Second City Toronto Has Most Definitely "Got This"

Toronto's 70th Revue Opens to Critical Acclaim

The Second City opened its 70th Revue, We've Totally (Probably) Got This!, on its Toronto stage this week, and has received glowing reviews from critics. In his four star review, Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian raved that "sketch and sketch hits the bull's-eye" and praised director Melody A. Johnson as well as the "sextet of performers who know no fear."

The new revue is written and performed by cast members Ashley Comeau, Jason DeRosse, Nigel Downer, Alastair Forbes, Carly Heffernan and Stacey McGunnigle, with Musical Director & Original Composition by Matthew Reid, and Lighting Design & Stage Management by Christina Cicko.

Read the full review in The Toronto Star

Click here for show times and tickets information

Read More

Second City's Comedy Studies Program Featured on Splitsider

Did you know we had a program through Columbia College where you could earn college credit for studying Comedy? We do! Check out this feature on SplitSider.com.

Read More

Student Spotlight Podcast with Kate Cohen and Matthew Van Colton!

Faculty members Kate Cohen and Matthew Van Colton talk with Nancy Fast about their new musical opening in Manhattan and their upcoming Chicago preview! Listen in to find out how the group enjoyed performing in the Training Center’s House Company ‘Infinite Sundaes’ and how far their friendships go back (it will warm your heart). For more information on this podcast, classes, workshops and more, call 312.664.3959 or visit secondcity.com/tc.

More Info on Kate Cohen (Instructor in Improv and Teen/Youth Programs, HouseCo Alum):
Kate Cohen has been improvising in Chicago since 2004 and performs regularly with ComedySportz Chicago, Laugh Out Loud Theater and as one-half of the musical improv duo Kate & Mike: The Musical. Other credits include Chicago Sketchfest, Infinite Sundaes, and ImprovArcadia in Bar Harbor, Maine. Kate performed for The Second City at sea aboard the Norwegian Jewel and Gem and toured Chicago schools with SCTC's Educational Touring Company. Kate is also an instructor for ComedySportz Chicago and has taught improv workshops aboard NCL and for the Chicago Jewish Community Centers. Kate has a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Arizona and is a graduate of The Second City Training Center's IFA, Conservatory and Musical Improv Conservatory programs.

More Info on Matthew Van Colton (Instructor in Music Program, HouseCo Alum):
Matthew Van Colton is a Chicago-based director, teacher and performer. Beyond Second City, he has worked with Chicago Dramatists, Northlight, Annoyance, Playground, Victory Gardens, iO and TUTA theatres among many others. In addition to the Music Conservatory, he has most recently taught or coached for Evanston Township High School, Acting Studio Chicago, Happy Karaoke Fun Time and Clown Car to Sicily. Most recently, he directed for Citizen’s Relief Theatre Company and for Vampeero Productions. He is a member of Infinite Sundaes, and Mansical (www.mansical.net), of which he is one of the founders. He is a member of Actor’s Equity.

More Info on ‘One Night Only’:
Chicago-style Improv is hitting Manhattan September 11-15 with the musical One-Night Only as part of the 2012 Araca Project. Faculty members Kate Cohen, Michael Girts and Matthew Van Colton will be joined by student alumi Katie Dufresne, Nicole Hastings, and Kevin Sciretta in the cast.

How This Happened:
In April of 2012, a group of Chicago improvisers flew to New York and pitched an idea for a new musical to The Araca Group (Wicked, Urinetown). The cast made up a musical right there on the spot for Broadway producers in the middle of their conference room. A week later, One Night Only was selected to appear Off-Broadway as part of the 2012 Araca Project.

How You Can Help:
By making a tax-deductible contribution to Men One Night Only, you can help the cast and artistic team travel to New York City and make this Off-Broadway production a reality. Please visit Indiegogo.com/onenightonlynyc and donate today.

Who The Araca Project Is:
The Araca Project is an initiative of The Araca Group, a Broadway production company responsible for Wicked, Urinetown, Rock of Ages and many other hit musicals. Mike Girts, our producer, submitted an improvised musical for consideration back in April and a group of us flew to NYC to pitch the show to the Araca producers, improvising a 20-minute musical in their conference room. About a week later, we were selected to participate in the project.

The Second City Training Center is currently enrolling students in Improv, Acting, Comedy Writing, Stand-up, Clowning, Tv/Film Writing and more for Term 5. Call 312.664.959 for more details!

Read More

This Weekend: Crush in Old Town

Join us this weekend for music, food and amazing artwork and custom designs at Crush in Old Town. This annual end-of-summer festival in Old Town stretches from North Avenue to Schiller Street on Saturday & Sunday, September 1st & 2nd from noon to 10:00pm. Click here for more information.

Read More

Tawny Newsome Visits You & MeThis Morning

Last week, Tawny Newsome from We're All in This Room Together sat down with the lovely Jeanne Sparrow to talk about her journey to The Second City e.t.c. on WCIU's You and Me This Morning.

Tawny Newsome can be seen every Thursday - Sunday in The Second City e.t.c.'s We're All in This Room Together. Click here to reserve tickets.

Read More

Congratulations to This Year's Jeff Award Nominees!

Congratulations to Michael Kosinski (Actor - Revue), Edgar Blackmon (Actor - Revue), Ryan Bernier (Director - Revue) and the cast and crew of The Second City e.t.c.'s "We're All in This Room Together" (Production - Revue) on their 2012 Jeff Nominations! See the full list of nominees here.

Read More

Training Center Alumni and Faculty Performing Off-Broadway Improvised Musical in New York

Chicago-style Improv is hitting Manhattan September 11-15 with the musical One-Night Only as part of the 2012 Araca Project. Faculty members Kate Cohen, Michael Girts and Matthew Van Colton will be joined by student alumi Katie Dufresne, Nicole Hastings, and Kevin Sciretta in the cast.

How This Happened:
In April of 2012, a group of Chicago improvisers flew to New York and pitched an idea for a new musical to The Araca Group (Wicked, Urinetown). The cast made up a musical right there on the spot for Broadway producers in the middle of their conference room. A week later, One Night Only was selected to appear Off-Broadway as part of the 2012 Araca Project.

How You Can Help:
By making a tax-deductible contribution to MenOne Night Only, you can help the cast and artistic team travel to New York City and make this Off-Broadway production a reality. Please visit Indiegogo.com/onenightonlynyc and donate today.

Who The Araca Project Is:
The Araca Project is an initiative of The Araca Group, a Broadway production company responsible for Wicked, Urinetown, Rock of Ages and many other hit musicals. Mike Girts, our producer, submitted an improvised musical for consideration back in April and a group of us flew to NYC to pitch the show to the Araca producers, improvising a 20-minute musical in their conference room. About a week later, we were selected to participate in the project.

The Second City Training Center is currently enrolling students in Improv, Acting, Comedy Writing, Stand-up, Clowning, Tv/Film Writing and more for Term 5. Call 312.664.959 for more details!

Read More

Chicago Tribune Talks Improv With Student, Doctor Praveen Dandumudi

Dr. Praveen Dandamudi discusses the benefits improvisational training has had on his life and profession as a Kidney Specialist at Chicago's Resurrection Health Care. As a past "Student in the Spotlight," Dr. Dandamudi is no stranger to The Second City Training Center. Read his Spotlight Q&A.

Check out the Chicago Tribune's complete article.

The Second City Training Center is now open for registration in Improv, Comedy Writing, Acting, Stand-up and more! For more information visit our Training Center page.

Read More

Second City Returns to Arlington Heights

Grab your BFF and hop on the Metra - we're headed back to the beautiful Metropolis Theater this summer with The Second City's Girls' Night Out directed by Ryan Bernier (recently directed the new hit show We're All in This Room Together at The Second City e.t.c. Theatre). Performances begin on August 2 through September 8 - click here to reserve your tickets.

Read More

Second City's Walking Tour Featured on ABC News with Janet Davies

The Second City's Walking Tour was featured on last night's ABC news broadcast featuring Janet Davies. Visit ABC to check it out.

Read More

The Second City Training Center To Offer A One-Day Workshop for Sufferers of Anxiety On August 14th

The "Improv for Anxiety One-Day Workshop" will provide an interactive opportunity for people with anxiety to use improvisation as part of their recovery. All levels of experience are invited. A Second City instructor will facilitate the class. Mark Pfeffer, Director at PARC will be there to welcome you. The class runs on August 14th from 4-7pm

Click here for more information on Improvisation for Anxiety

About Mark Pfeffer, Director of the Panic/Anxiety Recovery Center
Mark Pfeffer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Illinois and California. He is Director of the Panic/Anxiety Recovery Center in Chicago. PARC is a specialized outpatient program that provides comprehensive treatment for anxiety and related disorders. Mark received his Masters degree in Psychology from Boston University with additional post-graduate work at UCLA. He also served as the Commissioner of Social Services for the City of Santa Monica and is an active clinical member of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) and International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).

Mark has appeared on multiple episodes of the A&E's Emmy® nominated show, Hoarders, the Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic Channel. He has been featured and quoted regarding mental health issues in various media outlets including: ABC7 Chicago; CBS2 Chicago; NBC; CLTV Chicago; Chicago Tribune; Pioneer Press, WGCI-FM and Home & Garden magazine. He has also authored numerous publications, and was a recipient of the 2002 "Golden Bell" award from the Mental Health Association of Illinois for an article he co-authored on Panic Disorder.

Read More