Improv Bloomington

Improv Jams

What is an improv jam?

  • Similar to an open mic
  • Several groups will perform long-form improv
  • Bring your own team (4-6 people) or come solo
  • Solo players will be randomly assigned to a group for the jam

Who can perform at a jam?

  • Improvisers with some experience (class, workshop, etc.) are welcome to perform
  • If you’re new to improv, we recommend taking a class or attending a free meetup before you perform in a jam.

The role of Hosts

At every jam, there will be a few people that we’ve asked ahead of time to be Hosts for the night.

Hosts perform with all of the “Solo Players” and “Guided Teams”(see below). They try to help everyone have a great jam experience.

3 options to perform

When you arrive at the jam, you will write your name on a card and place it in one of these sections:

  1. Solo Players
    • Groups are formed by drawing names
    • Hosts perform with you and provide strong support
  2. Guided Team
    • You choose team members
    • Hosts perform with you and provide light support
  3. Standalone Team
    • You choose team members
    • Hosts do not perform with you

For Performers

  • Please arrive at 7:00 PM when the doors open
  • Between 7:00 and 7:30 PM, you can warm up with your team, or join warmups being led by one of our Hosts
  • Once the jam starts, an emcee will keep the night moving by announcing which group is performing next
  • If you bring your own team, you can do any style of long-form during your set (montage, monoscene, living room opening, etc.)
  • For solo players, your set will use the “montage” form. You’ll get a suggestion and launch into your first scene (no opening.) You’ll do a series of scenes that may or may not relate to each other.

For Audience Members

  • Audience members are welcome to arrive when doors open at 7:00 PM
  • The jam starts at 7:30 PM
  • Seating is General Admission
  • Groups will perform long-form improv. They’ll ask for a suggestion and then improvise multiple scenes inspired by it.
  • We won’t do any short-form improv games (like Whose Line Is It Anyway?). If you want to see short-form games, come to one of our shows!

How much time do I get to perform?

  • We divide up the time equally based on how many performers attend
  • Example: If there are five groups, then each group gets 11 minutes
  • Once the jam starts, we’ll keep the total performance time to around 60 minutes.

Want to hear about future jams?

Join our improviser email list to be notified when new jam dates are announced.

Join Improviser Email List

Questions?

Visit our contact page if there’s anything else you’d like to know about jams.