Interchange Theater Co-op Traveling Theatre Company: ‘The Interchange’

The traveling branch of the Interchange Theater Co-op exists to provide professional-level Improv (in all forms) to the Milwaukee area, as well as the whole of Wisconsin and the greater Midwest.

The traveling ‘Teams’ consist of Improvisers that are well-versed in both Short and Long Form Improv. Experienced Improvisers who are well-versed in only one of the Improv Forms should be at least moderately experienced in the other. The Corporate Education Director is responsible for the elaboration of a performer’s Improv education in those areas which they may not yet be fully competent. 

Traveling Team Members will be monetarily compensated for each traveling performance (even if the event is at the Interchange’s Theater space), the amount of which is set at a $50 minimum, and may very well exceed the minimum amount, which will be determined by numerous show pricing factors (Distance, Show Length, Audience Size, Type of Show, etc…). The minimum exists as a measure of reassurance for performers, so that their effort to alter or modify their schedules in accommodation of a show date & time will come with the guarantee of monetary compensation.

NOTE: The Interchange Traveling Improv Teams will not accept inexperienced or causally-motivated performers into its roster. Experienced performers that wish to further their Improv education after meeting all of the necessary requirements to join the Traveling Teams, and after having been accepted to said traveling Teams, will be given additional training opportunities provided by the Interchange Education Department, as well as customized lessons by the Corporate Education Director designed specifically for Traveling Team performers.

Casting Requirements: All prospective traveling Improv performers must:

• Have at least two years of Live Improv performance experience.

• Be at least moderately-versed in both Long & Short Form Improv.

• Be actively performing with at least one Improv Team in the Interchange’s regular show rotation.

• Be honest & reliable.

• Have the ability and willingness to critique oneself.

• Have the ability and willingness to perform in all conceivable roles in a traveling show.

• Have semi-regular availability for practices and workshops.

• Have availability (or the ability to alter their schedule) for traveling shows during the week.

Traveling Team Member Requirements: In addition to all requirements listed above, all Interchange traveling Improv performers must:

-Participate in at least two Community Outreach events while representing the Interchange Theater Co-op per year (Each of which will be provided by the Interchange’s Community Department, and will be unpaid Volunteer opportunities. These events will include, but are not limited to; Teaching/Assisting with Community Improv Workshops, Live Improv Performances for Community Organizations, Performing/Volunteering for Community Fundraisers & Outreach Events, etc...). All other traveling shows are paid events, and each performer will be appropriately compensated.

-Conduct themselves as Public Relations Representatives of the Interchange Theater Co-op (Simply put: Help build the positive reputation of The Interchange Theater Co-op as a professional organization and leading source of high-quality Improv and Performance. The better we represent ourselves, the more shows we will book).

-Be early. If you are not early, you are late. There is no such thing as ‘On Time’ as far as our presence is concerned in this profession. Timeliness is an ongoing exercise in mutual trust amongst Traveling Team performers, and is often seen as an act of respect from one performer to another. (Granted, things happen. Accidents occur. Lives change and sometimes have changes thrust upon them. As long as lateness is not a common or habitual occurrence, everything will be fine. If it needs to be addressed, it will be addressed accordingly.) 

-Know and perform by the Bill of Student Rights. (Although relatively self-explanatory, proper representatives of the Interchange Theater Co-op should be able to speak in a concise and educated manner on our Theater’s policies. Most policy questions can and should be directed to the Corporate Education Director, however, questions regarding the Student Bill of Rights and/or appropriate & inappropriate conduct on and off stage should be readily answerable by any and all Traveling Team Performers.)