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August 08, 2010

Seattle Comedy Competition Showcase

Talented comedians from across the Pacific Northwest will come to the Seattle Comedy Underground for a chance to earn a coveted spot in the 31st Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition.

Seattle International Comedy Competition Showcase

August 02, 2010

Now Accepting Applications for the 31st Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition

Applications for the 2010 Seattle International Comedy Competition are now closed.

<-- Comedians from around the world are invited to throw their hat into the ring for consideration of making the roster of the 31st Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition as applications are currently being accepted.-->

Applications are accepted by mail or email from June 1st until September 1st. From these applications, 32 comedians are chosen for one of the most exciting adventure of their careers. Those selected will either compete in Preliminary Week One, which runs from November 3rd through November 8th, or Preliminary Week Two, which runs from November 9th through November 14th. The top five comedians from each Preliminary Week will meet in the Semi-Finals Week, November 16th through November 21st. The top five from the Semi-Finals move on to the Finals Week, which starts on November 23rd and concludes with the crowning of a new champion on November 28th.
The event calendar will be updated with more specific information on the venues for each of these shows when details become available.

This is the 31st Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition. The very first Seattle International Comedy Competition was won by David Silverman in 1980. The most recent champion, in last year’s 30th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition, is Sean Kent.

HOW TO APPLY

1) Are you eligible?

- Are you at least 21 years of age?
- Were you NOT in last year's competition?

If you can answer “yes” to those questions, you are eligible to apply.
Above and beyond being simply “eligible”, this competition is looking for active and compelling stand-up comedy talent.

2) Is it time to apply?

The application process runs from June 1st through September 1st.
Any applications received after September 1st may not receive full consideration, depending on how far along the roster selection process has gotten.

3) What do I need to include in my application?

Basic information: Your name, your location, your phone number and your email address
Brief biography describing your comedy experience
Video of you performing comedy

NOTE: Your brief biography shouldn't just be your promotional boilerplate. We're interested in are things like: how long you've been performing comedy, what are your major comedy career milestones, etc.. Recommendations or references are optional—if you include them, make certain your references know that you've used them as references.

Your video should show you doing what you do best. We recommend clips that are approximately ten minutes long of you performing stand-up comedy for an audience, unedited. (This is not a competition for video editors..) Videos shorter than five minutes would not show us what you could actually do in the competition. Videos showing us your entire two hour long theater headline set won’t be watched in their entirety. It is very important that you can both be seen and heard clearly on your video.


4) How do I get my application to you?

You can choose to apply by email, linking us to your hosted online video. Send your application to BOTH: pgreyy@gmail.com AND ron@comedyunderground.com

You can choose to apply by mail, sending us your video on DVD or VHS. Mail to Peter Greyy 2816 NW 64th St Seattle, WA 98107 or Ron Reid 1402 N. 136th St. Seattle, WA 98133.

Please make it clear that this is your application to the Seattle International Comedy Competition in the title/subject line of your email or envelope.


5) Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an application fee?

Not to apply for the 2010 event, but in the future, there may be.

Why do you need to be 21 years of age?

Some shows are held in casinos that deny entry to those under 21, even performers.

Can I audition in person, instead of applying with a video?

Performers based in the Pacific Northwest will be given the opportunity to participate in a series of regional showcase events without having to go through the application process. Space on these showcase events is limited and by invitation only.

These showcases are meant to supplement our awareness of what these local and regional performers have been doing.

If you are an out-of-the-area performers who might happen to be in town during one of these showcases, we'd still rather get an official application with video from you.

Local and regional performers can either apply with video or request to be included on one of these showcase events by emailing pgreyy@gmail.com with "Interested in Seattle Competition Showcase" in the subject line.

What are my chances of being selected?

In most years, thirty-two comedians will compete in the competition. Last year, we had over 200 entrants.

When will I know if I've been selected or rejected?

The roster selection discussions go on throughout the process, but when all applications are in and all of the showcase events have been held, then decisions are made. Last year, we made it a point to let everyone know as soon as possible if they were definitely in, definitely out or still be considered--as we know that holding the entire month of November open is a hardship for any working comedian.

What if I have other questions that aren't answered here?

Feel free to email Director of Talent, Peter Greyy (pgreyy@gmail.com ) with any questions you may have and he'll do his best to get back to you as quickly as possible.