Sketch Applications Now Open! Big Changes for Fall 2015!
The Magnet Theater is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2015 Fall Season of SKETCH TEAMS, which will run from September 18th through December 13th!
Please read the following application instructions and sketch team participant expectations very carefully - weve made some very big changes to the program. Got questions? Come to the Fall 2015 Sketch Team info sessions Wednesday, June 17th, & June 24th at 6pm in room A at the Magnet Training Center!
GENERAL SKETCH SHOW EXPECTATIONS
- Each team will create one 20-25 minute sketch show every three weeks.
- All shows will take place Sunday nights at 7:30pm.
- All sketch team shows must contain new, original material written specifically for Magnet Sketch Night that has never been previously performed.
- Each show will contain the best material created for the team as selected by the director - there is no guarantee that every writer will get a sketch in each show or that every actor will be featured in each show. Funny wins. Thems the breaks.
- All sketches will be performed by the teams ensemble cast of sketch actors. If a particular sketch requires it, the team may use outside casting (writers, other actors) at the directors discretion.
GENERAL SKETCH TEAM EXPECTATIONS
- Sketch team members are expected to attend all required meetings and arrive fully prepared. Sketch is time intensive - make sure you can commit 100% and make sketch a priority before applying.
- Sketch team members must be available 1:30-4:30pm on the day of their show for a mandatory tech rehearsal at the theater.
- Sketch team members may not schedule conflicting appointments (work, rehearsals, shows, etc) during scheduled techs, shows, rehearsals, or meetings.
- Sketch teams must rehearse with a Magnet approved director. Each individual sketch team member is responsible for paying their director a flat rate of $12/week; team due collection is left to the discretion of the director and team (as it would be for an improv team or practice group).
- Sketch team members are expected to promote their shows at the theater.
For the Fall 2015 Sketch Season, you must apply as a writer, performer, or a writer/performer. Expectations, prerequisites, and application instructions for each role are below!
**All applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, JULY 15th!
WRITER EXPECTATIONS
- Writers must attend one 3 hour writing meeting per week, all performance rehearsals of their sketches, and all tech rehearsals.
- Writers must constantly generate new material and are required to bring in a minimum of one new sketch per week, even during show week.
- Writers are expected to be respectful and gracious collaborators in writing room. Writers should give and receive feedback to and from their teammates in an open and constructive manner.
- Writers will be required to rewrite material and meet deadlines as requested by their director.
WRITER PREREQUISITES
- Completion of (or current enrollment in) Magnet Sketch Writing Level 2 or previous participation on a Magnet Sketch team.
WRITER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Send the following materials to sketchdirector@magnettheater.com with the subject line,
FALL 2015 MAGNET SKETCH TEAM APPLICATION// WRITER // <YOUR NAME>.
- A cover letter detailing relevant sketch experience inside and outside the Magnet community.
- A single PDF of a sketch writing sample. Your sample should contain at least two sketches and may not exceed 10 pages.
PERFORMER EXPECTATIONS
- Performers must be available for a regularly scheduled 2-3 hour performance rehearsal the week leading up to the show (ex: Sketch Team Fart Police has a performance rehearsal every Tuesday before a show, 7-10pm).
- Performers must be available for techs, table reads, and any additional rehearsals as required by the director.
- Performers must learn all show material in a timely manner.
- Performers may collaborate with writers outside of rehearsals to help create characters and sketches, but performers should not be writing material on their own for shows.
- Performers must perform sketches as they are written - ad libbing is good in a pinch, but be prepared and dont put yourself in positions where you must resort to improvisation. Be polished and professional in all shows.
PERFORMER PREREQUISITES
- Completion of or current enrollment in Level 6 team performance workshop, participation in a past or current Megawatt team, or previous participation in a Magnet Sketch Team.
PERFORMER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Send the following materials to sketchdirector@magnettheater.com with the subject line,
FALL 2015 MAGNET SKETCH TEAM APPLICATION// PERFORMER // <YOUR NAME>
- A cover letter detailing relevant performance experience inside and outside the Magnet community.
- A headshot
- A PDF of your acting resume
- A link to a 3-5 minute sample of your work as a performer. This can be a reel, a recording of a stage sketch, a video sketch, a monologue directed at a webcam, anything you feel showcases you as a comedic performer. Youtube or Vimeo preferred. The link can be public, private, or unlisted - just be sure to send passwords if necessary and the link itself may be no longer than 5 minutes.
You will be informed on Wednesday, July 22nd, if you have been selected to audition in person. In-person auditions will be held on Saturday, August 1st and Sunday, August 2nd at the Magnet Training Center. Unfortunately, if you are not available for these times you cannot be considered as a performer for the 2015 Sketch Season.
For the in-person audition, you will perform two contrasting sketches that will be assigned to you and another applicant several days prior to the audition. You must be completely off-book and you may rehearse before hand with your scene partner, at your discretion. You will also be asked to cold read sketches in the room.
WRITER/ PERFORMER EXPECTATIONS
- Writer/performers must meet all writer expectations AND performer expectations.
- Writer/performers are expected to write for other performers as well as for themselves. There is no guarantee that a writer/performer will perform in all of their own work.
WRITER/PERFORMER PREREQUISITES
- Writer/performers must meet all writer AND performer prerequisites or previous participation on a Magnet Sketch team.
WRITER/PERFORMER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Send the following materials to sketchdirector@magnettheater.com with the subject line,
FALL 2015 MAGNET SKETCH TEAM APPLICATION// WRITER/PERFORMER // <YOUR NAME>
- All materials detailed in writer application instructions.
- All materials detailed in performer application instructions.
- Also, please indicate if you are willing to be considered as a writer or actor ONLY if you are not selected for a writer/performer position.
You will be informed on Wednesday, July 22nd, if you have been selected to audition in person. See performer application instructions above for more info about the audition.
Failure to follow application instructions will keep you from being considered for sketch team. Double check your application!
**All applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, JULY 15th!
New teams will be announced mid August!
