Since 2017, Planet Ant’s Farm Teams have been our annual artist residency program, launching some of the boldest and most original work to come through our stages. Every year, four ensembles of artists are chosen by audition to spend a full year (January–December) creating, rehearsing, and performing at Planet Ant.
Farm Team Ethos
We support, we don’t dictate. We never tell artists what’s “funny” or what good “taste” is. We give them tools to view their work critically and the space to realize their vision.
Ensemble first. Each team is largely self-regulating. Members share responsibilities, hold each other accountable, and support one another’s success.
Honesty, effort, respect. We value artists who show up, put in the work, and treat collaborators with care.
Being on a Farm Team means access to performance space, rehearsal space, mentorship, and resources - all at no charge.
Each Farm Team—Film, Show, Improv, and One Act—are each focused on a different form of creative exploration. With ensembles of about 6–8 people per team, members self regulate, collaborate, experiment, and develop original work in a supportive, community-driven environment.
A coached ensemble performing every week as part of Monday Night Improv, focused on experimentation, ensemble chemistry, and creating a unique group style.
What do they do?
The Improv Farm Team is where performers sharpen their skills while creating something new. Every week, the ensemble performs as part of Monday Night Improv, one of the longest-running improv shows in Metro Detroit.
Members train with a coach, experiment with improv forms, and collaborate to develop their own style. The ensemble is intentionally large enough that members can occasionally miss performances without disrupting the group’s dynamic. The emphasis is on consistency, discovery, and ensemble growth.
A producing ensemble responsible for a recurring live show of their own design—blending sketch, stand-up, video, or whatever content the group creates.
What do they do?
The Weekly Show Team produces an ongoing show that is entirely their own. Each week, a different team member rotates into the Show Creator role, leading that week’s concept and material.
The content doesn’t have to be fully scripted—the team controls the balance of live performance, sketches, video, audience interaction, or any other format they choose. With this track, artists learn what it really takes to run a regular series: producing, marketing, and delivering content under deadline, while keeping it fresh and reflective of their collective voice.
A filmmaking residency where artists collaborate to create an original short film, with full access to Planet Ant’s equipment, spaces, and mentorship.
What do they do?
The Film Farm Team takes an idea from script to screen, working as a true film crew. Members serve as Writers/Directors, Producers, Cinematographers, Editors, and Performers (Writer/Directors may not act in their own projects).
Beyond mentorship and rehearsal space, the Film Team also gets access to Planet Ant’s filmmaking equipment and resources at no charge (full equipment list here). Teams learn the complete production process, building professional experience and creating a polished short film that premieres at Planet Ant.
An ensemble that writes, directs, and produces an original one-act play on Planet Ant’s Black Box stage.
What do they do?
The One-Act Farm Team creates a brand-new theatrical work, staged in the Black Box Theatre. Over the residency, members rotate through professional production roles including Writer/Director, Producer, Marketing Director, Stage Manager, and Performers (note: Writer/Directors may not act in their own play). The Assistant Director role is optional and varies by project.
Teams are responsible for casting, rehearsals, marketing, tech, and strike, with full access to Planet Ant’s rehearsal and performance spaces. With mentorship and resources provided, the One-Act Team mirrors the real-world process of producing theatre from start to finish—giving members the chance to premiere an original play on stage.
Interested in Auditioning?
Auditions for each year’s Farm Teams will be held in fall of each year. Artists may audition for one or more teams: Improv, One-Act, Film, or Weekly Show.
What you get:
A full year of artistic residency (January–December).
Guaranteed access to rehearsal and performance spaces.
Access to mentorship from experienced coaches, directors, and staff.
Visibility and amplification under the Planet Ant banner.
Community, accountability, and the freedom to experiment.
What we look for:
Honest, hardworking, and proactive artists.
Ensemble players who support others while taking responsibility for their own work.
People eager to experiment, grow, and make something they can’t anywhere else.
Passionate artists with unique ideas.
The Farm Team Logo
All Farm Team productions share a unified logo that identifies the work as part of Planet Ant’s annual artist residency. The logo appears on all posters, programs, and marketing throughout the season, giving audiences a clear signal that this is Farm Team work—ensemble-driven, original, and uniquely Planet Ant.
