Hollywood Training Center

FREE OPEN HOUSE!


Click the picture to see a quick video on how Second City changed the lives of a few now-famous comedians!

Because life doesn’t come with a script!

Los Angeles is the world capital of the Entertainment Industry and The Second City is in the heart of it on Hollywood Boulevard. For over fifty years The Second City has created a wealth of comedic material from a legendary group of performers. The Training Center follows the traditions developed by these groundbreaking and innovative men and women while encouraging the continued growth and development of the art forms of comedy and improvisation. Today, The Second City Training Center is the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world.

We offer a variety of classes in the performance arts for students at any level of experience. Whether a seasoned performer or someone who's never been onstage, you are encouraged to take classes with us. Our students come from a diverse array of backgrounds, each with a unique accomplishment they wish to achieve with our courses. Whatever your reasons for taking classes with us, we are here to support you and help you grow your skills. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions or concerns you might have.

Download a printable version of the Training Center Course Catalog (PDF)

Have you been thinking about taking classes at The Second City Hollywood? Do you have a theatre degree or some professional improv training under your belt? If so, you are eligible to audition for our Conservatory level of classes (advanced study). But you missed our most recent round of auditions, right??? Well, guess what! You’re in luck! Our next round of Conservatory Auditions has been announced and we are currently accepting sign-ups. The auditions will take place in the evening on Tuesday May 29th. Please call the office at 323.464.8542 today to reserve your spot!

IMPROV DROP-IN

Thursdays 4-6pm & Sundays 12-2pm, $20 at the door.
The Improv Drop-in is a noncommittal, two hour class that will keep you on your toes and inject fun into your day. Drop-ins are designed for all levels so if you want to get extra class time, play with new people or work with amazing coaches then drop on by! Any current student or grad of The Second City is eligible to take this class. For any persons with equivalent training from other programs, please call our office to determine if this class is appropriate for you. We cap the class at 16, so arrive early to get a spot. 

THE TASTE OF SECOND CITY

If you are wondering if you'd like to take an improv class, try The Taste of Second City! These 2-hour intro workshops will give you a little taste of what our improv programs are all about. It will help you to understand why improvisation is a great way to explore your creativity, hone presentation skills, become more comfortable speaking in front of others, think on your feet, and expand team building skills; all while having fun. We cap the class at 16 so please call the office at 323-464-8542 to reserve your spot. Class times per date vary. $25 for each class.

Feb 18, March 24, April 14, May 26, June 16, July 21, Aug 18, Sept 22, Nov 17

Improv 1 Weekend Intensive

Three days of intensive improvisation for those who can't make the weeklong programs or want a quick brush up on skills. This is the same curriculum as our seven week classes but condensed down to three days. This is an introductory level improvisation class. You will learn the basic elements of The Second City style of improvisation. Students will study the agreements of improvisation, the building of an ensemble, creation of an environment and character construction. 10:30am-6:30pm for three days. Intensives are available throughout the year. Click here for details and a schedule.

Improv 1 Weeklong Intensive

Five days of intensive improvisation for those who can’t make the seven week program or want a quick brush up on skills. This is the same curriculum as our seven week classes but condensed down to five days. This is an introductory level improvisation class. You will learn the basic elements of The Second City style of improvisation. Students will study the agreements of improvisation, the building of an ensemble, creation of an environment and character construction. Click here for details.

• Our next weeklong Intensive is Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 2

Summer Boot Camp

Tuition is $750 per camp. Click here for details.

Camp #1- June 25 – July 13
Camp #2- July 16 – August 3
Camp #3- August 6 – August 24

Spend part of your summer at The Second City Hollywood making new friends and learning new skills, all while having loads of fun and laughs. The Second City has launched the careers of countless actors, writers, directors and producers, and has influenced American comedy like no other theatre. Our summer program attracts students from all over the country and abroad. Camp will take place Monday through Friday 10:30am-4:30pm. Each day students rotate through Improvisation, Sketch Comedy and Musical Improvisation. All students are welcome and no previous experience is needed. At the end of the third week, invite your friends and family to a free show where you will show off your new improv, singing and sketch skills. You’ll receive a 15% family discount on each additional child after the first registration.

Stand-Up Comedy 101

A Stand up workshop taught by Second City Alumnus and working stand-up comedian David Pompeii, this one-week intensive teaches you the basics of stand-up comedy and gets you ready to perform a 5 minute set for a live audience. The workshop culminates in a class show at The Second City where each student will perform their own 5 minute set. 5 classes, 11am-4pm, June 4-8 culminating with a one hour class show on Friday June 8th.

Participants will then have an open mic set that they can perform around town and build into a full act. Tuition is $285.

June 4 - June 8, 11am-4pm, REGISTER HERE

Shortform Performance Workshop

If you love performing shortform improvisation for an audience, then this special workshop is for you. This 4 week workshop will include 3 different, 35 minute long shortform improv performances in the Second City Hollywood Studio Theatre. Open to all students who completed improv 3, this special workhsop will give you the opportunity to focus entirely on performing for a live audience. You'll play games taht you learned in Improv 1-3, learn new games, and perform a different running order each show. It's guaranteed to be a fun workshop with tons of stage time.

Classes: Wednesdays June 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 7-10pm.
Shows: Fridays June 15, 22 & 29 at 8pm.
Teacher: Frank Caeti

Tuition is $285.

REGISTER HERE!

Beginning Voiceover: for Improvisors

Second City Alumnus Kiff VandenHeuvel teaches this one-week intensive covering an introduction to the exciting and lucrative world of commercial and character voiceover. Improvisation is a skill that is actively sought after in voiceover artists and this class is about helping the student discover what they will need to get started in the world of voiceover. During this class you'll learn about mic technique, demos, the difference between narrator and character reads, rates, tips, tricks and resources for building your career in the LA voiceover scene. At the end of class you will receive mp3 files of your work.

About the instructor: Kiff is a nationally known and well respected voice talent who has performed in hundreds of television, radio and internet commercials and has appeared in many video games and animation projects as well. To hear a sample of some of his work, check out www.kiffvh.com

June 25 - June 29 12-4pm, REGISTER HERE