NZIF 2021: Applications Now Open!
Image: Bethany Miller and Wiremu Tuhiwai at the opening show of NZIF 2020, with purple banners in the background. Photo by Ben Zolno.
Welcome to Festival 2021, friends! Submissions are now open for NZIF 2021’s performance and workshop programme, and we are thrilled to be supported by Creative NZ and the Arts Grant they just gave us!
Read on to learn about what we are planning and what we’re programming now!
What you need to know
Submissions are welcome from improvisors based in NZ and Australia (thank you, travel bubble!). In the event that any teacher or director is unable to attend, we will replace their event with a locally sourced teacher or director.
ALERT LEVELS
BATS has in-depth contingency plans for managing the venue under levels 1 and 2. At Alert Level 1, everything goes ahead as planned. At Alert Level 2, house sizes will be decreased according to BATS’s plans, there will be additional safety procedures in place for us and the audience, and workshops will be socially distanced but achievable. At Level 3 or higher, in-person events will be cancelled and if possible digital events will take place.
PERFORMANCES
For 2021, every single performance will be cast and created the week of the festival. This means we are looking for pitches from directors who are able to teach/workshop a format in a 3 hour workshop, cast from that workshop, and then present the show in a 60 minute performance in either the Dome or the Stage at BATS (or in an alternative venue as applicable). These could be shows you’ve developed and presented at other festivals, either as a director or as an ensemble/company, or a brand new idea you want to debut at NZIF 2021. We’re keen for shows that present a range of styles and genres, and provide opportunity for all experience levels of improvisor. There will also be a few festival favourites to open and close the programme.
WORKSHOP PROGRAMME
We return to our full masterclass programme! From 9-16 October, every morning will feature 3 x 3 hour workshops held at BATS Theatre and nearby venues, with afternoon workshops in the weekend. Check out the application form for what we’re looking for! You don’t have to have taught at NZIF before, but probably you should have experience teaching in general.
Applications for the performance and workshop programme are open now!
The deadline is midnight on June 20. You’ll find out if you’re programmed by the end of June.
Click here to make your pitch!
Here’s what else is in the festival…
YOUTH PROGRAMME
We will run a holiday programme and show for teens the week before the main festival event - 4-8 October at BATS Theatre. If you are in Wellington during those dates, and you pitch a workshop for the adult programme, we may invite you to teach the teens too!
CONFERENCE SERIES
A series of afternoon panels, discussions, interviews and more taking place in Wellington and online, streamed free to the improvisation community (pending fore-mentioned funding and logistics). Your input will be solicited to help us develop the programme.
OTHER EVENTS
We will hold a mihi whakatau (welcome) on Friday 8 October, jams and social events during the week, and a closing party the afternoon on Sunday 17 October. 🙂 Watch this space for more!
Questions?
Get in touch on hello@improvfest.nz