Auditions (Spring 2025)

Sunday, Mar 9, 2025 @ 4:15 PM EDT • Free

***scroll to the bottom of the page to select an audition block***
Saturday1230p
Saturday 115p FULL
Saturday 2p FULL
Saturday 330p FULL
Saturday 415p FULL
Sunday 1230p FULL
Sunday 115p FULL
Sunday 2p FULL
Sunday 330p FULL
Sunday 415p

(NOTE ABOUT Sunday 2p: There’s currently a glitch that’s causing the website to list this block at 3pm. The correct time is 2pm)

Union Comedy is holding auditions MARCH 8 & 9 for new teams & additions to existing teams for The Weekend Show (Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30pm) and Friday Night Fusion (Fridays at 9pm)

What will auditions be like?
  • Our casting board consists of select Union Comedy teachers, coaches, and performers. This board makes all casting decisions collectively.
  • We use a standardized audition scoring system intended to prioritize specific improv skills and limit auditor subjectivity and bias.
  • Each audition block will have up to 8 people and last 30-minutes. Each person will perform a 2-person scene, followed by a self-edited series of scenes as a whole group. 
  • You may only attend ONE audition block.
  • If invited, callbacks will take place on Monday evening March 10.

What are the expectations if I get cast?

  • A commitment of at least 6 months. Union Comedy house teams operate on a 6-month season, at which point they are either renewed for another season or retired.
  • Weekly rehearsals with an assigned coach. Union Comedy covers coaching fees and provides free rehearsal space either at the theater or our training center in Central Square Cambridge.
  • Regularly scheduled performances. Weekend Show Teams work with their coach to perform a longform show that fits their creative goals and sets them up for successful, entertaining shows. Friday Night Fusion teams perform the Harold. Shows are live streamed and hosted on our YouTube channel. Weekend Show teams currently perform most weeks while Friday Night Fusion teams currently perform every other week (show schedule subject to change).  
  • Consistent high quality improv. Casts should reliably provide an entertaining and worthwhile comedy experience for Union Comedy patrons. Throughout the season, we keep track of individuals and teams on commitment (rehearsal and show attendance), quality (the shows are funny and fun), and consistency (the shows continually meet and/or exceed expectations). If any team proves unable to meet these expectations, Union Comedy may make adjustments to the show format, change cast or coaching assignments, or retire the team at the end of that season. Teams are not guaranteed renewal at the end of a performance season.
  • Regular attendance. We expect cast performers to attend a minimum of 75% of their team's commitments, with reasonable exceptions for unexpected circumstances such as illness or other personal reasons. Team coaches track attendance, and performers are expected to keep them informed of any schedule conflicts or expected absences. Additionally, any performer with excessive absences may be removed from the team at any time. 
  • Adherence to Union Comedy's Code of Conduct. Cast members are expected to maintain a professional and respectful relationship with peers, coaches, and theater staff. Our full Code of Conduct can be found HERE.

What is the casting board looking for?
  • Audition scores are primarily based on 3 basic categories: How you handle your own choices, how you handle your scene partners' choices, and how you navigate the scene and show overall. We will be looking for clear proficiency in basic scene skills (yessing, listening, etc) as well as more advanced skills (character worldviews, heightening patterns, etc).
  • Are you funny? This is the X-factor in casting. Audiences come to Union Comedy to laugh, and we have high standards when it comes to our shows. If your audition is fun to watch, we can trust that your shows will be too.
  • We highly encourage you to visit the theater prior to auditioning (i.e. don't let your audition be your first time at Union Comedy). Come to a show for a better sense of what our teams do, what we're looking for, and what you’re signing up for. It will also help you get a sense of the space (we're small!) Be sure to say hi to a staff member and let us know you’re auditioning! We try to get to know everyone who's interested to getting involved at the theater. If you want to know what it's like to be ON our stage before auditions, we have an open free Jam on Sundays at 5pm.

Can I get feedback on my audition?
  • The casting board does not provide individual feedback or reveal audition scores. If you are interested in specific performance feedback we recommend taking a class or workshop.

I can't make this round - when will auditions happen again?
  • Auditions happen twice a year in March and September. If necessary, the theater may also make roster changes outside of the audition process, by invitation.

***IMPORTANT NOTE***
Our pending move to 73 Bow St. (opening date TBD) may lead to shows and rehearsals relocating to this new venue mid-season.


Additional questions? Email us at [email protected]

Whether you're a comedy fan looking for laughs or a performer hoping for stage time, we have shows for you! Union Comedy provides accessible & affordable live comedy 3 nights a week. It's way more fun than staying in scrolling on tiktok.
Location

Union Comedy (593 Somerville Ave, Somerville 02143)

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