Travel Information

What venue(s) will be a part of the festival?

The festival will be held at the Contemporary Theater Company in Wakefield, RI. The theater seats approximately 100 and has a full bar and air conditioning! The Duo Bracket Challenge will be featured on the theater's Performance Patio adjacent to building. Both the theater and the performance patio are fully wheelchair accessible.

Workshops will take place at the theater and in the adjacent rehearsal studios. The theater and one of the two rehearsal studios are accessible without stairs, and we are happy to ensure that everyone is able to participate in any of the desired workshops.

We are located in Wakefield, Rhode Island in beautiful South County.

Driving: We are 20 minutes off of I-95 at 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.

Train: Kingston Station on the Northeast Corridor of Amtrak is 15 minutes from the theater. Wickford Station on the commuter rail from Boston is 15 minutes from the theater. We will have transportation from the stations available if you let us know your arrival time.

Air: Providence T.F. Green Airport is half an hour from the theater, and Boston Logan Airport is an hour and a half from the theater. We will have transportation from the Providence Airport available if you are traveling within certain timeframes at the beginning and end of the festival. (It's harder for us to get transportation in the middle of the festival because we're all busy at workshops and shows!)


What lodging options are available?

There are many nearby hotels and B&Bs in the South Kingstown and Narragansett area. We also have some community homestay options with locals available with advance notice!


What transportation options are available?

The Ocean State Improv Festival team is happy to provide transportation to and from the Providence Airport or Kingston Amtrak Train Station within specific time periods at the start and end of the festival.


What local events or attractions are available?

Southern Rhode Island is a beautiful and exciting area, and June is the perfect time to enjoy it! There are a wide range of activities available locally - dozens of local beaches, kayaking and paddle boarding, mini-golf, hiking and bird watching, and more!

There is a lovely bike path that passes by the theater, and leads to Narragansett Beach, making for a great afternoon walk or ride.

Festival Information

How much stage time will performers receive?

Troupes will receive a set between 20 and 30 minutes in length. Some troupes may receive two sets, but this is not guaranteed.

There are several other performance opportunities at the festival. Over the course of the festival, performers are encouraged to form a new duo with someone from another troupe to compete in the Sunday Duo Bracket Challenge. There are also three shows that will draw their ensemble from across the festival and various troupes: Micetro (Maestro), Theatresports, and Pirate.

Several workshops will have showcase performances in the festival as well.


What is the range of shows and styles the festival is seeking?

The festival welcomes all groups to apply, but we are particularly interested in having performances with a theatrical/narrative bent! Over the years, we have had troupes with a wide variety of styles and backgrounds, so we are open to anything.


What is the local improv scene like?

The improv scene in Rhode Island is ever-expanding! The Contemporary Theater Company performs several International Theatresports Institute formats including Micetro (also known as Maestro) and Theatresports! Much of our teaching and performing is based on the Keith Johnstone style, focusing on narrative, positivity, and theatricality. Our most popular improvised shows are full-length improvised plays such as murder mysteries and musicals. Guests from across the world have performed and taught at the CTC in the last several years, so our audiences are always welcoming of something new and exciting!


What are the festival's goals?

A major goal of the festival is to create a community feeling among performers, teachers, and students. Workshops are a focus of the festival, and it is our hope that everyone can come away from the festival with new skills, new friends, and new perspectives!