Application Information
How to Apply
Our performer application can be found here. Applicants must include contact information and group information, as well as a video of their team performing, and pay the application fee. Please be sure you have a video of your team performing uploaded to a video sharing service like YouTube or Vimeo before filling out the application form.
Deadlines and Fees
The deadline for all applicants is June 1, 2026, and the application fee is $25. If paying the application fee would cause financial hardship, please send us an email and we’ll arrange for a waiver.
Why a Fee
We charge a small application fee for two reasons: First, the fee helps ensure that those applying are serious about attending our festival and second, the fees help support the costs of putting on the festival. We are a nonprofit, so every dollar of the application fees goes directly toward putting on this festival.
What We're Looking For
Every application will be reviewed by at least two of our four festival producers. We are looking for a diverse array of musical improv acts, including diversity of genre, form, style and voice. Our goal is to find opportunities for teams at various musical improv experience levels to get exposure and be a part of our community.
Video Requirements
All applications must include an un-edited video uploaded to a video sharing service like YouTube or Vimeo. These videos do not need to be of professional quality—cell phone footage is perfectly fine. So long as the performance captured on video can be heard and seen, it’s acceptable. Please do not submit "sizzle reels" or best of videos, we are looking for un-edited performance video, ideally 10 or more minutes in length.
Musical Director/Accompanist Help
We know that traveling with a Musical Director/Accompanist is sometimes cost prohibitive for some teams. Because of that, we will gladly arrange for you to be assigned a local experienced Musical Director/Accompanist for both your performance and a 30-minute rehearsal beforehand. The cost for this service is $60. Please indicate on your application if you think you might need this service.
Deadline to Confirm
Acceptance notifications are expected to go out by June 14, 2026 at the latest. After that time, accepted teams will have 10 days to confirm their attendance. Failure to confirm within this 10-day window may result in rescinding the acceptance offer.
About Teaching Opportunities
There will be a limited number of opportunities for experienced visiting performers to teach a workshop during the Bay Area Musical Improv festival. While we allow applications from potential teachers who do not also apply as a performer, preference will be given to those who are planning to perform as part of the festival.
How to Apply
Applicants interested in teaching must fill out the separate teacher application form. The deadline for teacher applications is the same as for performer applications: June 1, 2026. You can submit your Teacher Application Form here.
Don't Have a Team?
If you'd like to perform at the Bay Area Musical Improv Festival but don't have a team or can't travel with them, you'll be welcome to apply for one of our festival Mixer Teams. Mixer Teams bring together individual improvisers to rehearse once, then perform a 20-minute set during the festival. Mixer Team applications will open July 1 and close on August 1, 2026.
Visitor Info
Performers visiting from out of town can learn more about hotel and travel options on our Information for Visiting Performers page.