WIT to hold new auditions for its Musical Improv Conservatory in December

Following a successful pilot project earlier this year, WIT is excited to announce that it is holding a new round of auditions for individuals who aspire to explore and perform longform musical improv.

WIT’s Musical Improv Conservatory aims to assemble and cultivate teams of knowledgeable and budding musical improvisers, as well as accompanists and music directors, and to promote their further development — as individuals and ensembles — through coached exploration of longform musical improv, including regular rehearsals and performances.

Our hope is that by fostering DC’s musical improv community, it will further expand and deepen the talent pool of players doing this work.

This round, the Conservatory will cast three teams, who will rehearse weekly with a coach and an accompanist to build their mastery of musical improv skills and to create a performance format together.

The program is planned to rehearse for five months beginning in late January/February 2025. Teams will have multiple performances and Conservatory jams throughout the program, culminating in two public performances in June 2025.

Please review the program description and player expectations below before deciding whether to audition. Additional information about what the audition panel will be looking for can be found on the sign-up form.

We are requiring auditioners to have at least one year of improv experience *OR* at least one year of musical theater experience. You do not need musical improv experience in order to audition (but it is a plus if you do). You are welcome to audition regardless of whether you were involved in the pilot program.

We will include as many people as possible in the auditions, but space may be limited. Also, please note that individuals who are selected to join the Conservatory will be expected to pay a monthly participation fee of  $109 to help cover costs for coaches, accompanists, and venue rental.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3 PM to 6 PM at Studio Theatre and on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Garnet-Patterson S.T.A.Y Academy.

(If needed, we are reserving Sunday, Dec. 15 from 1 PM to 3 PM at Studio as a back-up date.)

The DEADLINE TO REGISTER to audition has been EXTENDED TO Sunday, Dec. 1 at 11:59 PM.

Early sign-up is highly encouraged!

REGISTER TO AUDITION

More about WIT’s Musical Improv Conservatory:

Overall objectives

• Develop musical improv skills of players, accompanists, and coaches
  • Provide training in musical improv formats and techniques
  • Develop skills in musicality, lyric writing, rhyming, song parody, etc.
• Provide a common foundation of musical improv formats to allow for:
  • Future team growth and expansion
    • The addition of new teams as the program expands
  • Coaches and accompanists are empowered to:
    • Collaborate across teams
    • Sub for each other
      • Share knowledge and techniques
• Cultivate musical improv ensembles
  • Provide structure for teams to develop cohesion
• Provide musical improv performance opportunities
  • Establish regular show schedules for team performances
• Showcase musical improv for audiences
  • Continue to develop an audience base for musical improv
  • Provide public performances for the community

Team objectives

• Develop ensemble musical improv skills
  • Build skills in musical scene work, song improv, etc. as a team
• Build cohesion as a musical improv ensemble
  • Develop group cohesion, communication, and trust through rehearsals
• Select and rehearse a longform musical improv format
  • Focus rehearsals on building skills in the selected format
• Perform for audiences
  • Showcase team’s musical improv format at scheduled shows

Musical improv player objectives

• Broaden and strengthen musical improv performance skills individually and as an ensemble
• Build, explore, and increase proficiency in longform musical improv formats
• Gain experience working with a musical director and coach to incorporate music seamlessly into improvised scenes and stories
• Develop and practice healthy ensemble management skills, including maintaining open communication, creating a safe and welcoming environment, and nurturing the group’s unique improvisational voice
• Expand WIT’s reach by including more artists and musicians from outside the traditional WIT realm, with particular focus on tapping into DC theater culture

Player responsibilities

• Attend and fully participate in weekly rehearsals and performances as scheduled by accompanist and coach.
• Take an active role in your development as a musical improviser; seek new ways to expand your skills. (This may include regular online viewing assignments and, when possible, live show attendance.)
• Embrace coaching, direction, and feedback; continuously strive to improve.
• Communicate scheduling conflicts/needs to your coach and team with ample notice.
• Pay dues on time to cover expenses like coaching, rehearsal space, etc.
• Assist in promoting the program through word-of-mouth and social media.
• Raise any issues or concerns promptly and constructively.
• Be an asset to the team by assisting with logistics, hosting, etc.
• Have fun making great improvised music together!

Pictured: The full cast of the inaugural Musical Improv Conservatory class.