Show Pitches

Pitching a show to ITS

We programme our shows in three seasons per year (January–April, May–August, September–December). Pitches will be open a few months out from the start of the season. Keep an eye on our social media and newsletter for details.

Pitches for the winter season are now closed. If you would like us to consider a late pitch, please email jim@improvtheatresydney.com.au.

What sort of shows are you after?

As our name suggests, we tend to host improv shows. But we have an expansive appetite: we love solo shows, interactive theatre, standup, sketch comedy, clowning, cabaret, poetry, jazz… anything that shares our DNA of spontaneous, dynamic and connected work.

We’re open to existing shows looking for a regular home or a remount season, or wild new ideas that need a testing ground.

What are you offering?

Our winter season runs from 22 May to 30 August. You can pitch us a monthly show (once a month for the season), a weekly show (once a week for a month), or a one-off show.

We have show slots available Fridays at 8.15 & 9.30pm, Saturdays at 7, 8.15 & 9.30pm, and Sundays at 6 & 7pm. Shows at ITS tend to be at most 60min (Sundays 6pm are 45min), but we may be able to accommodate other formats for the right idea.

Our theatre in Redfern seats 60 audience members. The standard venue hire fee is either 30% of net box office (after GST & booking fees are deducted) or a flat fee of $170, whichever is greater. You can find all the details of what’s included in the venue hire here.

How do I pitch?

When pitches are open, you can pitch via our pitching form. We’ll ask a couple of logistical questions (availability, requirements, etc), and also get you to upload two attachments:

1. Outline your concept, why you want to put it on, any production history, and marketing plans. It’s fine if the show is still in development — get us excited about your dreams!
2. Provide bios of the key creatives, and detail any confirmed cast.

Each of these should be 1–2 A4 pages, or a 3–5 minute video/audio. The form has all the details of what to include in the attachments.

But don’t leave it until the last minute: we’ll read pitches as they come in and may have follow-up questions, so the sooner you pitch the longer we have to chat to you!

Then what happens?

We’ll read all the pitches and start putting a season together. We’ll get back to everybody, successful or not, within a few weeks of pitches closing.

Producers of programmed shows will be asked to sign a venue hire agreement and complete our marketing form soon after accepting the pitch. This is to allow us enough time to get shows on sale before our season launch (it’s fine to just have placeholder details for updating later).

What if I’m still learning how to put on a show?

You should check out our new incubator programme called ITS Coming Up. All the details are here.

I have a question!

We’re here to help! Email artistic director Jim Fishwick at jim@improvtheatresydney.com.au