How to Join an Improv Comedy Troupe

If you love to act or perform stand-up comedy, joining an improv comedy troupe may be the next step for you. Improv comedy allows you to sharpen your acting skills and perform original material in front of live audiences. These are mostly fast-paced shows performed without any scripts. If you're up for a fun challenge and love to make people laugh, join an improv comedy troupe.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take courses in acting and stand-up comedy at local colleges, adult education classes or community workshops. Although there are no official educational requirements to join an improv comedy troupe, having experience in stage acting or performing stand-up comedy is helpful.

2. Perform in community theater plays and open mic nights at local comedy clubs. Get comfortable performing onstage in front of live audiences. Doing this can also help you to make contacts and find out about any openings in an improv comedy troupe.

3. Check for auditions being held by any local improv comedy troupe. These can be found in newspapers, posted at local colleges or universities and also online. Search for improv comedy troupes online—most have websites and will post information about open auditions.

4. Join several online improv comedy troupe websites. You can sign onto forums and find out where and when improv comedy troupes are looking for new performers.

5. Go to improv comedy shows. Arrive early to speak with the performers, if possible, or hang around after the show is over to see if you can chat with any of the actors. Ask how you can join. Find out what requirements the troupe has, if any.

Resources

• Find out about improv comedy troupe open auditions here.
• See more improv comedy troupe open audition listings here.