Digital comedy powerhouse Above Average – the online studio arm of Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video productions – has just announced a new, one-of-a-kind comedy residency program. And, lucky you: they’re accepting applications through April 1st.
The program “provides talent with the platform and resources necessary to build their skill sets, portfolios and industry relationships—uniquely positioning residents for consideration in Above Average’s talent pipeline or elsewhere in the comedy space.”
The first class of Above Average “residents” will be announced in late April, and the program isn’t limited to on-air talent; AA is looking for directors, editors, writers, graphic designers, and social producers, too. All positions will be paid, and residents will share in any equity earned from their work.
Above Average has long been known as a supportive playground for big stars; it’s home to many SNL stars personal projects, like Mike O’Brien’s 7 Minutes in Heaven, Sasheer Zamata’s Pursuit of Sexiness, and Paula Pell’s Hudson Valley Ballers. With a unique studio model that fosters unique projects from known names and edgy ideas from up-and-comers alike, Above Average has become more than just a production company – it’s a comedy incubator.
In the past year alone, AA original series Thingstarter was picked up by Seeso, and prolific staff writer Joanna Bradley was hired into SNL’s writers room; so, launching an official residency program makes a lot of sense, for a studio whose in-house talent is increasingly in demand.
More information on the residency, plus the application, can be found on Above Average’s site.
