Performer Submissions

Thank you for interest in the 2nd ever Sonoran All-Valley Improv Festival...aka SAVI FEST! The Fest is Friday February 14-Sunday February 16, 2025 at the MIX Center in Downtown Mesa, AZ.

Info About Submission Payment

For Payment

Our fees are a sliding scale of $0-$50. The revenue received from submissions go toward yearly SAVI FEST operating costs (such as website, supplies and other essential systems), the remaining amount goes toward our scholarship programs and travel support for visiting artists.
How much you pay has no impact on your submission and is kept hidden from our judges and submission committee. We are a non-profit, what you choose to pay only supports our efforts to bring a quality festival of improv to Arizona.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUBMISSIONS: Email programming@savifest.com

Why is my payment going to Improv Utopia?

Improv Utopia is our fiscal nonprofit sponsor this year. As such, they are providing our payment systems.

More Submission FAQ

We require a link to a video representation of your full performance.
- A video of just a segment of your show or no video lessons your chances of mainstage, however, will keep you in consideration for alternative programming.
We have a submissions committee of anonymous volunteer judges managed by a committee lead. The committee lead is managed by our Artistic Director and they are the only festival director reviewing submissions. After a committee finishes the reviewing process, metrics are measured and recommendations are made to our full leadership team of directors.
VIBE:
- Teams energy and engagement.
FORM:
- Teams ability to execute beginning to end.
STYLE:
- Teams unique voice and delivery.
SAVI FEST wants a full program of diverse representation of the art form. We are looking for balance of duos and ensembles that bring a variety of different performance styles.
- Our festival Mainstage will feature up to 24 teams performing up to 20 minute sets. Our goal is to attract a new audience to the best Improv has to offer.
- Our alt Mainstage event will focus on new and exciting uses of improv for performance. Our goal is to appeal to improv and art enthusiasts who care about the craft.
- Our alternative programing will feature podcasts and discussions focusing on and featuring Improv culture and philosophy.
We will build our program with a balance of these representations. We expect that your submission is a true picture of what you would bring to our stage in February should you be selected.
- Size - our submissions committee will be broken up into reviewing groups based on ensemble size. Therefore, all duos will be measured together, 3-5 folks and large ensembles (6+).
- Style - We will assume all submissions are longform and are looking for diversity in styles. Here are examples of the style options.
  - Genre/Musical/Gimmick - does your show have a unique aspect that sets it apart from traditional longform structures or montages.
  - Shortform - is your show shortform games or have elements that feel like shortform games. Performances are most likely 20 minutes, consider this if you are submitting shortform.
  - Podcast/Panel - is your submission perfect for alt programming, a live podcast taping or improv discussion that would be engaging. Alt programming slots will be 20 minutes with quick turnovers, please consider this if you're submitting for alt programming.
  - "Other" Consideration - is your show something outside of the usual improv box but still in the realm of the art? We are open to truly new, innovative, or alternative forms of improv. Specify how you define the style as best you can.
Yes! You sure can, you will need to submit seperately for each performance team or podcast/panel idea you have. Submission payment is prompted after every submission and you can use our sliding scale to make that affordable for you. Please keep in mind that we are looking for diversity of performers represented as well as sizes and styles. We aim to get as many folks on our stage as possible. If you have multiple teams or ideas with the same performers, best to consider this when submitting your projects.

SORRY OUR SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED *

Group/Show Name *

Contact Person *

Contact Phone Number *

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City, ST *

Group/Show Bio *

What is your ensemble size?

Duo

3-5 Performers

Ensemble (6+)

Cast List *

Cast Demographics (select all that apply):

Answering this question is optional. Answers will not affect admissions decisions. Sonoran All-Valley Improv is working to become a 501c3 nonprofit organization. To that end, we may use this demographics data in our applications for funding.

50% or more of the cast identify as a woman

Cast includes members who identify as non-binary or genderqueer

Cast includes members of the LGTBQ+ community

Cast includes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) performers

Prefer not to answer

Performance Style *

Select below all that apply. MORE INFO ABOUT CHOOSING STYLE: If you do pre-existing formats like Narrative, Harold, Armando, Montage, etc, or custom format built around our established functions of scenework and editing then you are solely longform structure. Additionally if your opening is typical or traditional to our artform such as, scene painting, audience interviews, organic ensemble game, etc, then you're also solely longform structure. If you're a traditional longform structure with a unique/innovative opening that heavily influences your show, then you might be Longform and Genre/Gimmick. If you're a narrative that does a 90s sitcom, then you're Longform and Genre/Gimmick. If your shortform and all the performers are playing wizards doing shortform, you are Shortform and Genre/Gimmick. If you're a podcast and your performers eat hot wings, Podcast and Gimmick. If you feel you have a style of performance that is not represented on this list, choose other and give more info in your show description to define that style.

Longform Structure

Genre/Musical/Gimmick

Shortform Game(s)

Podcast/Panel/Discussion

Other

If selected, what time slots could your group fill? *

We are aiming for shorter sets (20 minutes on average) to maximize the amount of teams on our stage. You can specify below if you're only interested in more time. The likelihood of longer sets are very slim and would be a max of 25 minutes. Check all that apply.

10 Minute Set

15 Minute Set

20 Minute Set

We're open to more time.

We'd need more time.

If selected, which dates is your group able to perform? *

Check both if you are available either date.

Friday, February 14th Mainstage

Saturday, February 15th Afternoon Mainstage

Saturday, February 15th Evening Mainstage

Sunday, February 16th Afternoon Alt Mainstage

Show Description *

Group or Show URL Video LInk *

Please submit a full video representation of the show/team you are submitting. If you are submitting a podcast, panel or improv discussion and don't have a video to submit, submit any URL to get through the form.

http://

URL For Social Media or Website

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT SEPTEMBER 17th

You will be redirected to make your payment.

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUBMISSIONS: Email programming@savifest.com

Status notifications will be delivered by November 2nd, 2025.

Our forms do not send automated confirmation emails. For Performer/Teacher subs, we will send and email every two weeks to confirm receipt of your submission. If you have questions in the meantime, use the contact form or email programming@savifest.com.