The Second City Training Center Faculty Member of the Week: Sean Cusick!

Congratulations to Sean Cusick, the Second City Training Center Faculty Member of the Week! Sean teaches improv and sketch with The Second City and has directed The Second City National Touring Company. He's created, performed and directed numerous sketch and improv shows in Chicago, including the critically acclaimed, "Best Church of God," and "Urlakis and Cusick." As a teacher, he has taught at The Second City, the Annoyance Theater, and at Chicago Public Schools as part of the After School Matters program. He's originally from Upstate NY, and graduated from Tufts University. Training Center staff member Andrew Thorp was able to ask Sean a few questions about his new and honorable status.

Congrats on being in the Teacher Spotlight! What do you plan on doing to celebrate this honor?

Thanks! I plan on refreshing my browser every 20 minutes until you post this, and then seeing where it shows up when I Google myself!

What programs do you teach in?

Improv, sketch writing, and occasionally in the Teen/Youth Program.

What's the coolest thing about teaching?

Getting paid to share a passion. I'm lucky enough to spend my work day laughing, and that's something pretty rare.

What's the hardest thing about teaching?

Balancing a class so that each student gets what he or she needs. Every class brings a range of experience, of enthusiasm and of motivation. The differences among the students, and the needs of the class as a whole, are always in the back of my mind.

What is the most important thing a student should know when preparing to take on a class or program?

You get out of it what you put in. If you're here to do something fun - Great! You'll have a lot of fun. If you're here to learn how to do comedy, be prepared to put in the effort.

How do I become famous?

A bolt of lightning. This is the arts - like music, writing, dance or whatever. That means that if you work hard, stay focused and have a flicker of talent, you can make a fine living doing what you love among fantastic people. But if you want to get rich or famous? The best you can do is be ready... Know how to do the work, so IF a bolt of lightning strikes, you can take your chance.