Travel Information

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

All shows take place at Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington, VT. The venue has 160 seats in its cabaret-style room. (Some intimate shows and jams may also take place in the classroom, a 20-seat space in the same building.) All spaces are ADA accessible. The club is conveniently located on Main Street in downtown Burlington, within walking distance to hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, bars, cafes, and the lake. Burlington International Airport is a 10-minute drive.


What lodging options are available?

There are plenty of options in the area, but you will want to book early since there is a large tourist presence on holiday weekends. There are hotels, campgrounds, B&Bs, a hostel, and Air BnBs. Downtown options exist, but are limited; if you have a car, there are plenty of cheap hotels within a 10-minute drive.


What transportation options are available?

We don't provide transportation, but since the festival takes place downtown in our (very walkable) city, you won't have trouble getting around. If you're staying at a hotel outside the city limits, we do have Lyft and Uber here.


What dining options are available?

Although there may be some snacks provided to performers throughout the weekend, they'll be on their own for purchasing meals. The club has a restaurant that serves nachos, chicken fingers, wraps, poutine and more. Tons of area restaurants are in walking distance -- lots of farm to table and creative cuisine...and the beer here is amazing!


What local events or attractions are available?

This gets nailed down closer to the festival time, but generally we're able to get comps and discounts to everything from barcades and escape rooms to cafes and restaurants. Plus there's bowling, mini golf, trampoline park, etc. If you're outdoorsy, there are beaches, bike and kakak rentals, hiking trails, and a bike trail that hugs the lake for miles.

Festival Information

How much stage time will performers receive?

Generally set times are either 12, 15, or 30 minutes. We will also be running jams!


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

We're looking for all types of improv, and all kinds of performers. Whether it's long form, short form, musical improv, genre, narrative, game-based, YOU NAME IT...we want to see what you've got!


What is the local improv scene like?

Burlington has a relatively new but extremely dedicated and professional scene, full of talented and welcoming performers. Generally the long-form scene bends toward game-based UCB style, but not exclusively. There are also some short form troupes, musical improv, and a sketch scene developing. Performers here are excited to see other styles of improv and learn by seeing/talking to troupes from other places.


What are the festival's goals?

The festival is intended to A) give local troupes a chance to perform in front of great, improv-savvy audiences, B) bring outside troupes to Burlington to excite and inspire the performers here, and C) increase awareness in the Burlington area of the existence and quality of the improv available throughout the year at Vermont Comedy Club. We are also HUGE community builders, and by bringing troupes in from other places, we expand and strengthen our community.


What are the selection criteria for this festival?

We'll be looking at technical skill, of course, but we will also be looking for a stylistic variety in the teams featured on the fest. We want to set everyone up for success, and make every block on the festival different from the last. We want the schedule to be full of "can't miss" shows!


What unique improv experiences will performers gain?

Our scene, theater, city and community is so unique, and you'll have a GREAT time here. After a weekend of shows, jams, panel discussions of important issues, beach parties, dancing and making new friends, you won't want to leave. Come have fun with us!