Livewire Sketch Program applications are Open for Fall 2026!

Sketch Tuesday June 23, 2026, 1:24pm - by seantaylor

Magnet Theater is excited to announce that starting June 23rd, we will be accepting applications for the Fall 2026 season of LIVEWIRE (MAGNET SKETCH TEAMS), which will begin in September and run through December 2026. 

Please note: Applications, packets, and reels are due by Wednesday, July 22nd at 11:59pm.

Please read the following application instructions and sketch team participant expectations very carefully.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

  • Each team will create one 20-25 minute sketch show every 4-5 weeks.

  • All sketch team shows must contain new, original material written specifically for Magnet Sketch Teams that has never been previously performed. No AI allowed.

  • Sketch team members are expected to attend all required meetings and shows and arrive fully prepared. Sketch is time intensive - make sure you can commit 100% and make sketch a priority before applying. If you KNOW this upcoming next few months is going to be hectic and unpredictable, this may not be the time to commit to a sketch team.

  • Teams will meet for at least three writers meetings and at least two rehearsals for each show. Sketch team members may not schedule conflicting appointments (work, rehearsals, shows, etc) during scheduled techs, shows, rehearsals, or meetings.

  • Sketch team members must be available in the window of 11am-2pm the Sunday the week before their show for a mandatory 90 minute tech rehearsal at the theater.

  • Sketch teams must work with a Magnet-approved director. Each sketch team is responsible for paying their director a flat rate of $140/week in a timely manner. After a team’s first season, you will have the option to choose your director. You may also be expected to pay room rental fees for meetings and/or rehearsals.

For the upcoming sketch season, you must apply as a writer, performer, or a writer/performer. Expectations, prerequisites, and application instructions for each role are below!

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 bring in new sketches for each show cycle.

  • Writers are expected to be respectful and gracious collaborators in the writers' room. Writers should give and receive feedback to and from their teammates in an open and constructive manner.

  • Writers will be responsible for fielding, creating, or (if necessary) purchasing any required props and/or costumes for their sketch

  • 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 1 or previous participation in Magnet Sketch Teams (as any role).

  • Equivalent experience from another theater is not accepted at this time, but you may apply for an exception using this form: https://forms.gle/A88w8ixjMJbUNnHW8

WRITER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit the following materials to: https://forms.gle/1XiKhEjzcY44HLre7

  • A single PDF of a sketch writing sample. Your sample should:

    • Contain at least two sketches

    • Not exceed 10 pages. 

    • Contain no individual sketch longer than 4 pages.

    • Not include sketches written for video

    • Not include sketches you’ve previously included in a Magnet packet submission, unless they’ve been significantly re-written.

  • A resume reflecting your relevant experience.

PERFORMER EXPECTATIONS

  • Performers must be available for a regularly scheduled 2-3 hour performance rehearsal the week leading up to the show.

  • 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 and be completely off-book by show date.

  • 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 don't 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 - Magnet Theater Improv Level 3; participation in a past or current Megawatt team; or previous participation in Magnet Sketch Teams (in any role).

  • Equivalent experience from another theater is not accepted at this time, but you may apply for an exception using this form: https://forms.gle/A88w8ixjMJbUNnHW8

    • If you wish to apply for an exception, fill out both the form above and the application below.

PERFORMER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit the following materials to: https://forms.gle/1XiKhEjzcY44HLre7

  • A headshot

  • A PDF of your acting resume

  • A SINGLE 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. 

    • Scripted work is preferred over an improv set.

    • YouTube or Vimeo preferred. The link can be public or unlisted - please no private links. 

    • You may only send one link, and the link itself may be no longer than 5 minutes.

In-person auditions will be held July 31-August 2nd. Unfortunately, if you are not available for any of the above audition dates, you cannot be considered as a performer for the upcoming sketch season. Please come back next time!

For the in-person audition, you will perform two contrasting sketches that will be assigned to you and another applicant a few days prior to the audition. Please be completely off-book for your audition. You may rehearse beforehand with your scene partner, at your discretion. You may also be asked to cold read sketches in the room.

WRITER/ PERFORMER EXPECTATIONS

  • Writer/performers must meet all writer expectations AND performer expectations and prerequisites to apply.

  • 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 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit the following materials to: https://forms.gle/1XiKhEjzcY44HLre7

  • All materials detailed in writer application instructions.

  • All materials detailed in performer application instructions.

    • Note - you can submit a single combined resume.

  • Also, please indicate if you are willing to be considered for a singular writer or actor role if you are not selected for a writer/performer position. Be completely honest - your preferences will not be held against you!

Failure to follow application instructions will keep you from being considered for a sketch team. Double check your application!

IMPORTANT: Applications, packets, and reels are due by July 22nd.