Tryouts for the Human Race offers sketch and character acts a dedicated open mic night where they can experiment, try new material and nail their craft in an environment conducive to the weird and wonderful. It’s totally free to apply and play, with no charge to the public to come and watch, and the venue is a performer’s dream! (No lie, check out www.aeronaut.pub).
1. READ THE T&Cs!
We welcome all sketch and character acts to apply but have just a few house rules. (Sorry, we're not booking traditional stand up).
T&Cs*
1. BOOKING PROCEDURE
All sketch and character acts who adhere to the T&Cs will be offered a spot, although it may be for a subsequent month. We are looking for each night to represent a fair balance of experienced and new, sketch and character acts. Besides keeping our audience entertained with variety, we think it will be helpful for new acts to mix with their more experienced peers. Acts may apply as often as they wish (provided they bring different material) but in the spirit of fairness, we will not book the same act over consecutive months. As this is a free night, we can only offer you stage time and not remuneration.
2. TIMINGS
Sketch acts will be offered a maximum of 10 mins (with the exception of specially invited headliners) and character acts 5 mins.
3. YOUR MATERIAL
Comedy can be daring and risqué but don’t bring material that is explicitly racist, homophobic or transphobic. Not that you would, obvs.
4. TECHNICAL EFFECTS
Please keep your tech to a minimum unless you are self-sufficient (you can play sounds through your own laptop/phone or whatever). There are plenty of plug sockets available at the venue but we are not insured to use their sound deck and technical equipment – that costs money and we want to keep this night free.
5. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
Though we hate to enforce a ‘bringer’ policy we strongly encourage/beg you to bring your friends along as this night is only sustainable if we can pull in decent numbers. The venue have offered us an incredible space for a very generous deal, so we really need to keep them sweet with good bar takings on the night. The food there is great too. I’m not just saying that!
6. BE SUPPORTIVE
Some acts might be brand new (and find this all slightly daunting), so let’s keep the night friendly and encouraging. If you have an early slot, please don't scarper once you're done – it’s no fun for the other acts if they’re playing to a depleted room and we need to prove this night is viable by sustaining a good crowd throughout. We’re hoping to create a bit of a community/social vibe, so please stick around for drinks and mingle after too! You’ll run into each other on the circuit as you grow and all connections are helpful.
*T&Cs are subject to change as the night evolves. (i.e. it’s a brand new night and a bit of experiment, so adjustments might be needed.)
