WE Residency Program

About

What is the We Residency Program?

The WE Residency Program is your chance to take more ownership over the direction of your own growth and the growth of WE. WE believes in the collective power of a community where all members contribute and all members benefit. WE does not believe in the necessity for auditions to make improv fun and entertaining. WE believes auditions are primarily used to infuse power and hierarchy into an art collective and WE thinks that’s some bullshit. WE’s flagship teams are all residency teams. A residency team is made up of current and former students who form a team, decide on a focus or form, and select a coach from the WE roster of coaches. In other words, WE empowers players to create their own teams and self-select their focus and use the WE stage to make a name for themselves.

You want to play regularly at WE? Here’s how to do it.

  1. Form a team of seven players, six of which need to be WE alumni (meaning they have taken three workshops)

  2. Exclusion to the seven players: You may pay $25 per person per month for every open slot on your team. For example, if you have a roster of five, you will pay an additional $50 a month.

  3. Select a coach from the WE roster of coaches. Outside coaches are permitted, but must first be approved by a WE Director.

  4. Select a form or focus.

  5. After completing the above, email weimprovcomedy@gmail.com with the subject heading RESIDENCY TEAM SUBMISSION.

I submitted a team, now what?

Assuming all criteria have been met, your team will be added to the WE Residency list to await a Residency spot. A WE residency spot is a heavily discounted rate for a guaranteed and consistent performance spot. No submissions, no emails, no hoping for an audience, no coordinating show times with schedules. Every month you will have between 1 and 3 guaranteed show slots at the same time in the same place.

What kind of commitment should I expect?

In exchange for the spot, WE Residency Teams are expected to:

  1. Have a minimum of five players at every show

  2. Promote your shows at least once a month

  3. Be on time and stay for your hour

  4. Your coach must attend at least one show a month

WE Residency Teams are given a three-month trial period where they will be evaluated not on the quality of their shows (because WE believes in its instructional methods and the commitment of the individuals on their teams), but on their commitment as a team. If you show up in full attendance, if you practice regularly, and you celebrate your spot by inviting others and promoting the show, you will be eligible for a six-moth residency, and be give a team page on the website.

After that, you will be eligible for either a House Team position or a Producer Team position. Vacant spots on teams or on show nights will not be tolerated and your spot will be vacated for another team. In other words, take advantage of the opportunity, not the community. 

How is WE’s roster of teams different from other improv theatres?

WE’s aim is to be a place where people can go to see the best improv in LA performed by people who believe in one another, trust one another, and are excited to play with one another in front of a live audience. The WE Residency Program is at the heart of that. Teams are not built by an outside committee or managed by an artistic director. Every WE team was built by the players on it. It is individual and team empowerment. There are no hoops outside of consistency. WE is designed to be affordable, accessible, and inclusive. This is not only good business because it celebrates what is possible for any student who commits and is persistent, but it creates a space for people to feel welcome and valued.

What are House Teams and Producer Teams?

House Teams are paid positions at WE and Producer Teams are teams that help produce and run WE shows and perform weekly. Both are available to eligible Residency Teams.

More Questions?


If you are interested or have additional questions, please email weimprovcomedy@gmail.com with the subject line: Residency

Or fill out this form below with the subject: Residency

Upcoming Residency team shows.

Come out and check out our house and residency teams!