Travel Information

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

The sole venue for the 2020 Alaska State Improv Festival is McPhetres Hall. The venue is conveniently located on Gold Street, just a few blocks from downtown hotels and restaurants.


What lodging options are available?

AS IF arranges for room blocks at downtown hotels. The past few years, room blocks have been available at Four Points by Sheraton and at the Baranof Hotel (now a Best Western Signature Hotel). Room block rates vary by year, but have generally been between $99 & $119 per night, double occupancy plus tax.


What transportation options are available?

Downtown Juneau is approximately 10 miles from the Juneau International Airport. Festival volunteers provide transportation to and from the airport for all flights arriving or departing after 9:00am.


What dining options are available?

Downtown Juneau has an abundance of restaurants for all tastes. SALT and In Bocca Al Lupo both feature James Beard Award winning chefs, the crab bisque at Tracy's Crab Shack & McGiveney's is world-renowned, and everyone seems to eventually end up at Pel'Meni for a round of Russian dumplings. In addition to the restaurant scene, there is a natural foods store in the downtown core and a full service supermarket within easy walking distance of the core.


What local events or attractions are available?

Juneau has many natural wonders, a robust trail system, and a number of museums and art galleries. Juneau's Mini-Con happens on the same weekend as the festival. (See https://minicon.alaskarobotics.com/) AS IF attendees are welcome to attend Mini-Con activities during the day and come to the improv festival at night.

Many tour excursions begin upon the arrival of the first cruise ship. Presently, the first ship scheduled is the Norwegian Joy on Tuesday, April 28th. Expect the cruise schedule to fill out closer to the beginning of the calendar year. If you are hoping to go ziplining or take the Mount Roberts Tramway, please make certain your itinerary keeps you in town long enough to partake in these experiences.

Festival Information

How much stage time will performers receive?

Most performers receive a 22 to 25 minute set. Each set's headliner usually receives a 25 to 35 minute set. In exceptional circumstances, AS IF has provided extended sets. If you have a show, such as an improvised play, that requires a longer run time then we ask that you inform us of that need with your submission.


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

Our ideal festival features exceptional shows that highlight the range of what improvisational theater can be. Our scoring rubric appears on The Improv Network (http://www.theimprovnetwork.org/the-rubric/) and is still representative of how AS IF reviews and selects acts for the festival.


What is the local improv scene like?

The improv scene reflects the isolated nature of our community - there hasn't really been anyone to tell us what's *not* possible, so our performers have often followed their interests. This has led to a wide range of longform shows, including (but not limited to) steampunk-themed action adventure, improvised one-act plays, on-the-spot slam poetry, and meme-themed improv. The audience at AS IF is largely composed of arts lovers and appreciative theater goers.


What are the festival's goals?

The festival was originally formed as a means to provide additional instruction to our performers and to expose the community to a wide range of performers - expanding their concept of what improv can be.

While the original goals are still in place, we are also in awe of the support we have received from the international improv community. Many people across the improv community are personally invested in what we do here. We are part of something larger than ourselves, and we have a responsibility to all of you to present ourselves and our shared art in the best light possible.


What are the selection criteria for this festival?

Our scoring rubric appears on The Improv Network (http://www.theimprovnetwork.org/the-rubric/) and is still representative of how AS IF reviews and selects acts for the festival.


What unique improv experiences will performers gain?

Juneau receives 1.3 million tour visitors each year, beginning in late April. It's no mistake that AS IF happens right before the first ship arrives. We know we live in a beautiful place, and we want to share it with you before the crowds come!

AS IF offers a beautiful setting, a professional and attractive venue, and exceptional hospitality. Many people who have been to AS IF return in future years. Most of our first-time ensembles apply because they've heard great things about the festival. If you've never been, we invite you to ask around - someone you know has been to the Alaska State Improv Festival and will certainly tell you about their experience.