Improv Festivus 2026 – Performer FAQ

PLEASE NOTE

THIS FORM IS FOR SUBMITTING YOUR TROUPE FOR CONSIDERATION. IT IS NOT FOR ADMISSION TO THE FESTIVAL AND NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL GET A SPOT AT IMPROV FESTIVUS 2026. ONCE SELECTIONS ARE SENT OUT, YOU WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER LINK TO REGISTER AND PAY FOR ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR SELECTED GROUP. GENERAL ADMISSION BADGES WILL BE FOR SALE SEPARATELY TO NON-PERFORMERS.

When are the shows?

Thursday, December 10
Friday, December 11
Saturday, December 12

What are the costs involved in troupe submissions and why?

We do our best to keep Festivus as affordable as possible while still running a high-quality festival.

Troupe Submission Fee: $35 per troupe

So, why is there a submission fee at all? Because putting on a festival is a big lift! Submission fees help us cover the unseen but essential costs of reviewing every application, paying staff who coordinate selections, and making sure our programming stays organized and fair. They also help offset up-front costs like venue rentals, tech staff, and marketing. Without submission fees, festivals would either have to raise performer registration prices significantly or cut back on opportunities.

We keep our fees lower than most festivals because our goal isn’t to profit off submissions — it’s to make Festivus sustainable while keeping it accessible to as many troupes as possible.

How does selection work? Does being a CSz Richmond Theater member give me better odds?

All submissions are reviewed by a selection team that evaluates acts for Festivus. What matters most is your act — not whether you’re part of CSz Richmond.

Videos help. They give our team the best sense of how you perform and how your style fits on the Festivus stage.
No video? No problem. A strong description of your show, good reviews, or other ways of showing off your experience will also be considered.
Social media presence is a bonus. It’s not required, but it helps us understand how you connect with audiences.

We love our home community, but when it comes to Festivus, the goal is to showcase the very best acts — from RVA and beyond. This means that we don't take home community into account as part of the consideration criteria!

How do sets work?

Each act will have a 17–20 minute set.

A timer will be running during your show.
You’ll see a warning light when your set is close to ending.
Once you are within 120 seconds of your 20 minutes, we will blackout at your next big laugh to give your set a clean ending.
If you have special tech needs, please check in with our tech team at the time of your set so everything runs smoothly.

Can a performer be added later if they weren’t listed on the troupe’s submission?

Yes! The initial submission is just for the act/troupe itself. Once your troupe is accepted, each performer will receive a link to purchase their discounted performer badge. As long as every performer has purchased a performer badge, they can be added to your roster at any time.

I perform with multiple troupes. Will I have to buy more than one performer badge?

Nope. Individual performers only pay one performer badge, no matter how many troupes they’re performing with. This badge allows you access to all three days of the event. Please ensure you don't buy our General Admission All-Access badge by mistake. We discount the badges for performers in accepted troupes and act

Do I have to have video to submit?

We encourage any groups to submit, even without video! While video is helpful, it’s not required. We know there are plenty of talented groups who aren’t on YouTube or TikTok. Just tell us about your troupe in your submission and let us know what makes you awesome. We promise we will consider it equally!

Are there comp tickets for performers or students?

Unfortunately, no. Our seating capacity is limited, so:

No comp tickets for performers
No comp tickets for CSz Richmond students or community members

All performers must have a Performer Badge to attend shows and workshops but these badges will be discounted compared to General Admission Badges to encourage or performers to stay with us the entire festival!

Why are performer badges cheaper than general admission?

Performer badges are a special discounted rate just for acts selected to perform. These are different from General Admission (GA) badges sold to the public, which are higher priced.

Performer badges will not be published on the website.
Once your troupe is accepted, you’ll receive a private email with the performer badge link.

What’s the refund or cancellation policy?

There are no refunds or cancellations on troupe submissions or performer registrations. Please make sure your troupe is committed before submitting.

When do submissions close and when will we hear back?

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026
Selections Announced: By October 31, 2026 (you’ll hear from us either way!)

✨ In short: Submit your troupe, grab your badge, and get ready for a weekend of shows, workshops, and after-parties. We can’t wait to celebrate Festivus with you!

Festivus 2026 - Performer/Troupe Submission Form (Not Admission)