Congratulations to Mike O’Brien on his move to feature cast and Cecily Strong for joining the Weekend Update desk on Saturday Night Live, NBC's Emmy Award-winning late-night comedy showcase, for their 39th Season."We are always thrilled with the success of our alumni and we wish them all the best this season on SNL," stated Andrew Alexander, CEO & Executive Producer of The Second City, Inc.Mike O’Brien graduated from The Second City Training Center Conservatory Program. He worked with The Second City Touring Company as a performer and...
Monday, 16 September 2013
Friday, 13 September 2013
Thursday, 12 September 2013
SC Alum, Mike Myers, will be releasing "Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon,"his directorial debut film tomorrow. Read his interview with Deadline to learn more about the film and how he has brought to life all of these characters we have come to know and love.Congratulations and best of luck Mi...
SC Alum, Kay Cannon has teamed up with Jason Winer (Modern Family) to produce a new pilot for CBS, titled "The Runt.""The Runt is a single camera comedy about a group of five adult siblings from the point of view of The Runt. Always the scrawniest and the butt of the joke, she’s now the most successful. And no matter how hard she tries, she can’t seem to break the family dynamics established when she was a kid."Sounds like a great premise, we can't wait to see what's in store for these two, congratulations!Read more he...
In response to recent world events, The Second City Network has joined forces to start a campaign to help President Obama kickstart WWIII. This "Kickstart WWII" video has become such a sensation that it reached over 1MM views within the first 72 hours of being live. It has also attracted the attention of Sean Hannity, from Fox News, as it aired on "Hannity" Wednesday evening, September 11th. The Daily Beast has also published a write up on the campaign to help promote our cause.What an overwhelming response! Looks like we may just be able to help...
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Second City Communications On Using Humor To Make Online Training Stick! Lessons in Social Learning Effectiveness at Training Magazine’s Online Learning Conference Chicago, September 11, 2013 – Second City Communications (SCC) takes the stage at the annual Online Learning Conference 2013 to showcase how comedy and improvisation can drive stronger results in social learning programs.The business solutions division of the world-renowned improvisation comedy theater, The Second City, is a featured presenter at the annual conference by Training magazine...
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Congratulations to The Second City casts and crews of "Let Them Eat Chaos," "A Clown Car Named Desire" and "The Second City Guide to The Opera" on 7 Jeff Nominations! We're so excited and so proud!The 45th Annual Jeff Equity Awards ceremony honoring excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area will be Monday, November 4 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terra...
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
Thank you all for your inquiries regarding Bernie Sahlins' memorial. Please see below for more information and if you are able to attend, please RSVP at the link below.September 30, 20136:30pmChicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier800 E. Grand Ave. | Chicago, IL 60611Click here to RSVP or call the CST Media Office at 312.667.4968 by Wednesday, September 25, 20...
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
ABC just purchased a "single-camera comedy" from The McCarthy's creator and Second City alum Brian Gallivan and co-executive producer Will Gluck.The untitled project reunites the auspices behind CBS pilot The McCarthys: writer/executive producer Gallivan, Sony TV and executive producer Will Gluck and his Sony-based Olive Bridge Prods. The new project centers on an overworked father dreaming of being “on vacation all year” who decides to uproot his family from the city and move them to New Hampshire where they open a group of tourist cottages. And...
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Kevin Allison, founder of The Story Studio, RISK! podcast, and ensemble member of MTV's The State, will visit the Chicago Training Center to show students how to wow a crowd with their story. Students will learn how to select compelling story topics, use the “five beat” structure to build suspense, and tap into the larger thematic meaning of their ideas.This one-day workshop will be held on Thursday, September 26 from 10am-5pm. Registration is open to everyone. For more information, visit the class information page.Kevin Allison has been a regular...
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
When she isn’t acting in high-profile commercials, Tunisha Hubbard can be found welcoming new students to the Training Center, working the box office for student shows and improvising with friends. Tunisha’s kindness and ability to think quick on her feet make her a valuable volunteer and fun scene partner. You can check out her Ford Focus commercial here: The Second City Training Center is now registering students for classes in Improv, Acting,...
Comedian, Ever Mainard, is slated to lead a two-hour workshop called "Get Riffed! Riffing for Stand-Ups and Storytellers." Techniques in this course will give performers the confidence to take a topic and run with it. Participants will use improvisation to find new angles, expand old jokes and connect with the audience.This workshop will be offered on Saturday, September 14 at 4pm. Registration is open to all students, but previous improv or stand-up experience is recommended. For more information, visit the class information page.Ever Mainard...
Friday, 16 August 2013
Thursday, 15 August 2013
If you're planning on coming to a show this weekend or take a class, remember that the Chicago Air & Water Show is scheduled this weekend (August 17 & 18) from 10:00am - 3:00pm at North Ave. Beach. Give yourself a little extra time to get to the theater and since parking will be limited in the area, click here to find the best public transportation options or take a cab.Still need to book your tickets for this weekend? Click here for a complete list of performanc...
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
Chicago Second City Theatricals team has sent out a dynamite cast to takeover the La Jolla Playhouse from August 6 - September 1 with an original, sidesplitting tribute to San Diego, about San Diego - "The Good, The Bad and The I-5." It has been getting rave reviews from a number of publications and we just wanted to send our congratulations to everyone out on the west coast!"THE SECOND CITY COMES THROUGH WITH AN AVALANCHE OF LAUGHS."– Gary Zeidner, Boulder Weekly"THEY ARE THE GOLD-STANDARD FOR SATIRICAL REVUES."– Ted Pappas, Artistic Director...
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Second City Toronto alum, Colin Mochrie, just released a new book titled, "Not Quite the Classics." Colin Mochrie, a man known worldwide for working without a script, has penned a collection of stories destined to make its own mark in the literary community. Borrowing from a well-known improv game, Mochrie takes the first and last lines from familiar classics and reimagines everything in between. With the same engaging humour he exhibits on stage, television, and film, he takes the reader in bizarre and hilarious new directions, using the...
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Congratulations to this year’s Emmy Award Nominees including a host of Second City resident and touring company alumni including Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Tina Fey, Joe Kelly, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Jane Lynch, Mike O’Brien, Amy Poehler, Tom Purcell, and Jeff Richmond. The 65th Annual Emmy’s will be broadcast live on Sunday, Sept. 22 on CBS. Click here for a complete list of nomine...
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Woolly Mammoth announced that its fifth collaboration with Chicago’s Second City, America All Better!, is a box office hit, earning it a two week extension.The all new revue now runs through August 18, 2013. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online by phone – 202-393-3939 – via email at tickets@woollymammoth.net, and in person at the Box Office, located at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street NW, Washington, ...
Thursday, 11 July 2013
In just 16 months, over 100 Second City students have participated in more than 200 events to help Chicago non-profit organizations and partners. Quick StatsOver 45 dogs walked and socialized with Safe Humane Chicago.Over 100 4-12 year-olds taught improv games at Chicago Cares, House of Good Shepherd, Lurie’s Childrens’ Hospital and more.Over 200 pounds of organic vegetables harvested with Ginkgo Gardens.Over 10 cat costume appearances at Treehouse...
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Curb Your Enthusisam's Jeff Garlin will be in Chicago this weekend for the opening of his new film "Dealin' With Idiots" at The Music Box Theatre. Showings will be at 7:20pm both Friday and Saturday evenings. Garlin directed, co-wrote, and stars in the film along with Gina Gershon, Jami Gertz, Christopher Guest, Bob Odenkirk, Nia Vardalos and Fred Willard. Watch the film trailer here.&nb...
Monday, 8 July 2013
Following sell-out runs of "Barack Stars: The Wrath of Rahm," "A Girl's Guide to Washington Politics" and "Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies," we're thrilled to return to Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, DC, with "America All Better!" Performances begin this week on and continue through. Click here for more informati...
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
It's with great sadness that we heard today of the passing of Second City alum PJ Torokvei. In addition to being an incredibly talented screenwriter, actor and producer, she was a dear friend and a wonderful part of The Second City community and family. Our thoughts are with her family.Click here for more information about PJ Torokvei's career and here for the Hollywood Reporter's article about this lo...
Monday, 1 July 2013
This Thursday, acclaimed musician, Jon Langford, is joining the Mainstage cast during their improv set at the end of the show. With Jon's musical prowess and the array of talent the Mainstage cast has to offer, this is guaranteed to be an incredible performance. "Jon Langford has grit in his voice and melody in his soul. A punk-rock pioneer, a leading light of alt-country, a troubadour for our times, a musicians' mentor, a visual artist of uncommon skill, a singer-songwriter who writes with the authority of having lived a life rather just having...
Friday, 28 June 2013
The Second City e.t.c.'s new revue, "A Clown Car Named Desire," opened to rave reviews and also received a Jeff Recommendation. Tickets are on sale now for "A Clown Car Named Desire." Click here to book your tickets.Check out the great reviews:A Clown Car Named Desire “4 out 4 Stars…a hot young cast… funny, high-stakes show.”Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 4-star review“magic…bring a pair of oversized floppy shoes and enjoy.”Jason Heidemann, Chicago Magazine“…it’s more than funny. It’s hilarious. Consistently, uproariously hilarious.”Zach Freeman,...
Monday, 17 June 2013
Bernard Sahlins died peacefully at his home after a short illness. In 1959, Sahlins founded The Second City with Howard Alk and Paul Sills and served as the theatre’s longtime producer and director until 1984. He produced multiple television productions in the UK and the USA, as well as SCTV in Canada. For the past eight years, he worked with the Poetry Foundation directing staged readings – the most recent of which was Comic Poetry. Honors include the Sergel Prize for playwright, several Jeff Awards for directing and the Alumni Achievement...
Thursday, 13 June 2013
A Strange Brand of Happy will be released in 42 cities across the country on September 13th. Joe Boyd is not only starring as the lead, but is also producing this feature film. A Strange Brand of Happy also features Holly Walker and Academy Award winner Shirley Jones. Jones has been in 77 films and has never been allowed to improvise until this one! Check out the video interview below as well as the movie trail...
Monday, 10 June 2013
Last night, Second City alumnus Andrea Martin won a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role Musical for Pippin The Musical currently running at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway. Congratulations to her and all of our friends from Chicago that took home awards last night! Click here for a complete list of winne...
Friday, 7 June 2013
The Second City e.t.c. is proud to announce the opening of their 37th Revue, "A Clown Car Named Desire." Reviewing press are invited to attend the show on Friday, June 21, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. at The Second City e.t.c. Theatre (1608 N. Wells Street, 2nd floor of Piper’s Alley). A Grand Opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 23, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. Join the limber and handsome cast of "A Clown Car Named Desire" for a spectacular night of illusion featuring brave, multitasking mothers expressing themselves; hyper hipsters competing for the ultimate...
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
As you plan your trip to The Second City this weekend, please note that on Saturday and Sunday, our neighborhood hosts the Old Town Art Fair and Wells St. Festival. If you're planning to see a show, please take some time to enjoy the art fair or street festival. During this time, Wells Street will be closed off to traffic from North Avenue south to Division for the Wells Street Art Festival. The Old Town Art Fair will also be taking place north of us on the streets immediately west of Lincoln and Wells which will decrese parking availability. If...
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Rachel LaForce performed her entire life, but she was always landing what she called the, "Kathy Bates Characters," doing comic relief. So when she discovered Second City, she knew were she had to be.How did you first get involved in The Second City?Everyone has a similar story - saw my first Second City show and had that Wayne's World moment - you know when Wayne goes and looks at the guitar he wants and repeats, "Oh yes, you will be mine." I moved...
Monday, 3 June 2013
Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City opened the summer run of The Second City Guide to the Opera at the Civic Opera House this weekend and received a "Jeff Recommendation." "Jeff Recommended" indicates at least one element of a production was deemed excellent by opening night judges. The entire production is then eligible for nomination at the end of the season. See http://www.jeffawards.org/ for full list. For more information, to see the trailer for The Second City Guide to the Opera, or to purchase tickets, please visit Lyric Opera....
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Two of America's top comedy creators, The Second City and Funny Or Die, have collaborated on an exclusive new video course. The pilot program will launch at The Second City Training Center's Hollywood campus (6560 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028) beginning July 2, 2013. Similar programs will be launched at The Second City Training Centers in Chicago and Toronto in the Fall of 2013.The first course offering focuses on DIY or guerilla-style filmmaking with an emphasis on creating short form comedic video content. The course curriculum includes...
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
The Second City Guide to the Opera opens this weekend! Tickets are on sale now for this smart and hilarious collaboration between The Second City and Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Second City Guide to the Opera "had the crowd whooping with laughter...a smart script and the manic exuberance of the cast roasted the sacred cows of opera with a light yet loving touch." Chicago Tribune The show will run from May 31 through June 30. Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss your chance to sit on the legendary Civic Opera House stage and see The Second City...
Thursday, 23 May 2013
The Second City’s Neighborhood Tour returns for the summer starting this week! Written by Margaret Hicks, an experienced Chicago tour guide and author of Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious History, The Second City’s Neighborhood Tour both entertains and informs while highlighting the architecture, history and development of Old Town as well as various Second City alumni haunts and the stories that go with them. Tours can have up to fifteen guests and advanced reservations are recommended. The tours are every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 4:00pm...
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
The Second City is pleased to host a free event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Playwrights Theatre Club on Sunday, June 23, 2013 in UP Comedy Club (230 W. North Ave, 2nd Floor of Piper's Alley) at 3:00 p.m. This special event will reunite the original members of The Playwrights Theatre Club, which was the precursor to The Compass and The Second City.During this special reunion event, Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones will moderate a panel of Playwrights Theatre Club original members including: Ed Asner, Helen Axelrood, Rolf Forsberg, George...
Monday, 20 May 2013
Second City alumni Peter Grosz has been cast to star in the world premiere of Daniel Pearle's new play, "A Kid Like Jake," at the Claire Tow Theater as part of Lincoln Center Theater's LCT3 initiative devoted to emerging artists. Performances begin June 2 with the official opening set for June 17. Click here for more informati...
Friday, 17 May 2013
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Congratulations to Second City alumni Andrea Martin on her Outer Critics Circle Award win for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical in "Pippin'." Awards winners will be recognized at the 63rd Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards on May 23 at Sardi's Restaurant in New York. Click here for a complete list of winne...
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Haven't found the perfect Mother's Day gift yet? We're pretty sure she'd appreciate a good laugh. Treat her to something she'll enjoy - spending time with her wonderful child (that's you) and laughing harder than she has for years. Tickets are selling fast but still available for performances this Sunday. Click here to make her proud and plan ahe...
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
When Brianna Baker first moved to Chicago, she had three different bosses recommend The Second City to her within a week. "The first time someone said it, I just smiled and nodded. The second time, I asked what The Second City was and pretended that I had known the entire time. By the third, I went to The Second City's website and signed up for a class," she said. Since then, she has done a handful of student and Outreach & Diversity shows, sailed on the NCL Pearl and now performs at UP Comedy Club in "What The Tour Guide Didn't Tell You."...
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Friday, 26 April 2013
The Second City has been giving walking tours of Chicago's historic Old Town neighborhood for five years. When Margaret Hicks returned to Chicago from New York in 2001, she told herself "I will never take Chicago for granted again." She started as a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation and now uses her improv skills to give tours with her company Chicago Elevated. We talked to Margaret about comedy in Chicago, her tour and her connection with The Second City. Tell us about the process of writing your book Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious...
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
The Second City is proud to announce the return of "The Second City's Neighborhood Tour." This humorous and historic walking tour of Chicago's beautiful Old Town neighborhood will begin on Sunday, May 26th, 2013 at 10:30am and will continue every Sunday and Wednesday through Wednesday, October 30th, 2013.Written by Margaret Hicks, an experienced Chicago tour guide and author of Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious History, "The Second City's Neighborhood Tour" both entertains and informs while highlighting the architecture, history and development...
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Andrew Thorp interviews Meg on her last day of a 2+ year internship before she goes off to get her Masters. Listen in for some of Meg's weirdest and most fun moments while interning and taking classes at The Second City Training Center. Stay tuned to see her 2-person show with fellow intern Katie Hughes!Listen to the Podca...
Congratulations to this year's Outer Critics Circle Nominations! Nominees include Second City alumni Andrea Martin for Featured Actress in a Musical in "Pippin" and Richard Kind for Featured Actor in a Play in "The Big Knife." Also, "Grace," directed by alum Dexter Bullard, has been nominated for Best Play. The winners will be announced May 13, and the annual awards ceremony will be held on May 23. Click here for more informati...
Friday, 19 April 2013
Rachael Mason started improvising the second she could talk. She's been doing it for so long that it almost seems natural to her. She recently started as the The Second City Training Center's Head of Advanced Improvisation and loves teaching longer, more grounded improv. We talked with Rachael about Improv All-Stars, teaching and the training center.When did you first start improvising? Officially, In college in 1993. I was part of the Skidmore...
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Sarah Shook has been all over The Second City this past year, performing as an understudy in Touring Company and holiday shows, and at UP Comedy Club in Improv Extravaganza Explosion and Four Girls (And A Guy). She's now a full-fledged member of the Touring Company, and is slated for a summer show at UP. We talked with Sarah about understudying, her love for pies and her biggest female influences. What have you worked on with Second City, and what’s...
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
The Second City Training Center will offer three levels of Viewpoints during upcoming Summer Immersion sessions. Used in rehearsal processes at Steppenwolf and The Gift Theatre, The Viewpoints are a physical approach towards listening and responsiveness in the moment and a method for creating original works of theatre. Each session is taught by Michael Patrick Thornton (TV's Private Practice) and Norm Holly (Conservatory Program Head), available from 10am-5pm; $550 each session.• Viewpoints 1--This class is an introduction to the Viewpoints, a...
The Second City and The Onion, two of America's finest comedic institutions, have partnered to present a completely new writing program at The Second City Training Center's Chicago campus (1608 N. Wells, 4th Floor of Piper's Alley).The first course offering, "Basic Writing with The Onion," a one-of-a-kind writing course taught by founding editor of The Onion, Scott Dikkers, which outlines The Onion's unique system of generating comedy ideas and stories, sold out in 30 minutes."The assets required of writers at The Second City and The Onion are...
Monday, 8 April 2013
The new show at The Second City's Mainstage Theater, "Let Them Eat Chaos" opened to rave reviews from the critics and earned a prestigious Jeff Recommendation.Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune gives "Let Them Eat Chaos" three stars (out of four) and says, "...very funny...This cast is excellent." Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun Times Recommends this production and states, "stylistic experimentation...infused with music and projections and literary conceits."The designation of "Jeff Recommended" is given to a production when, after the opening...
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Celebrating their 15th anniversary, this year's Festival is their largest yet with more than 150 teams in over 90 shows on 20 different stages. The Second City is excited to host 3 great shows from the Chicago Improv Festival starting this week.Tuesday, April 2, 8pmHeadliners: Lucas Neff & Craig CackowskiOpening Act - Virgin DaiquiriSecond City e.t.c stageTickets: $20GET TICKETSWednesday, April 3, 8pmHeadliners: Scott Adsit & Jet EvelethOpening Act - Cook County Social ClubSecond City e.t.c. stageTickets: $20GET TICKETSSunday, April 7,...
One of the perks of being on The Second City Touring Company is travelling all over the country. Chelsea Devantez hates travelling. She says she gets severe panic attacks on flights. But somehow she makes it work. Because she loves being on the road with Second City. She tours for the satisfaction of those two hours spent on stage. And of course, her castmates. "Every single person on my company is just the best. They are all such good people, who...
Monday, 1 April 2013
"Why is this study so important?" this is a question we are asked often at the Training Centre. Whether or not you come to us because you want to be an actor or because you just want to improve your social skills, the importance of improv comes from the philosophy of "Yes and". Everyone fits in here and offers of all kinds are meant to be accepted. It is a happy place where everyone can agree and learn to accept each others offers. As former Second City Chicago Artistic Director Martin De Maat says "Greet everything with 'yes,and...'" "Make statements...
The Second City Training Center is Calling Stand-up Comics for April 19th Showcase in Donny's Skybox
Attention all stand-up comics who have ever taken a class (ANY class in ANY program) at The Second City Training Center:The Second City Training Center is accepting applications to perform at The SCTC Rapid-Fire Stand-Up Showcase.This one-time event will take place on Friday, April 19th, 2013, at 11pm in the Skybox Theatre. It'll be a short show -- no more than 50 minutes. Tickets will be free.We are seeking applicants who would like to perform a short set at the show. Set length will likely be 2.5 minutes. (We will also have two headliners --...
Monday, 25 March 2013
Join us in the John Candy Box Theatre on Wednesday April 3rd at 9pm for a FREE Q&A session with JENNIFER WHALEN and get a preview of what Bruce Pirrie's WRITING IV class is working on! To reserve your spot email: areoch@secondcity.com Spaces are limited, so it's first come first served!!! Jennifer Whalen is a Toronto based writer and Second City Alumni. She wrote for five seasons on “This Hour Has 22 Minutes,” two of them as Head Writer. In addition she's worked on “The Ron James Show,” ”The Jon Dore Show” and the critically acclaimed “Gavin...
Thursday, 21 March 2013
The Second City is proud to announce the opening of The Second City's 101st Revue, Let Them Eat Chaos. Reviewing press are invited to attend the show on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. at The Second City Mainstage Theatre (1616 N. Wells Street). A Grand Opening is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at 8:00 p.m.For better or worse, we're someone to everyone. Sometimes the title is friend and sometimes the title is enemy - unfortunately,...
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