NZIF 2017: Is it YOU we're looking for?
Good news, everyone! NZIF is coming back in 2017 with so, so much goodness and we want YOU to be part of our offering! We have a empty programme of directed shows, experimental opportunities, and challenging and delightful workshops just waiting for your pitches and ideas. Read on for more information about everything we're looking for!
Workshop Programme
Improdome, NZIF 2016
What we're thinking
Last year was our BIGGEST WORKSHOP YEAR EVER. The most workshops and the most registrations. That was so freaking cool. That combined with your feedback means we want to make sure that we stay on that buzz, so we're not changing much. Mostly we're focusing on ensuring quality content, clear workshop aims, and a great range of opportunities for teachers and participants alike.
What we're planning
Workshops kick off Saturday 14 October and run til Saturday 21 October. There's space for 3-, 6-, and 12- hour workshops; this translates to half day, full day and two day workshops. Generally they'll start at 10am in the morning, and 1pm or 2pm in the afternoon. Weekdays won't have morning workshops.
What we're looking for
You may be an experienced internationally travelling teacher, or a local hero who's never taught at a festival before. You've got ideas and skills though, and you're passionate about sharing them with other improvisors. You can teach a workshop with clear aims. What skills will participants leave with? What will they be better at? What will they have learned? This applies for skills based workshops as well as format driven ones - we want you to know what you are giving participants. You're prepared to discuss your plans with festival staff and take advantage of support offered; we want you to succeed and to develop as a teacher while also providing an awesome experience to our participants.
You've got a workshop that offers something like:
- targeted scene work / skill development
- new approaches to improvisation
- Associated skills: mime, dance, scenography, other
- Company specific expertise in a shareable form
- Workshops linked to performances (see Performance info below)
- Something new we haven’t thought of!
You have a clear sense of who the workshop is targeted at, regardless of the content. Generally we're using the following classification of improvisors:
- Rookie: <1 year, has learned the basics, limited performance experience
- Intermediate: 2-4 years, strong foundation, general performance experience
- Experienced: 4+ years, extensive performance experience, director/teacher
- Your workshop can be aimed at a mix of these but you should have a good idea of how you will present that.
What you get if you're programmed
Workshop teachers will receive free accommodation, a festival pass, and $200 per 3 hour workshop taught/directed. You will be provided with an appropriate room to teach in, workshop materials if needed (paper, pens, sound tech etc), and we will work with you to ensure you have what you need. You will also have access to workshop development materials to ensure high quality experiences for participants.
Performance Programme
Museum of Broken Relationships, NZIF 2016
What we're thinking
Last year we shook things up with our showcase of work all created the very week of the festival. Your feedback was that this was GREAT. You loved the freshness of the work, the opportunities to be directed by and perform with different people and to watch a range of combinations of styles and skills. Some missed the opportunity to watch long-standing companies and ensembles strut their stuff, which is very reasonable. I have ideas about a way to create this opportunity in a different manner, so watch this space. For NZIF, I'm looking to keep that freshness, that open access to performance, and add in some experimental opportunities. Our late shows will be retired for 2017; we've struggled to get a full audience and it seems to be a really tough time for both performers and audience, and we want to create more opportunities for low-pressure networking.
What we're planning
We have 15x 50-75 minute performance slots from Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 October at 6:30pm, 8pm, and 9:30pm.
- 6:30pm all week: IMPRODOME makes its return for our 6:30pm slot (with some adjustments) and will be open to anyone with at least an intro-to-improv course under their belt.
- 8pm all week: SPONTANEOUS SHOWCASE is back. These are directed performances by experienced improvisors teaching and showcasing an existing format, with an accompanying workshop.
- 9:30pm Tuesday - Friday: EXPERIMENTAL HOUR (Name tbc). An opportunity for experienced directors to work with a group of intermediate/advanced improvisors and develop a brand new format. We want concepts with a strong creative question driving them, ideas that push the boundaries of what we think improv is and what audiences think improv can do.
- 9:30pm Saturday: Closing show 'best-of-the-fest' style. Cast by moi and a generally celebratory performance.
What we're looking for
- Directors and MCs for IMPRODOME.
These will be selected by the festival and full guidance will be provided, no pitching is necessary. Team sign up will come during general registration. - Directors for SPONTANEOUS SHOWCASE.
Your show concept may be your own personal show you've performed and directed before, or perhaps your company created it and is happy for you (up to two directors) to come and present it at NZIF (with full credit given). This is a space for tried and true formats, not half-baked ideas (see below for that opportunity). You'll be leading a workshop teaching participants the necessary skills and techniques to pull the show off, aimed at intermediate improvisors. - Directors for EXPERIMENTAL HOUR.
You're an experienced improvisor with a track record of directing great work. You've got a half-baked idea that explores something new in the world of improv, whether that's a new format, a new technique, a new theory of our art. You need experienced improvisors to workshop your ideas with, and an audience to test it on. Despite the idea being half baked (or maybe even still entirely uncooked) you understand what it means to present work to a paying audience and have the experience to give them and your performers a great time. You'll lead a workshop exploring your format.
What you get if you're programmed
Directors for SPONTANEOUS SHOWCASE and EXPERIMENTAL HOUR will receive free accommodation, a festival pass, and $200 per 3 hour workshop taught/directed. We have budget for set, costume and props (exact amount to be confirmed) and will work with you to ensure you have what you need.
Further Info
Audience, NZIF 2016
The NZ Improv Festival is committed to accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, quality and respect for our audience, and we want our programming decisions and choices to reflect that commitment.
In making a submission, registering for the festival, or otherwise participating, you (directors, teachers, and participants) commit to honouring our Code of Conduct. We will be updating this as we learn more about best practice and will keep all participants informed of any changes.
The categories (rookie, intermediate, experienced) are a guideline only, we recognise that no two improvisors’ journeys are the same. We ask that participants be honest and practical with their self-evaluation.
Payment for teachers is in recognition of their commitment to prepare and deliver a valuable experience for all participants. Any programmed teacher looking for support to prepare their workshop will be assisted to the best of the Festival’s abilities. All teachers receive the same fee.
Registration for workshops will open later in the year. Workshops will be priced for participants based on workshop length, not content. This means experimental hour, spontaneous showcase and general workshops are equal in price. This is to ensure accessibility of all workshops, encouraging participants to register based on their interest rather than their budget.
The cost of workshops for participants primarily takes into account: payment for teachers, room hire, festival overheads, participant benefits (social events, tickets to shows etc). Concession prices will be available and we ask anyone who may need financial assistance to talk to us as soon as you can.