Being on an improv team

Here’s some hints for being on an improv team, booking a coach, and getting space to rehearse.

• CHOOSING A COACH
  • Always book a coach for your rehearsals. It’s better to simply spend time together than to try to rehearse coach-less. Why? You never want to give your teammates notes, ever. It erodes group trust. If you want to just play together, do a jam! But for rehearsals, BOOK A COACH!
  • Check the SCIT approved coach list. The coaches on that list understand the SCIT’s philosophy.
  • See them perform. All members of the Union (the SCIT’s teacher team) are on the list. Other members are on house teams – see their show! Do you like how they play? Ask them questions! What do they focus on, what’s their coaching philosophy? Hire someone you (as a group) are excited about working with.
  • Make sure that they can attend your shows. If they can’t, they should arrange for someone to take notes!
• BOOKING A COACH
  • Email them – and only them – directly. Do not send a mass email. Know when your rehearsal days and times can be.
  • Ask them what their rate is. The standard is usually $20/hour, but some can be more, and some can be less – depending on skill level.
  • The coaches that have an asterisk (*) next to their name are SCIT teachers and staff. They have access to SCIT rehearsal spaces. If you’re emailing one of these people, ask them about this. The SCIT offers the space to these people for free – so that is included in your coach rate.
  • SCIT House Teams have free rehearsal space through the SCIT, regardless of the coach you choose – the house team captain books the space by emailing office@steelcityimprov.com. 
  • If you are booking a musical rehearsal, the coach and the accompanist are separate and paid separately.
• TEAM ROLES
  • All teams are different, but it always works well when one person takes on specific roles. Examples:
    • CAPTAIN: The captain books the coach and secures the rehearsal space (to book rehearsal space, email the Office Manager at office@steelcityimprov.com). They’re also the point person for booking shows.
    • TREASURER: They pay the coach. It’s their responsibility to find out if they have venmo, do they only take cash, etc. Make sure this is done BEFORE rehearsal starts, or you have a coach awkwardly standing around waiting to get paid. Don’t do that to them.
    • Other people can be in charge of specific things (like a logo or picture, starting a Facebook page, stuff like that). It’s always best if every person has a responsibility. It should never fall on the shoulders of one or two people. Unless you’re a duo. And then that makes sense.