AMSTERJAM MUSICAL IMPROV FESTIVAL FAQ
Welcome to your ultimate backstage guide! Whether you are a solo musical improviser, part of a brilliant harmonizing ensemble, or a musician who makes the magic happen, we want to make your festival experience as smooth, supportive, and fun as possible.
The heart and soul of Amsterjam will be an intensive week of workshops during the day and electrifying shows in the evening! Here is the complete breakdown of how to join the jam and what to expect.
Submissions & Eligibility: Getting Your Tape Ready
When can I apply to perform?
Mark your calendars! Submissions officially open on January 15 and wrap up on March 1. We want to give our curation team plenty of time to love on every single video, so we can't accept late entries. Get those tapes in early so we don't miss your musical magic!
What styles of comedy are you looking for?
If it combines comedy, spontaneous theater, and sweet, sweet music, we want it! We are happily welcoming applications for: musical improv teams, narrative musical improv, comedic musical acts, cabaret, and alternative musical comedy.
What should my submission tape look like? Can it be a highlight reel?
We want to see how you build a relationship with the room and find your musical groove! Please send us a continuous, unedited clip of a single set or scene in front of a live audience. Highlight reels with quick cuts make it tricky for our team to feel your true, authentic comedic timing and musical chemistry.
Note: Submission videos should be a minimum of 15–20 minutes for ensembles/groups. We cannot accept submissions without a video clip.
Can I apply with multiple acts or groups?
The more the merrier! You can absolutely submit with your main musical improv team, a duo project, and as a solo musical act. Just please submit a separate application for each act so our team can give each one the individual focus it deserves.
What level of experience are you looking for?
We’re building a vibrant, high-energy environment and are looking for performers who have at least 2–3 years of professional or advanced musical improv performance experience. If you’re actively working on your craft and feel totally comfy singing and commanding a stage, we want to see your stuff!
When will I find out if I’m in?
Our curation team will be watching tapes with big smiles throughout February & March. You can expect a golden email update from us by March 15 so you can start planning your festival fits!
Tech, Sets, & Stage Time: Rocking Your Performance
How long are the performer sets in the showcases?
To give everyone plenty of time to hit those high notes, musical improv and ensemble slots run between 25-40 minutes. We'll give you your exact, dedicated set length in your official acceptance packet!
Bonus Tech Note: Yes, we will have an amazing festival musician/accompanist on-site, as well as plug-and-play capability for your own instruments. Tech details will be coordinated upon acceptance!
Venue, Lodging, & Travel: Your All-In-One Musical Oasis
Where is the festival taking place?
Everything (and we mean everything) is under one cozy roof! All of our daytime intensive workshops, evening shows, and official social events will take place at our main festival venue. No rushing across town or getting lost in transit with your keyboards. We will announce our official venue shortly!
What's the best place to stay?
To keep things as affordable as possible for our global comedy family, we will secure a block of discounted hotel rooms for all attendees and performers. We’ll send out booking details and discount codes as soon as acceptances go out. Traveling on a budget? We will also do our best to look for open rooms and community hosting options!
Compensation & Festival Economics: Keeping it Transparent!
Are workshop instructors and headliners compensated?
Yes! We deeply value the expertise, wisdom, and drawing power our educators and headliners bring to the community. Both our workshop instructors (who will be leading our core daytime intensives!) and designated headlining acts will receive a dedicated percentage split of their specific ticket sales. Detailed contract terms for these spots will be handled directly and transparently with our booking team.
Are showcase performers compensated?
Because this is the very first year of the festival, we are operating on a classic indie, grassroots budget to get this dream off the ground! While we aren't able to offer monetary compensation for our general evening showcase acts this time around, we are investing everything we have into making this a high-value experience for you. Your submission gets you access to deeply discounted festival passes, priority perks for our daytime intensive workshops, and a room full of brilliant creators to jam and connect with. We are so grateful to everyone locking arms with us to build this musical community from the ground up!
💖 Still Have Questions?
We are always here to help you shine! Drop us a friendly line at info@amsterdamcomedystudio.nl and our team will get right back to you. We can’t wait to see your tape and hear your music!