]

What's the thinking about restricting stand up acts to Wisconsin residents? I'd think the locals good enough to make the cut would appreciate making connections in others cities and vice versa?

I mean you don't have to tell people why you don't accept them and you could still let in more WI people? I just don't get the complete restriction and was curious the reasoning.

Not trying to offend just had a friend in Milwaukee tell me I should submit to this and come visit then I saw that it's only WI residents

[mkemple]

texnixon,

I am more than happy to answer your question. Apologies for the long winded response.

The Milwaukee Comedy Festival originated as a sketch comedy and improv festival only. We only just recently began inviting stand up acts to perform. The main reason was awareness. The festival was founded out of a need for more exposure of the great improv and sketch scene that was growing. And more so, the talented local artists that create right here in Milwaukee.

The problem for us is many people in the Milwaukee area still think stand up is the only type of comedy to see live. Unfortunately, many of those that do seek out sketch and improv will drive down to Chicago to see it instead of trying a show in town first, assuming local comedy couldn't possibly be as good.

So for the fest, having a focus on sketch and improv is the priority, and this unfortunately leaves fewer slots for stand up. We have decided that for the time being, we would rather offer a stand up slot to someone locally who could use the exposure and stage time.

Please understand, we DO plan on accepting out side stand up for future festivals, just not at this time.

All the best,
-Matt


Matt Kemple
Founder/ Producer
Milwaukee Comedy Festival
festival.milwaukeecomedy.com

[nixonjames]

Thanks for being long winded, I get it now. I'd still like an excuse to come to Milwaukee so I hope the festival goes so well yall will have me sometime. Best of luck with the fest. I'd not considered the Improv difficulties being so close to Chicago.

[rukawaka]

Thank you for this great series.
Very interesting and entertaining.
Well written!