Types of Entries:
Any kind of comedic act may enter. That includes but is not limited to: stand-up, long-form improv, short-form improv, sketch, juggling, burlesque dancing, improvised monologues, pogo-sticking, and/or anything else that is legal (and preferably funny).
Entry Fee:
Each act pays a $10 entry fee to compete. If an improv group has 10 people in it, that would mean they would then pay $10, which averages out to $1 per person. If a comedian wants to enter, then they pay $10, which averages out to $10 per person. Regardless of how many groups are in the act, each act entering the contest pays $10.
This money pays the prize winners and for other aspect involved in facilitation of the contest. $10 per act is due on the night of the performance. If an act fails to show on the night of their scheduled performance, anyone can pay $10 and jump in their place. That doesn't mean you should Nancy Kerrigan somebody to compete.
Entering the Contest Multiple Times:
Because many improv and sketch performers are in multiple groups, there is no rule about the number of times a particular person or act can enter. Unlike a stand-up contest where you are only allowed one entry, in this variety contest, you can enter as many times as you like, providing there are slots available.
However, each time an act enters the contest, they must pay the $10 entry fee. It is possible an act could enter multiple times and then win the grand prize.
If an act has already competed and they wish to enter again, and if there is also an act who has not yet competed who also wishes to enter, in case there are a) no more slots available in the contest or b) no more slots available on a particular night in question, preference will be given to the act which has not yet competed.
Content Restrictions:
Do whatever you want. Who cares? As long as it is legal, do whatever the heck you want. Good advice, though: do something funny. That may help you win. Of course, if you stack the audience, even that may not matter.
Time Limit:
Each act gets up to 7 minutes to perform in the preliminary round and, if applicable, during the semi-final round. Each act performing in the finals gets 10 minutes to perform. A flashing light from the booth will signal each act when they have 2 minutes left. The lighting person will bring the stage lights down when each act's time is up. Or, if an act is done with their set, they can also end it at anytime. There is no penalty for going under the allotted time. If an act goes over their allotted time, it is possible they will be blacked out during their set, possibly at an inconvenient time for them.
Determination of Winner(s):
The winner of each preliminary round will be determined by audience votes. Each paying audience member will receive a ballot when they pay for their ticket. Each ticket is worth one vote. If an audience member decides to purchase multiple tickets, regardless of how many people actually show up for those tickets, they are allotted one vote per ticket.
After the final competitor performs each night, all ballots will be collected. A headlining act will perform as the ballots are being tallied. Then, after the headlining act performs, a winner for each night will be announced. The winning act from each night will move on to the semi-final round. In the event of a tie for first place, the top two acts will move to the semi-final round.
Assuming there are no ties in the preliminary rounds, five acts will compete in each semi-final round. The top three acts from each of the to semi-final rounds will move on to the final round. Six acts will compete in the final round. The act with the most audience votes wins. The person with the second most audience votes comes in second place and so on and so forth.
In the event of a tie on the night of the final round, the competitors in question will split the winnings in question.
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