Unexpected Productions, Seattle’s longest-running improvised theatre company, is holding General Auditions on Saturday, August 15th, with possible callbacks on Saturday, August 22nd. We are seeking both long-term company members who can make regular Friday and Saturday night commitments, as well as performers to join two upcoming fall improv shows.
Details
Unexpected Productions, Seattle’s 44-year-old Improv Theatre in Pike Place Market’s Post Alley, will be holding annual company auditions, starting this summer, with a plan to continue to hold auditions at least once per year. Our 2026 auditions will be Saturday, August 15th, in scheduled 25-minute slots. Auditions will be held in Georgetown; information on how to register can be found below.
We are seeking performers for two distinct tracks:
- Ensemble Membership: Membership to our company’s ensemble as a stage performer. This is a long-term commitment with high availability requirements.
- Short-Term Performance Opportunities: Guest performer roles in our upcoming short-form and long-form shows for 2026/2027. These songle-run roles feature a shorter commitment of 4 to 12 weeks including rehearsals and performances.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please read on for details!
Performing at UP (Compensation & Culture)
Whether ensemble or guest cast, performers at UP are independent contractors paid a unit rate per show. Currently, the rate is $20 per show. This applies to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows at the Market Theater.
Performers are expected to attend both rehearsals and performances with a collaborative, professional, and positive attitude, to maintain positive relationships with company members, staff, guest performers, and audiences, and to strictly abide by our codes of conduct and anti-harassment policies.
Ensemble Membership Requirements
Ensemble Membership requires a high level of commitment. Especially during the first year, members are expected to attend at least 50% of company workshops (2nd Tuesdays and 4th Mondays) and to be available for an average of four TheatreSports shows per month (Fridays/Saturdays, 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM).
Joining UP as an Ensemble Performer also puts you in the pool for consideration for many of UP’s other offerings: Thursday long-form shows, Friday and Saturday “Main Stage” shows, and Sunday genre shows and plays. While these additional performances are not guaranteed, the majority are cast exclusively from UP’s ensemble.
Audition & Callback Process
- Auditions: Saturday, August 15th (25-minute assigned slots)
- Callbacks: Saturday, August 22nd (Time TBD)
- Location (Auditions & Callbacks): Jill Farris Playground Stage (5700 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 in Georgetown)
Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for your audition slot to warm up. While we try to accommodate emergencies, late arrivals cannot be guaranteed a spot.
You will be grouped with 4–7 other improvisers to play collaborative, supportive theatre games. Experience with UP classes is a plus, but it is not a requirement. We highly encourage attending a TheatreSports show and a Thursday/Sunday show prior to auditioning to get a feel for our focus and style.
While we love playful comedy, we are looking for performers who bring:
- Sincerity and authenticity
- Acting ability, vulnerability, and emotional presence
- Strong theatrical skills and a confident stage presence
Note: If you are interested in auditioning but are unavailable on August 15th, we encourage you to still submit your information. If a second day of auditions opens up, we will notify you.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Unexpected Productions is dedicated to building an ensemble that reflects the rich diversity of the Pacific Northwest. We are actively seeking and we encourage improvisers of all races, ethnicities, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and physical abilities to audition. We believe that a variety of perspectives and lived experiences make our work more honest and authentic, our stories richer, and better represents our community.
If you have a disability or require an accommodation at any stage of the audition process, please email us at auditions@unexpectedproductions.org so we can ensure a positive, accessible, and welcoming environment for you.
How to Apply
To be considered for an audition slot, please complete our Audition Submission Form ( https://forms.gle/UBBAFqDcWKsVeEPj6). You should receive an immediate confirmation that the form was submitted.
- Submission Deadline: End of day, Friday, August 7th.
- Time Slot Confirmation: Confirmed via email by Monday, August 10th.
- Questions? Email us at auditions@unexpectedproductions.org
