Every year, IMPRO Amsterdam features the work of a number of guest directors. They work with our festival ensemble to create their vision on our stage, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when you listen, commit, and dream big.
Submissions for directing slots will open in early summer.
direct at IMPRO Amsterdam
What do you look for?
We believe that improv can be anything, and we’re looking for shows that demonstrate that. We love directors with a big vision (as well as a clear idea of how to execute it).
Previous editions of the festival have included:
Baba’s Tales, directed by Raschid Daniel Sidgi (Egypt), a show based on the sorts of improvised folk tales the director’s father would tell him as a child
Just Another Yesterday, directed by Shane Alpert (US/NL), a time-loop comedy loosely based on the movie Groundhog Day
Festen, directed by Aymeric Desjardin (France), a dark monoscene about a family finally coming to terms with long-buried secrets
Obits, directed by Andiel Sudik (US), a series of vignettes celebrating the lives of the recently deceased
While it is not explicitly required that you have directed this show before, it is strongly preferred that you have experience as a director of improvised theatre and/or in new format creation.
Interested in submitting as a director?
Applications will open in early summer - subscribe to our newsletter and follow our socials for exact dates. Our directors are paid, and those details will be released with the applications.
What can the festival offer?
IA Directors work with a selection of the Festival Ensemble. These players are a mix of world-reknowned guest performers and hyper-talented local improvisers. Directors will have a scheduled rehearsal with their cast that ranges in length from 3-9 hours depending on the difficulty of the format, the nuances of the subject matter, and the experience of the director. Then, it’s show time!
The IA Artistic Team is also available to support making your vision a reality in any way we can. We have no desire to micromanage your show - instead, we want to give you the resources that you need to make your dreams come to life. These resources can include:
Set and costume pieces (including the sourcing and purchasing/rental costs)
A scheduled session with a previous IA director to help you plan your workshop and/or streamline your format
Facilitating pre-festival discussion with the cast
Aid in developing/supporting safety and boundary plans for shows that deal with cultural differences, challenging topics, and staged intimacy
