Performer Booking Info

Please Note: Applications for the 2027 Festival will open soon! Please sign up for our mailing list or follow us on social media for up-to-date information.

How the Money Works

Please don’t approach this as a money-making booking because THERE IS NO FINANCIAL GUARANTEE. The Moisture Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and the festival operates financially as a performers’ cooperative, with each performer receiving one share for each show in which they perform. Some acts may perform once and receive 1 share, while others may perform ten times and thus receive 10 shares. Over the years, the value of each share has varied between $25 to $55. At the end of the festival, after all the hard expenses have been paid and enough money is put aside to cover year-round operating costs, the remaining funds (if any) are divided by the total number of shares to determine the value of each share, and then this money is distributed to all of the performers and technicians on a share basis.

Hat-passing is not allowed at the festival. You are welcome to bring merchandise to sell but will need to make your own arrangements for accepting payment via Venmo or comparable service.

How the Shows at Moisture Festival Work

• All shows are in a variety format, with a host, a live show band and 8 to 10 acts in every show.
• Most shows include one or two aerial acts as part of the mix.
• Most Festival shows are for an audience of all ages. Our matinees attract more children but are not necessarily kids’ shows.
• Friday evenings performances include more adult-oriented material, including burlesque performances, and are suitable for patrons aged 18+.
• Most acts perform between 4 and 8 minutes. Please let us know the length of your act, and whether you can present a shorter act (or a shorter version of that act) in some shows. If your act runs more than 8 minutes, and cannot be shortened, please alert us to this fact.
• For acts that perform with music, we strongly encourage them to work with our live band, although it is possible to use recorded music. Our band leaders will contact you in advance to explore the possibilities.
• Every show features a mix of acts—rarely are two shows the same. Acts may appear anywhere from once to ten times over the month-long course of the festival, and no one performs in every show. Out-of-town acts usually come in for one or two weeks and perform in most, but not all, shows during their time in Seattle.
• All acts need to be able to set up and strike very quickly. Generally, there is limited tech rehearsal. We will provide a sound check and lighting check, and review necessary cues. This is a fast-moving festival, so acts that require extensive technical rehearsal are not advised. If you are booked, we will ask you to fully fill out your tech requirements in our performer tech needs questionnaire.
• All shows take place in the Broadway Performance Hall, where there is theatrical lighting, a sound system, technicians, and shared dressing rooms. The theater is not equipped to handle complicated unique technical demands, and lighting instruments usually cannot be refocused for a specific act, although two follow spots are available.
• Aerial artists are required to carry liability insurance and secure a rider naming Moisture Festival as an additional insured.

How Transportation, Housing, and Meals work

• Moisture Festival will work with artists based outside of Seattle to help arrange air or train travel. If you’d prefer to arrange your own airfare or train tickets, expenses must be preapproved to be considered for reimbursement.
• Ground transportation to and from the airport and the theater will be provided by our volunteers.
• Housing will be provided by our amazing volunteer hosts, taking into consideration personal preferences and needs.
• Each show day, Moisture Festival provides healthy and yummy snacks throughout the day, as well as a full dinner for performers, volunteers, and staff.
• Ferry tickets, baggage fees, and theater parking are reimbursable if receipts are submitted by April 30th.
• Mileage is reimbursable if you are driving from a radius of 30-200 miles outside of Seattle. Mileage rates will be determined annually. Any mileage beyond the 200 mile limit must be pre-approved to be considered reimbursable. 
• More travel details will be provided at the time of booking!

Booking Details

The Moisture Festival has a team of Booking Coordinators that select:

• Variety Acts
• Aerial Acts
• Regional Burlesque Acts for our adult-only shows at 7 PM and 10:30 PM on Friday nights

Please note:

• Acts using live animals are not allowed.
• Acts using fire or pyrotechnics are not allowed.

Burlesque Acts

Currently, Moisture Festival offers two shows on Fridays that are adult-only and combine burlesque with spicy variety acts (Frisky Fridays).

Since we currently only produce one day with burlesque acts, we can only accommodate burlesque performers who are regional (Bellingham to Portland). We cannot fly in burlesque acts for only one day of shows unless the performer also has a different act that is appropriate for the all-ages shows during the rest of the week. If this is the case, they should apply as both a Variety Act and as a Burlesque Act.

Festival Communication

Moisture Festival uses email to communicate with performers. You can contact us about performing in a future festival by emailing booking@moisturefestival.org.

Please remember that the Moisture Festival is primarily run by volunteers. There may be times when responses take a while. However, if you contact us and don’t hear back for a few weeks, please write again. Thank you for your understanding, and thank you for your desire to precipitate!

A 501(c)(3) organization.
(EIN: 20-3366934)