After cutting class for the last 10 months, Study Hall Philly is back in session! And for the first time in the show’s history, we’re holding open auditions to add some new students to the class. Auditions will be held on Sunday September 27th from 12pm – 3pm at Improv For a Cause. You can register at the below link.
Study Hall: Comedy Inspired by Lectures invites guest experts from a wide variety of fields to come and educate the audience and cast on a topic. After each lecture the cast uses what they learned to inspire the improv. The result is a show that is always educational, always entertaining, and never the same twice!
We’re looking for positive, collaborative improvisers who listen closely, make bold choices, are familiar with playing with premise, and enjoy finding comedy in unexpected places. Because every performance has new topics, that curiosity will help you find the fun. If you like learning something interesting and immediately turning it into something funny, we’d love to see you audition.
Crossroads Comedy Theater is committed to creating welcoming, supportive spaces where people can play, learn, and connect through comedy. We encourage performers from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives to audition.
Ready to go to the head of the class? Check out full details below and then fill out the form. If you have any questions you can email auditions@xroadscomedy.com. If you would prefer a phone call, please include some times that you are available.
ABOUT STUDY HALL
Study Hall has been a staple of the Philly comedy scene since it was created by Mike Marbach, Michael Yudell, and Philly improv team, Asteroid!, in 2011 for the Philly Science Festival. The concept officially became “Study Hall” when it debuted in the 2013 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
Since then it has done countless shows at Philly Improv Theater and SideQuest Theatre as well as dozens of special performances at schools, museums, and other organizations including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Museum of the American Revolution, the Academy of Natural Sciences, The Philadelphia Science Festival, The Franklin Institute, The Science History Museum, Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, LaSalle University, and many more. Along with Not Yet Rated: An Improvised Movie, Study Hall has grown into Crossroads Comedy Theater’s signature production.
Study Hall now runs regularly with a local cast in Indianapolis and original director, Mike Marbach directing. The show has also appeared multiple times at The Second City in Chicago with a Chicago cast.
ABOUT CROSSROADS COMEDY THEATER
Crossroads Comedy Theater is a nonprofit arts organization operating in Philadelphia and Indianapolis. We are dedicated to making comedy and arts education accessible, welcoming, and impactful. We create positive, supportive spaces where people can explore their creativity, build valuable life and work skills, and find a “third place” to learn, connect, and have fun. Through student aid, pay-what-you-can events, community partnerships, and other accessibility efforts, we work to lower barriers so that everyone can experience the power and joy of creative expression.
STUDY HALL FAQ
Crossroads does not have a full time performance space and for that reason locations and dates can be less consistent. Historically we have appeared at the Adrienne Theatre with Philly Improv Theater & SideQuest Theater, Plays & Players Theatre, and at lots of schools, museums, and organizations in the greater Philadelphia area.
For 2026 we have a few dates booked which are outlined in the audition form. We are currently planning 2027 performances.
Our main focus in 2027 is going to be performances in more non-traditional spaces, with our artistic partners at their locations, and on site with organizations who book Study Hall for private events. Please note that Plays & Players is not a wheelchair accessible space, but it is our intention to make accessible locations a priority.
Coaching and practice space costs will be covered by Crossroads. Through 2026 Study Hall will be coached by Max Sittenfeld. Max is a long-time Philly improviser having performed on various teams since 2012 including Davenger, Max & Maggy, Triple Double, and more.
Practice will take place at Improv For a Cause inside the Adrienne Theatre at 2030 Sansom Street on Tuesday nights weekly in October and then one to two times a month after. Practice schedule may shift depending on what is booked show-wise for that month.
We are looking for a cast of 8-10 committed performers total.
You will be emailed a slot time after submitting your audition request and placed in a group with 8 other improvisers. Each audition block is 25 minutes though depending on group size we may not use that full time.
Audition will consist of:
- Group warm-up
- Quick round of two person scenes
- Dry run of the show style
- Improv montage inspired by a lecture
On Saturday September 26th @ 11am there will be a virtual Q&A where you can talk about the show and the audition with Crossroads Founder & original Study Hall Philly director, Mike Marbach. On the audition form select that you would like to attend and closer to the 9/26 you will receive a link.
A lecturer teaches a lesson and then there is improv inspired by it. That happens three times through the hour-long performance. Essentially an Armando form where the monologues are replaced with lectures. The style of improv is premise based and thrives on clear initiations with full support and timely editing.
Yes! Some performances will have a guaranteed payment while others will be reliant on ticket sales.
Cast members will be paid a minimum of $50 for each commissioned performance. A commissioned performance is any performance booked by a school, museum, or other such organization where payment is not dependent on ticket sales.
For Crossroads produced shows that are reliant on ticket sales, cast members will receive 50% of ticket sales after expenses spread equally among the present cast.
This should be viewed as a commitment through 2026. Everyone cast is only expected to stay on through the end of the year. Later in the Fall we will check in with everyone to discuss plans for 2027. If the schedule or interest of any performers has shifted, they will be able to bow out gracefully. If the theater is looking to make any changes to the cast, that will be communicated.
It boils down to this: treat people with respect. Crossroads does not tolerate hateful, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior. Any behavior that undermines a respectful, inclusive, and productive learning environment may result in removal from the cast. We understand that comedy often involves pulling from personal experience, taking creative risks, and exploring challenging material. That does not excuse behavior that shuts others down, creates an unsafe environment, or interferes with the experience of the cast or audience. We strive to be inclusive of all experiences and recognize that we are always learning. Our goal is to maintain an experience that is safe, respectful, and supportive of creative risk-taking and vulnerability for performers and audience alike.
The use of recreational drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol is not permitted during practice or show obligations. Attending practice or performances under the influence, or behavior impacted by prior substance use that disrupts the experience, may result in removal.
