The official page of the world's largest school of improv and sketch comedy!
Chicago is the world capital of improv and sketch comedy, and The Second City is in the heart of it. For over sixty years The Second City has created a wealth of comedic material from a legendary group of performers. We offer a variety of classes in the performance arts for students at any level of experience.
Operating as usual
06/15/2023
We were so proud to hold a special workshop hosted by alum David Razowsky yesterday!
David’s three-hour workshop focused on establishing emotional connections, points of view, and beat changes.
What a great opportunity to work with one of the best teachers and actors on the improv stage today.
05/22/2023
Congratulations to THREE DIFFERENT CASTS on their final graduation shows tonight!🥳
Completing the Conservatory Program at Second City is no small feat, and an actual show run to cap it off is the proverbial icing on your training center experience cake!
Students can see these shows for free during their regular run before graduation night. Rush tickets are available at box office. Be sure to congratulate these grads when you see them around the building!
05/15/2023
It's time to make summer 2023 one to remember! ✨
Fun and creative camp choice for the kids? We got it! 🤩
Improv, stand-up, or writing classes designed to help you hone your own hilarious skills? We got you there too! ⭐
Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the scene, you'll make unforgettable memories with us this summer! 🤗
https://www.secondcity.com
04/10/2023
Extra! Extra! 🗞️
Comedy Studies Program Deadline Extended! 🎉
You now have till the end of April!
Program Requirements:
-Are currently enrolled or have recently graduated- at the undergraduate level in a college or university
-Have, or will have, reached a minimum of junior-level standing- or have successfully completed a minimum of 60 credit hours- by the time the program begins
-Demonstrate training and/or accomplishment in performance, comic writing and improvisation.
Not sure you meet the requirements?
Reach out to [email protected]
03/20/2023
TERM 3 CLASSES NOW OPEN 🙌
What's your best real-life bit? 👀
From improv, to stand-up, to writing for late night television - we have a ton of classes to help you level up your bit game...but hurry...spots go fast.💨
Check out all options via the link below!
https://www.secondcity.com/courses/chicago/adult/
03/16/2023
A movie starring iconic Second City Alumni, in our iconic city, in one of the most iconic movie theaters in the country?!
“Yes, and” how many friends can I bring?
Show your student ID for a discount at the door and complete your:
“Mission from god.” 🙌🎶🎵
03/14/2023
Did you miss last nights packed performance?!
These graduate shows are fantastic ways to see rising talent at Second City. You have two more chances to see these groups!
Student here?! Rush tickets are free with your student I.D…while there are tickets left 🥳
02/15/2023
What do you know about Second City's Comedy Studies Program?! 👀
Not much?! That's okay! Come armed with your questions next Wednesday at 11:30 am for an Instagram live hosted by Program Director Anne Libera!
See you soon! 🥳
02/14/2023
At The Second City Training Center - The Only Games You'll Play Are Improv Games. 🥰🥂❤️
Ever thought about trying a comedy class?
They say that a "sense of humor" is one of the greatest qualities in a significant other...who knows? You might find your next big break....skip the break-up!
Use code SCVDAY for 15% off our 7-week intro classes!*
*Offer valid for introductory 7-week classes in Improv, Writing, Stand-Up and Acting. Offer subject to approval. Must be redeemed by 2/20/23.
02/08/2023
One of the best perks of being a Second City student has to be that Grad 3 shows are free to see! 🥳
Did you miss the first preview night?! No worries, you have a few more chances to catch the two back-to-back preview shows and their final show run!
02/02/2023
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2023 SNL Scholarship! 🥳🎉
In partnership with Saturday Night Live, this scholarship will provide tuition-free training to diverse comedic talent from varying levels of experience. In addition to receiving performance and writing training at The Second City Training Center, recipients will be connected to SNL talent executives and be able to submit an audition tape or sketch packet to SNL for the landmark show!
The following recipients were awarded scholarships and will begin their training with The Second City this March: Magdalena AL-Ghraibawi, Caia Cammie, Liam Fallows, and Victoria Franso.
Please wish them a huge congratulations!!!
To read more on our recipients and program, visit the link below!
https://www.secondcity.com/network/second-city-announces-2023-snl-scholarship-recipients/
01/30/2023
Congratulations to the "Intrusive Thoughts and Prayers" cast on their final graduation show tonight!
Finishing the conservatory at Second City is no small feat, and an actual show run to cap it off is just icing on the training center experience cake.
Students remember that you can see these shows for free and make sure to congratulate these grads when you see them in the building!
01/19/2023
BIG NEWS!!!📰
This February, we are celebrating the new year by offering FREE improv classes over 28 days! 🆓
This means YOU - your friends, co-workers, and even your kids - can sign up for a 90-minute improv class at NO COST! Participants will enjoy our Chicago Training Centre space, learn the fundamentals of improv with our pro-faculty, and receive discounts off future classes with us.
We've also got some incredible groups joining us for private sessions - including schools, corporate groups, non-profits, influencers, and MORE.
Interested in getting in on the fun?
Head to the link in our bio for more info or to claim your session today!
12/20/2022
New Year’s resolution to make more people laugh? We can help! 🥳
POWER UP this year with The Second City Training Center for Term 1 Classes, beginning January 9th!
From improv, to stand-up, to writing for late night television - we have the class to fit your comedic niche. Make laughter a priority.
Check out all options via the link in our bio ->
Can't wait to see you there!
12/08/2022
Great time having Rick & Laura Hall in today for both a workshop and a Q&A with our students and faculty.
Talk about a power couple and invaluable knowledge passed on to all who attended 🥳🥰
12/05/2022
YES NPR!!!❤️
The rules of improv can make you funnier. They can also make you more confident. : Life Kit Improv comedy is about more than making people laugh. It can help performers be more creative and self-assured — and combat anxiety, both on and off stage.
11/28/2022
Student Perk Alert! 🤩
The Second City Training Center welcomes alumni Rick & Laura Hall: acclaimed musicians, improvisors, and comedians to lead a Q&A and Workshop for students!
Together Rick and Laura teach music improv around the country, and we are lucky to have them teaching here at The Second City Training Center. 🎶
Join us for:
Workshop: Thursday, 12/8 from 10AM-1PM - $95
Q&A: Thursday, 12/8 from 2-3PM - $10
Sign up for both opportunities via this link!
https://www.secondcity.com/classes/chicago/rick-laura-hall
11/28/2022
Cyber Monday Deal? Of Course! 🙌
SAVE ON SHOWS AND CAMPS! 🎉
Use code "CYBER22" to score these savings on select laugh-out-loud shows & camps.
$25 general admission tickets to select shows in February!
Deal ends tonight at midnight.
$50 off summer camps, in person or online!
Deal ends 11/30 at midnight.
Take advantage here:
https://www.secondcity.com/cyber-monday-2022-deals/
11/25/2022
Are you ready for the biggest sale of the year?! 🤩
Your window to take advantage is short!
USE CODE "BLACKFRIDAY22" FOR:
SHOWS - Offer is good for $25 GA tickets to all performances of "Swipes Right" & "When They Go Low, We Go High" and Thursday/Sunday performances of "Great Altercations" in February only.
Ends tonight at midnight.
CLASSES - 30% off all Training Center Writing Classes! Offer is good for 30% off Training Center Writing Classes, in-person or online!
Offer ends at midnight 11/26.
https://www.secondcity.com/black-friday-2022-deals/
What makes a better gift than improv shows or classes...nothing!
11/10/2022
VICTOR WONG UPDATE - PERFORMER SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN! 🙌
Calling all AAPI talent: up & coming comics and music directors!
Performer Submissions will be open from 11/10-11/14. Submissions for the fellowship via the link in our bio!
Music Director submissions will EXTEND their submission deadline to 11/14 - there is still time to apply!
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE!🔥🙌
11/07/2022
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY!!
Don't miss out on our upcoming Q&A with Maritza Cabrera - next Thursday, November 17th!
Maritza Cabrera is a Cuban American Talent and Literary Manager and Producer at Zero Gravity Management, one of the top Management/Production companies responsible for Ozark, Beast of No Nation, The Accountant, and The Marksman to name a few. She represents a diverse roster of actors, writers, directors, and showrunners and enjoys making their dreams a reality.
Join our Q&A next Thursday, moderated by Second City's Claudia Wallace, for amazing insight on career moves, preparing for your first steps and how to prepare for success!
This is a FREE event for students, but spots will go FAST, so sign up today via the link in our bio!
11/07/2022
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY!!
Don't miss out on our upcoming Q&A with Maritza Cabrera - next Thursday, November 17th!
Maritza Cabrera is a Cuban American Talent and Literary Manager and Producer at Zero Gravity Management, one of LA’s top Management/Production companies responsible for Ozark, Beast of No Nation, The Accountant, and The Marksman to name a few. She represents a diverse roster of actors, writers, directors, and showrunners and enjoys making their dreams a reality.
Join our Q&A next Thursday, moderated by Second City's Claudia Wallace, for insight on moving to Hollywood, preparing for your first steps and how to prepare for success!
This is a FREE event for students, but spots will go FAST, so sign up today via the link in our bio!
10/27/2022
Submissions OPEN: Victor Wong Music Director Fellowship!🎵
The Second City is looking for great pianists who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) to join the fellowship as mentored Music Directors alongside the ensemble of Fellowship performers. The fellows will also have access to the theater's executive creative team and alumni, including AAPI mentors.
Successful candidates will have strong and flexible piano skills; will have a strong interest in learning about and helping to develop comedic sketch and song material; will learn how to underscore live improvised scenes and games; have classes and workshops in comedy and music direction, including sound design and song writing. 🎹
The Music Director Fellows will take part in a final showcase run, either observing a veteran Music Director or taking part as an MD (depending on readiness). The Fellowship will begin meeting in January 2023 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and the final showcase is on Tuesdays on May 9, 16, 23 and 30 (with a preview performance on May 2).
This is an unpaid opportunity with all tuition costs covered by the generous endowment from Peng Zhao and Cherry Chen.
To apply, visit the link below! 🎶
https://www.secondcity.com/classes/chicago/victor-wong-fellowship
10/21/2022
Still thinking about the Comedy Studies Program?
Applications for Spring 2023 are due by November 2nd!!!
Head to the link in our bio to learn more about the semester of comedy you've been waiting for! 🏫🎓
09/27/2022
THIS WEEKEND - Second City alum and Emmy-nominated TV/late-night writer Alison Tafel (Bojack Horseman, The Tonight Show) joins The Second City Training Center for a Q&A AND workshop opportunity!
Don't miss out - more details below!
Student Q&A with Alison Tafel (FREE): Sunday, 10/2 from 10-11AM in the Blackout Cabaret
Meet with Alison Tafel for a Q&A open forum! No experience necessary. Open to any current Training Center students.
Pilot Writing For Sketch Writers Workshop with Alison Tafel ($85): Sunday, 10/2 from 1-4PM in room 201.
Alison Tafel leads a workshop for sketch and TV writers looking to maximize those skills in crafting an original pilot for TV. Open to current Training Center students. Only 15 spots available!
Sign up via the links below - these will go FAST!
Q&A: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/secondcitytraining/activity/search/detail/36257?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
Workshop: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/secondcitytraining/activity/search/detail/36073?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
09/19/2022
BOOOOoooooOOOOOOO 👻 - YOU'RE INVITED🏮
The Training Center is hosting an (haunted) OPEN HOUSE!
Don't miss:
-Our iconic wheel of prizes
-Snacks and games
-Costume contest
-Building tours
-Information tables and registration discounts (woo!)
-Film screenings and info on The Second City Film School
- And more!
If you've ever thought about taking a class, come see what we're all about!
We will help you get registered or get you equipped with all the info you need 🙂 Costumes welcome, but not required!
It's going to be a "Spooktacular time!" 🎃👹
For ages 18+ - a community jam and open mic will follow the event at 8P and 830.
To stay reminded and for more information, sign up via our website!
https://www.secondcity.com/haunted-open-house
09/08/2022
Applications are OPEN for Comedy Studies! 🥳
The Comedy Studies program is developed and taught by the experts in comedy at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, with college credit provided by Columbia College Chicago.
It's a semester abroad, right in the heart of Chicago's world- famous theater scene. How cool?!😎
Early bird applications due by October 12th, final submissions due by November 2nd.
Learn more or apply via the link below!
http://www.comedystudies.com/about.php
08/26/2022
Victor Wong Fellowship open house and information session alert!!!
Please feel free to send a long to anyone who might qualify 🥳
Named after The Second City's first Asian American performer and funded by Peng Zhao, CEO of Citadel Securities, and his wife, Cherry Chen, the fellowship will focus on developing the next generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) talent.
16 fellows a year will be selected through auditions and granted a ten-week, tuition-free master program in improvisational comedy taught by The Second City's top professional instructors and directors.
The fellows will also have access to the theater's executive creative team and alumni, including AAPI mentors. Following the training, the fellows will present a mix of their original comedy, improvisational games, and classic scenes from The Second City archives in a showcase event on a Second City stage in Chicago!
Reminder: Fall comedy classes start August 29th!
We welcome all levels - from beginners to pros! 🙌
Try your hand or hone your craft in Improv, Writing, Stand-Up, and MORE!
🎭🖋🎙👏
Wake up and smell the comedy!
Bonus: Adult students in North America registered for a 7-week class by 8/15 at 5PM CST will be entered to win a free piece of merchandise!
Sign up via the link below! 🙂
https://www.secondcity.com/courses/chicago/improv-pro/
The Second City
The Second City The Improv Program is a complete foundation in the principles of scenic improvisation as practiced at The Second City. Based in the work of Viola Spolin, this program covers all elements of the improvisational process. Students begin with ensemble, environment, and object work and end by rehearsing....
08/01/2022
Free screening of grad films at the music box?!!
✅✅✅
07/26/2022
Choose your little miss 🥰🥰🥰
07/21/2022
Did you hear? Coached Ensembles are BACK!🥳
This program is an exciting opportunity to be cast in a four-week improv show run. Coached Ensembles auditions will take place once per term, and six ensembles will be cast each term and coached by one of our fantastic faculty members. This is a free performance opportunity for students and recent grads with no fee to audition.
Our Term 4 Auditions slots are already FILLED, but keep an eye out on our website (link below) for Term 5 auditions, coming SOON! 🙂
Find more info on the opportunity below!
https://www.secondcity.com/classes/chicago/2020-coached-ensembles/
07/19/2022
Only one chance left to catch Grad R***e graduation shows - next Monday at 7:30 PM in the E.T.C Theater!
"Its The End Of The World And We Blow It" performed by Laurel's class at 7:30
"Everybody's Got Time For That" performed by Jonald's class at 8:30
and "Its A Mad, Sad, Glad, Rad World" performed by Andrew's class at 9:30.
Link to tickets below:
https://linktr.ee/secondcitychitc
07/11/2022
A beautiful scholarship opportunity for current and prospective writing students.
The application for the Jim Larsen Sketch Writing Scholarship is now open.
About the Scholarship:
To honor the comedic passion and enthusiasm of former Second City Training Center student Jimmy Larsen, the Jim Larsen Sketch Writing Scholarship is provided by his family through the contributions made from those that he touched during his 27 years.
This scholarship will go to supporting a student interested specifically in the Second City Sketch Writing Program levels 1-6.
Link below to apply:
https://www.secondcity.com/jim-larsen-sketch-writing-scholarship/
07/11/2022
“Started as a dishwasher the same week as Jon Favreau did and we both had mullets!”
What an insightful interview of Kelly Leonard on the “Uncorking a story” podcast! So many great Second City stories.
Click here to listen:
https://uncorkingastory.com/kelly-leonard/
Yes, And...with Kelly Leonard of The Second City - Uncorking a Story Yes, And…with Kelly Leonard of The Second City by Mike Carlon | Jul 11, 2022 | Authors, Comics, Podcast, The Longs Listen Watch Kelly Leonard is the Executive Director of Insights and Applied Improvisation at The Second City. He began his Second City career in 1988, eventually becoming producer of...
06/29/2022
Look how far our training center brand travels!
Members from the in Jordan spent an amazing week with us here at the Chicago Training Center.
In partnership with and with the support of the , these members were able to hone their skills in both Writing 3 and Improv 3 intensives.
We were so excited to host these friends from across the world, and look forward to continued partnerships with them!
06/27/2022
So great to see Second City Alumni Rachel Dratch highlighted and talking about her time here with Bustle Magazine!
"Dratch believes that these characters wouldn’t have been possible without her time at Second City, putting in those 10,000 hours.
“Everyone has their own thing,” says Dratch, who’s now starring in POTUS on Broadway. “You pick up on everyone’s talents and you can’t fake it. You can just be like, ‘What's my vibe? What's my style?’ Then it all seeps in and somehow you get better.”"
Link below for the full story!
https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/rachel-dratch-snl-second-city-lorne-michaels-debbie-downer
06/24/2022
Don’t disappoint your dog!!!
Wouldn’t it be “pawesome” to take an improv class at the world famous Second City?
Term 4 classes start next week, sign up via the link below!
https://www.secondcity.com/courses/chicago/adult/
06/16/2022
Second City Chicago is proud to announce our Bob Curry Fellows for 2022. 🎉
The Bob Curry Fellowship encourages diverse voices to pursue careers in comedy at The Second City and beyond. The professional development master program allows artists from diverse multicultural backgrounds to train and study at The Second City Chicago tuition-free.
-
The program culminates with a showcase performance in The Second City e.t.c. Theater.
-
Please join us in congratulating the 2022 Bob Curry Fellows:
Zoe Agapinan
Kristen Aviles
Spencer Hodges
Adonis Holmes
Kimberly Iheme
Kendra Jamaica
Asra Khan
Juan Muñoz
Alonso Ramirez
Amita Rao
Tawny Safieddine
Brendan Tran
| Monday | 10am - 10pm |
| Tuesday | 10am - 10pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 10pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 10pm |
| Friday | 10am - 7pm |
| Saturday | 11am - 7pm |
| Sunday | 11am - 7pm |
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