Frequently Asked Questions: VIF2025

The Festival runs from Thursday, October 8, through Wednesday, October 15. If you like, you may also add extra day at Ferry Beach before and after.

October 8

1. Pre-Festival work day for staff and volunteers
2. Extra night for travelers, if needed

October 9

1. Early check-in: 11 am–2 pm 
2. Free group shuttles from Portland (Maine) International Jetport:  10 am–5 pm
3. First workshop: 2:30 pm 
4. Regular check-in: 4–6 pm
5. Dinner: 6–7 pm
6. Late check-in: 6:30–8 pm
7. Festival welcome: 8 pm

October 15 

1. Check out: 10 am
2. Lunch optional (must sign up): 12 pm
3. Festival ends: 1 pm
4. Group shuttles: 1:15 pm 
5. Volunteer time: 2-6 pm
6. Overnight available (extra cost)

October 16 

1. Extra day for those traveling, if needed
2. Final check out: 10 am

Contact Kristie at Ferry Beach to add any extra nights to your account:

Created to celebrate the gifts of improvisers age 50 and better, VIF also embraces our allies—younger improvisers who donate, advertise, participate, teach and play with us. Together we have formed an international community that relishes in the VIF signature improvisational style—one that is connected, respectful and richly informed by life experience.  

While other festivals have their own special characteristics, no other festival in the world can boast these accomplishments: 

VIF pioneered virtual improvisation

Seniors aren’t tech savvy? Well, in 2020, a crew led by a sexagenerian produced the first international, large-scale virtual improv festival—during a pandemic! That feat was repeated, even bigger and better, in 2021.

VIF also held over 350 virtual classes between March 2020 and December 2022. That is more classes live or virtual than any other theater or school, including Second City Chicago, The Groundlings in Los Angeles and The Magnet inn New York City, 

VIF offers the smallest class sizes of any festival or camp 

VIF’s typical ensemble is between 6 to 10 (8 is our sweet spot!). In other venues, a  class size of 16 to 24 participants is common. 

Fewer classmates mean more reps, more personal feedback, and closer connections among improvisers and their instructors.

Smaller classes also means more one-on-one time with our faculty at meals and during free time. VIF aims to disrupt the silos separating students from instructors that often exist at improv festivals.

VIF highlights “Vintage Gold” faculty

While all of our faculty are world recognized, VIF has the most extensive roster of Improv Masters who have 50 or more years on this planet. That means at least 80 percent of our instructors are truly Vintage Gold. 

These improvisers wrote the books, were directed  by Del Close, set up theater platforms at Second City, and were mentored by Keith Johnstone. The odds are you will never see this particular collection of improv greats in the same place at the same time again..

VIF boasts “The Vintage Vibe” 

The Vibe is real—ask anyone who has attended a live VIF Festival! Participants described their VIF experience as:  “transformative,” “magic,” “joyful,” “connection,” “widely international,” “age diverse, from 20s-90s,” “so much music improv” and more!

Based on feedback we received in our 2024 post-festival reviews, VIF will offer more choice in the construction of our hallmark curated teams. The wonderful experience with last year’s MEMORIES workshop (a special VIF ensemble that was longer than our usual intensive)  has informed our VIF2025 program. This year, ENSEMBLE is the artistic focus.

Here are some other changes for 2025:

• Room and board has been separated from festival costs.
• All billing is directly through Ferry Beach.
• An all-in-one event management system called Sched will allow for multiple ways to access the schedule, including an app, email and print.
• More choices: Curated Teams and Workshops
• Ensemble-focused settings will offer longer ensemble-based learning environments. You will select a particular faculty member, who will work with your ensemble to create a unique, collaborative experience.
• Free scheduled shuttles will be arranged to and from Portland International Jetport.
• Dedicated stage management will arrange shows to start  later and end by 10:30 pm most nights.
• All non-ensemble evening sets will be by submission only.
• Daily OpenSpace or free time will be built into the schedule, from 1 to 2:15 pm.
• More affordable single room options will be made available!And more to come…

It’s just three easy steps to complete your festival registration.  

STEP 1: Register through Ferry Beach. Go to https://my.vintageimprov.org/lodging or scan the QR below to pay for everything, including the Festival fee. Once you have submitted your choices and paid your 25 percent deposit upon checkout, you should receive a link to complete your Festival Waiver Packet (see Step 2, below).

STEP 2: Sign your Festival Waiver Packet. Go to https://my.vintageimprov.org/Waivers or scan the QR code below. Through the SignNow portal, you will be asked to complete waivers and agreements related to health, safety and media usage. Please read through thes 2025 documents carefully. Once you have signed and submitted your Festival Waiver Packet, it will trigger a link from our new scheduling app, Sched, welcoming you to VIF2025.

STEP 3: Create your Sched account. Sched is your key to booking your intensives and more. VIF receives an update of reservations from Ferry Beach each Friday. In order to receive your invitation to download Sched, we need both notification of your registration from Ferry Beach and the notification from SignNow that your Waiver Packet has been signed and submitted. If you would like to expedite the process of receiving your invitation to select your intensives, please forward a screenshot or copy of your Ferry Beach receipt after you have signed the waivers. Please check your spam and junk folders.

Once you  have completed the 3 registration steps, you will:

Register for your Festival Program, select your ensemble experiences, and more.

• Each person attending VIF2025 receives an invitation to create a personal account in Sched.
• Follow the link to allow you access to the schedule for VIF 2025.
• Once activated, your account allows you to select your intensive experiences and workshops. It is important to do this right away as the number of slots for any session is limited.
• To secure your spot in a 15-hour ensemble, use the ticket in your account. You will do the same thing for the 9-hour ensemble.

USE 3 TICKETS RIGHT AWAY

When you register on Sched, click on SCHEDULE, and you will see you have a number of tickets available immediately. Click on EVENT SCHEDULE and scroll down to find the options for you to check off now.  These include:

Ensembles

• 15-hour Performance Ensemble
• 9-hour Process Ensemble

Merchandise

• Choose your T-shirt  and/or hoodie size based on the measurements in the table below.
• Please make sure to choose true to size based on height and weight. The merch is generously proportioned , so it’s best not to pick an upsize.

Once you’ve chosen your items, click on MY SCHEDULE and you will see your choices for ensembles and merch have been added.

Other tickets will be released in the early summer, including:

• Arrival and departure shuttles
• Early arrival and late departure
• Volunteering to help for October 8, 9, or 15
• Lunch on October 15
• Workshops
• More

Please check your Sched account for more ticket options, as they may be added to your account as they become available.

Sched is the event platform VIF is using for 2025. Sched works to keep track of your festival events, let you connect with teachers, and personalize your schedule.

With the Sched  app, you’ll be able to:

• Choose your faculty-led ensembles
• Sign up for special workshops
• Get a free seat on a scheduled shuttle from Portland (Maine) International Jetport
• Sign up to register earlier than 4 pm on October 9 [IS THIS RIGHT?]
• Sign up to volunteer before, during or after the Festival
• Access your schedule on your computer or smartphone or by emailing yourself the info as a PDF to read or print a copy
• Read about our faculty to better inform your choices
• Create “My Schedule”—your personal lineup of workshops
• Sign up for the wait-list if a desired ensemble is full

How Will We Use Sched at the Festival?

Through the app or your computer browser, you will see any updates within minutes. 

Take real world examples from past festivals: an instructor is ill and we need to reassign people; a meeting room has become unavailable for the afternoon; or show order is going to change.  The administrator can quickly make changes as they become necessary.

With this new system, as soon as a solution is found, the affected people—from the whole group to an individual—will be able to see it reflected in the schedule.

Connect with your Instructor or ensemble.

A message function allows you to send information, share reflections and upload documents directly to those you are working with.

Convert your ticket vouchers into reservations to secure your spot.  

When you register for your free Sched account, you get access to all things Festival, allowing you to select one and only one generic ticket or each topic of interest (see “How do I register for VIF2025?”).

After you are fully online with Sched,  you can redeem those vouchers (generic tickets)  for actual physical spots in the desired activities. We use these tickets/vouchers whenever space is limited. Each redemption fills a spot, so it is important that you use yours as soon as possible. 

Please note: Right now, ensembles are filling. When people start to set their travel plans, the shuttles will begin filling. Closer to the festival, the workshops will all be listed.

You may only use your ticket vouchers once, so use them wisely. Better to wait until you have a flight than to pick the wrong shuttle now and lose the opportunity to take us up on the service.

You always have access to your unused tickets. They will not expire.

Here is a Generic Tutorial about the Sched App

The prices in 2025 are comparable with 2024. We have separated out lodging to give more options.

Here’s how the costs break down:

• Annual Membership $25
  To simplify, Ferry Beach has included the annual VIF membership in the fees being collected.
• Festival Fee
  • Member $995
  • Non-Member $1495
• Guest Fee
  • Member $250
  • Non-member $500
• Food $288
• Lodging for Entire Festival (per room unless noted otherwise)
  *Add $500 for non-members
  All linens and blankets are included—at savings of $50/person
  • Solo Dorm $780
  • Dorm Queen $870
  • Dorm Family $1020
  • Cross $1230       
  • Metz $1500     
  • Ocean Queen $990
  • Ocean Twin $930
  • Kelly/Claflin $1030
  • Morris $825 per bed
  • Solo Dorm Room Member Price $2088
  • Double Dorm Room Member Price $1698

— Travel expenses, room, board, and a stipend for faculty and on-site production staff. (Off-site production—the most consuming part of setting up the festival—is done by unpaid volunteers. We can always use more volunteers!)

— Supplies including consumable items like paper, computer ink, badge materials, stage items and other necessities that can used year over year, such as our piano, a few computers to run tech, a printer, and items the teachers request for their classes.

— 24 hours of Educational Programming, such as

• One 15-hour Performance-Based Ensemble
• One 9- to 12-hour Process-Based Ensemble
• Two to three one-off workshops
• Music improv options
• Many improv styles, from comedic to experimental

— 5 days with OpenSpace time

— Performances and Jams in the Gayla Theater

— Special events

• The Maestro
• World-class command performances
• The Make-Your-Improv-Wish-Come-True Cabaret
• The Smallest Mask

— Limited ensemble sizes (up to 10 members)

— Free scheduled round-trip group shuttles to and from the Portland airport

In determining the general Festival Fees, we evaluate pre-Festival off-site production and Festival on-site work, as well as the cost of limiting class size to give participants an enriched, more personal experience. Ongoing expenses also figure in. 

Pre-Festival Off-Site Production

VIF is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The majority of the festival is planned and produced by unpaid volunteers. As one of those volunteers, Artistic Director Miki Manting puts in hundreds of hours each Festival to set things up, with the expectation that she will be able to fully participate in the Festival itself. In 2023 and 2024, she did not have that opportunity. Changes have been made for 2025 to the structure of the planning process, so more money is being spent to create an infrastructure that is sustainable into the future. 

Using minimum wage as the rate, preproduction volunteers provide services that reduce the amount each person pays for the Festival fee by $800. That is a huge savings! And needless to say, we would love to spread the work out to more people. VIF really needs volunteers to do the “boring” but necessary things, 

During the Festival itself, the preplanners and volunteers should have the opportunity to fully engage in the festival experience. 

Festival On-Site Production

Faculty and on-site production staff are the Festival’s paid personnel. Ninety percent of what VIF collects in Festival Fees goes to our faculty and staff for travel expenses, room and board, and stipends.

Costs of Smaller Class Sizes. Delivering on the mission of VIF requires  providing a series of meaningful small-group learning experiences with world-class faculty. Our costs end up being comparable to the fees charged by other organizations whose class sizes are 16 to 24 participants. 

In other words, our ensemble and class size limit of 8 to 10 means our faculty cost us twice as much per class member as almost any other festival. As a nonprofit, we simply aim to estimate and collect the amount we spend. Anything beyond paying our expenses is funneled back into offering as many scholarships as possible.

Expenses. In addition, VIF purchases items necessary to run the festival. These include app and other subscriptions and fees, consumable items like paper, computer ink, badge materials, small items to support stage production, and faculty-requested supplies.

We also have larger ticket items that cost between $200 and $1,000. Such items are few but include our digital piano (which is nearing 7 years old), a few computers to run tech, and a printer.

Slots to perform at VIF2025 are competitive. There is no application fee.

Use the QR code below or this link to apply. https://my.vintageimprov.org/Submissions

Before you apply, please be aware: 

• We evaluate your submission, and, if we rank you high enough, we will offer you a performance spot.
• At least one member of your ensemble who will be performing must be age 50 or higher.
• Your whole team must register, reside, and participate fully in the entire festival. 
• Selected ensembles must have a history of working together. The set you submit should have been filmed within the last 12 months, and be live and unedited. 
• We encourage ensembles of 4 or more people who are new to VIF. We offer special incentives for any such selected ensembles to help reduce expenses.
• VIF is a nonprofit organization and we do our best to support those who need extra assistance to attend. Please do not let cost deter your group.
  • We have a generous International scholarship program.
  • We can offer scholarship assistance to North American improvisers as well.
• After completing the submission form, email us with your team’s name in the subject line to inform us of your submission. 
• Email questions to: and 
• Submissions are free but please do not waste our time if your ensemble is not prepared to participate in VIF2025.

Suggestion Ox is VIF’s anonymous reporting system. Here are some guidelines that we hope will facilitate a harmonious and meaningful experience in activities sponsored by Vintage Improv Festival Inc.

Procedures

VIF expects that, in the first session of an ensemble, the following will occur:

• A brief overview highlighting our commitment to respecting the differences that help create our diverse community.
• Provide the opportunity but not insist upon the sharing of pronouns.
• Announce that the Suggestion Ox link is available to anonymously report concerns for non-emergent issues. 
• Announce that emergency issues should be reported to the Artistic Director personally or, if the issue involves the Artistic Director, the Lead Producer on site.

On the first and each subsequent meeting of the same ensemble:

• Everyone should be allowed an opportunity to inform fellow class or cast members of issues they wish to avoid in order to relax and improvise to their fullest capacity. These issues may change  as the class continues, so please check in with each session.
• Create a safe space where members can opt out without needing to explain.
• Use the three-step  “Show the No-Zones “ method, which will be demonstrated at the VIF Welcome Ceremony:
  • STEP 1: A person demonstrates places to avoid on their own body.
  • STEP 2: All others show them they understand by repeating the demonstration.
  • STEP 3: The person then approves or corrects the no-touch zones.

Discrimination

VIF does not tolerate discrimination on any grounds, including but not limited to gender, color, race, nationality, ethnic origin, class, sexuality, disability, religion, politics, age, or appearance. We want to maintain a performing and learning environment free from sexual, racial, age-based, religious, ethnic, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/ or expression, and any other form of forbidden harassment of any volunteers, organizers, technical staff, performers, or students.

Stay away from content that puts down anyone because of their race, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, ability. Let’s lift everyone up in our play. Stay away from putting groups down who are at more of a disadvantage than your group. These topics may seem like common sense, but things can happen when you’re in the moment and not thinking about it. Please treat your scene partners with respect and patience, and they will do the same for you. Assume good will unless proven otherwise.

All of us are responsible for creating a safe and supportive environment where everyone has a chance to thrive. If something happens in class that makes you uncomfortable, please speak up about it in real time. If you do not feel comfortable doing that, if you can feel safe speaking to your teacher or the Artistic Director, please consider that option.

While we believe in free speech, we also believe in mutual respect. It is important to identify content that does not match the philosophy that playing to the height of one’s intelligence is always the best. We affirm the principle that each of us should all treat our classmates, faculty, staff, and audience as if they were poets and scholars.

Political Content

While there is often a generic recommendation that politics should be avoided in improv scenes, the particular times in which we are living makes this subject one some may wish to explore. While the theater community tends to attract many independent and creative thinkers, we should not assume or demand that everyone in our ensemble, festival, or audience will be similarly aligned politically with us. Theater and improv play may be designed to provide exploration of many sensitive topics. For experimentation in individual groups, rather than outright censoring such work, any sensitive political content may be addressed when the decision to do so comes from consensus and not coercion of the ensemble. If the ensemble establishes a safe place to explore political content, VIF will not censor it in performance and VIF may elect to offer a mediated and respectful post-performance talkback session where  the cast should be prepared to participate.

Check-In Concerns

All instructors should initiate a basic check-in at the beginning of each class session. If faculty forget, students and cast members should ask for this brief review. For class series, the check-in may be as simple as asking for updates. For new classes or one-off workshops, a more thorough review is warranted. Students have appreciated the opportunity to normalize the process of expressing sensitivities by going around the group one by one, so each member can contribute without feeling singled out.

During the discussion, please address the following:

• Avoid stereotyping.
• Do not act or play scenes assuming a character of a race or sexual orientation that you are not.
• Specifically avoid playing a POC if you are not a POC.
• Determine the class’s comfort level regarding playing same-gender or non-binary relationships. If you decide it is OK, please play with respect and abide by the limits set during the discussion.
• Each member demonstrates No-Touch Zones each session.
• Avoid touching scene partners without specific permissions.
• Do not “go blue.”
  • Avoid explicit or offensive sexual content and references.
  • Don’t put your scene partners into sexual situations with your characters.
  • There’s no reason love and relationships can’t be a part of your scenes but forcing your partner into intimate situations without their consent is neither good improv nor good manners.

If during class, if this inappropriate content arises, the faculty/instructor will stop the scene and go over the content with the class to help educate why and what happened. If the teacher misses the opportunity, class members should make them aware that the disrespectful content is interfering with an atmosphere of easeful learning. Please do this in the manner your ensemble has decided in consensus this should occur.

If offensive material keeps arising despite having VIF expectations discussed, a teacher or management may chat with the person of concern about the situation and/or, if necessary, remove the person violating the rules from class. If this occurs, VIF is under no obligation to provide alternative content.

VIF Improviser Bill of Rights

You have the right: 

• To be and feel safe during classes, rehearsals, and performances.
• To set boundaries regarding subject matter that might trigger a negative emotional response.
• To immediately step out of any scene, performance, rehearsal, or class in which you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. And you have the right to excuse yourself from any scene, performance, or exercise without explanation.
• To inform your teacher or coach of anything you want them to know ahead of time, even in private. such as physical or emotional conditions that might make playing certain games difficult or uncomfortably challenging.
• To speak to any teacher, VIF board member, or any other official representative of VIF regarding behavior by any person that you feel infringes on your rights.
• To turn down a suggestion from an audience/teacher/fellow student you feel is demeaning.
• To define what feels fun and what feels comfortable (and uncomfortable) for you without judgment from others.
• To fail, to succeed, to explore
• To love your work.

Exercising any of these rights will not adversely affect your ability to progress in classes, or to be cast in or perform in the shows.

This document is a work in progress.

Suggestions are incorporated each year based on feedback we receive. VIF gratefully acknowledges and thanks the following theaters who historically pioneered safety both virtually and in person: Leela, The Nursery, Dad’s Garage, HUGE Theater, and Voodoo Theater. Their examples supported the development of VIF Safety policies. Through their example, VIF has been able to construct and improve these policies. VIF maintains a  commitment to honor all members of our community as we each would choose to be honored as individuals.

The Basics

• Comfortable clothing: T and long-sleeve shirts, sweats/jeans, long or short pants, hiking shoes and/or closed-toe walking shoes, sun-shading hat. As Maine can be chilly in October, especially at night, consider packing clothing that can be layered, such as sweatshirt, sweater or fleece top, jacket
• Toiletries, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, hand and shower soap, shampoo, conditioner, Kleenex, comb/brush.etc.). Dorm bathrooms are communal, so shower shoes are recommended.
• Waterproof jacket, rain suit, poncho or umbrella
• A beach towel, beach chair and/or bathing suit (if you, like Sue Carroll, wants to brave Maine coastal waters in October!)
• Eyeshades, and earplugs or a white noise machine (expect snoring in the dorm rooms)
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Flashlight (if you don’t have one on your phone)
• Camera or phone camera
• CPAP Machine if you use one
• Pen and notepad (for class notes, journaling, jotting down ideas!)
• An improv white elephant gift

Other Useful Items

• Phone/tablet and chargers, and extension cord with surge protector
• Musical instruments, if you play one!
• Cash (we will have commemorative camp t-shirts, hoodies for sale and some snacks and beverages)
• Reading material for your chill time
• Any books or improv products you have published that you would like to sell, barter, trade or give away
• Personal mug
• Water bottle
• Snacks to share
• Hand towel
• USB portable battery for phone when not plugged into outlet
• Small backpack
• Your favorite toilet paper
• Resealable plastic bags
• A Bag for dirty clothes