Take the full IFA program in one term this summer!

Students who are interested in taking the Improv for Actors (IFA) program can take the full program in one term this summer. Improv for Actors is a condensed version of our popular Improvisation program designed specifically for students who have completed a degree program in Theatre. Completion of the IFA program also fulfills eligibility requirements to audition for the Conservatory and Music Improv programs.

The Summer Full IFA will meet twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays during Term 4 2010, running from June 28 through August 18. The Full IFA course costs $495. Students must be approved to enroll in IFA, so any interested students can send their theater resume to Audrey Flegel at aflegel@secondcity.com. To register, call the Chicago Training Center at 312-664-3959. For more information, visit our website at www.secondcity.com/tc.

Three-Day Adult Improv & Writing Intensive – Space Still Available!

Want to immerse yourself in some Second City Training, but don't have eight weeks? Intensive classes are three days of fast-paced improvisation and/or writing training for those who can't take a weeklong program or want a quick brush up on skills. Choose a schedule of all-improv, all-writing or improv-writing combination of classes. The next intensive being offered is Improv & Writing Intensive - 10 AM - 4 PM March 31st-April 2nd. Morning principles and processes of improvisation class and afternoon introduction to sketch comedy technique class. Tuition includes a Second City show. LKearn more or register.

Register now for Spring Break Intensives - ages 11-18.

Spend your Spring Break at the Second City! In this week long intensive, participating students explore the world of comedy under the direction veteran industry professionals. Classes include improv in the morning and your choice of stand-up or singprov in the afternoon. Each course has students on their feet participating in exercises that develop stage presence, creativity, communication skills, patience, self-confidence and most importantly - fun! Classes are grouped by age and run March 29th - April 2nd. Registration is currently open. Make the most of your Spring Break and don’t miss out!

The Second City has raised a total of $28,197 for funds to be directed to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief.

In the immediate wake of this tragedy, The Second City challenged its staff to raise as much money as possible and pledged to match all funds collected. The Second City is thrilled to offer their donation to Red Cross Haiti relief in the US and Canada. By matching the funds donated by audience members and Second City staff in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood, we are able to donate a grand total of $28,197.

In the last few weeks, The Second City has collected donations from audience members in Chicago and led community-wide initiatives in Toronto and Hollywood – including special performances featuring a plethora of Second City alumni. Staff members rallied to create these events and were thrilled with the generosity of their audiences. Due to Canadian government matching, the funds donated to Canadian Red Cross will also include an additional $9,599.61. Thank you to all who made this possible.

7-Day Shorts Project launches in Chicago!

After months of success in Hollywood, the 7-Day Shorts project is coming to the Chicago Training Center! Students, graduates, alumni & staff of The Second City are invited to participate every Tuesday night at 10:30pm in the brand new de Maat Theater. Each week, a set of original, two-minute comedy films are screened, a suggestion is acquired from the audience, and a group of Training Center faculty will improvise based on the suggestion. That same suggestion will inspire the following week's new set of short films. All filmmaking teams require at least one member of the extended Second City family. Final film DVDs are due each week by 6pm Monday at the Training Center office.

For the first week, 2/9, we will screen previous submissions from the Hollywood version of the 7-Day Shorts project. Tickets are $10, $1 for Training Center students & grads. The de Maat Theater is on the third floor of Piper's Alley, 1608 N. Wells. Space is limited!

The Second City Experience Video Contest

Attention Video Makers!

The Second City is having a contest. What can audiences expect when they come to The Second City? From arrival to departure and all the fun in between, we’re looking for a smart, funny, and informational video to explain it all. Submit your 90-second video by March 1st, 2010. The winner will be featured on www.secondcity.com. Send a DVD with your name, phone, and e-mail to:

New Media Video Contest
c/o The Second City
1616 N. Wells
Chicago, IL 60614

The Second City Training Center to Host Free Music Improv Jams

The Free Music Improv Jams are back. Due to popular demand, the Second City Music Program is pleased to offer this long-time favorite once again. Perfect for musical improvisers of every level, these jams provide a great opportunity for all to gain valuable "singprov" experience. A Second City Music Director leads participants through fun and challenging short-form musical improv games. Everyone is encouraged to get up and play, meet fellow improvisers and learn new games. On-lookers welcome too. No registration required.

Saturdays, 1/23 through 2/27. 4-5:30pm in the de Maat Theater, Piper's Alley, 1608 N. Wells, 3rd floor. Free.

Donate to Haiti Relief Campaign

Join us in supporting the Red Cross Haiti Relief efforts! The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation in Haiti after the devastating earthquake on Tuesday. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Chicago Mainstage Cast Member Emily Wilson: Living the Dream

In the February issue of Ladies' Home Journal, Chicago Mainstage cast member Emily Wilson is featured in their 'Living the Dream' column. Read about her journey to The Second City's Mainstage at www.lhj.com.

For more information on her new show, "Taming of the Flu," click here.

The Second City Training Center will hold auditions for The Music Improv House Ensemble (aka: Infinite Sundaes)

Friday, January 8th from 5-6pm
Saturday, January 9th from 4-6:30pm

The Music Improv House Ensemble performs every Sunday at 8pm in Donny's Skybox. With over 150 performances under its belt, MIHE is a showcase for some of the best singprov talent in the city and the only ensemble dedicated to shortform musical improvisation. Performances are paid (but don't quit your dayjob).

To audition, you must be currently enrolled in or an alumni of the Second City Music Program or Improv Conservatory. Those with significant improv training or professional experience may request permission from the Training Center Music Director to audition.

Call the Second City Training Center for an audition appointment. 312-664-3959

PUMA and The Second City announce the LOL scholarship program

During the 50th Anniversary Festival, as part of it's long-term commitment to emerging talent and the brand's partnership with The Second City, PUMA announced the PUMA & The Second City "LOL" Scholarship Program, offering ten scholarships to the organization's training center in Chicago and Los Angeles as part of The Second City Outreach & Diversity Program in an effort in increase diversity among the improv community. Check out this great video with clips from our 50th Anniversary and more information about the scholarships. Thanks to Puma for your help in this great cause!

January Adult Immersion Programs now enrolling!

Join us in Chicago from January 4th-8th for an intensive, week-long program in Improvisation and Comedic Writing. Students of all experience/skill levels are welcome! Learn the art of improv and sketch writing, take advantage of the city’s rich theatre scene, and brag to your friends about braving a Chicago winter! Visit the Immersion page for more details and registration information.

Register now for Youth Program December Break Intensives!

Spend part of your winter break at The Second City where you can work out your creative juices in our intensives. Learn new skills, meet new friends and enjoy hanging out in the training center during the holiday season. Students are grouped by age and intensives are held at The Second City Training Center, 1608 N. Wells St., 4th floor. Class size is limited so don’t miss out!

Each winter intensive is a three day session, with classes held Monday through Wednesday. You can register for Dec. 21-23 and/or Dec. 28-30. All participating students will be invited to perform at our January meet & greet on the afternoon of 1/3/10. Click here for more details.

Advanced Sketch Auditions

This (relatively) new writing class is happening for the third time ever, and it needs you!
Advanced Sketch is a class for experienced writers that includes working with actors from the beginning of the writing process. A small group of writers (approximately eight) work in collaboration with their cast to create scenes that are unique to that ensemble. What’s different this time is the writers are also the performers.

Joe Janes will lead the next round of Advanced Sketch, open to graduates of the Training Center Comedy Writing Program (through Level 6.)

Called "Having All The Fun," Joe will guide writers through a process of creating a show and then the thrill of performing their own material. In this class, students learn how to best write for themselves and their ensemble. They will also learn when to focus on being a writer and when to focus on being a performer.

There is an audition on Saturday, December 5th from 10am-1pm. Qualified students who sign up to audition need to bring hardcopies of a 3-5 page sketch writing sample and an actor/improv resume to the Training Center. Headshot preferred but not required. The show will be presented in the second half of Term 2, 2010. Stop by the Training Center office or call us at 312-664-3959 to set up an audition appointment.

Joe Janes has over twenty years experience as a writer-performer, from being a stand-up comedian, being a founding member of the WNEP Theater Foundation, generating material for Second City's TourCo, writing and recording material for Jellyvision's "You Don't Know Jack", writing and performing corporate videos and shows for Fig Media and from being the artistic director of Robot vs Dinosaur, formerly known as Teatro Bastardo.