Sketch Ensemble Project

Learn to embrace and hone the collaborative writing techniques that makes Second City writers rock stars in any writer’s room. This highly selective two-term program brings together writers, performers and production students to create a Second City-style revue using a collaborative model. Led by Anthony LeBlanc with occasional special guest speakers and instructors offering up personal industry experience, students will receive weekly direction utilizing group writing and improvisation to create original material that is molded into a revue presented in Donny's Skybox Theater.

This course is intended to bridge the gap between a classroom setting and a professional writers' room environment. Work collaboratively to meet deadlines. Performers utilize improvisation to inspire and extend the writing process.

Take the course in one of three tracks:

• Writer: Six writers will be selected to craft the material in the show. Create material for a specific cast of performers; refresh the show with timely replacement material; maintain the balance of your unique writer’s voice within the ensemble process. Admission by submission/application only.
• Performer: Six performers will improvise through the writing process to help create material, and perform in the 4-week run. Inspire the writing team with strong characters; work with writers to use improvisation to expand scripts; present a polished performance to collaborative material. Admission by audition.
• Production: Two students will be selected to act as Assistant Director and Producer. These students will have expanded access to Second City resources and mentorship opportunities behind the scenes. Admission by application and interview.

The course is 16 weeks long, held over two terms. Tuition is $340 per term.

• Session one: Collaborative Creation: Generate, write, improvise, and edit original material for a Second City-style revue
• Session two: Preview and Production: Edit and refine material using previews working towards 4 shows in Donny's Skybox Theatre with some new topical material generated and crafted for each performance.

Prerequisites:

Writers: Completion of Writing 6 & sketch submission. Written submissions due by October 5, 2012 to Andy Eninger at aeninger@secondcity.com. Final selections will be announced October 12.
Performers: Completion of Improv Level E/Improv for Actors 2, enrollment in the Conservatory, or equivalent. Auditions: Saturday, October 6, 4-7pm. Sign-up is available here.
Production: Sketch Ensemble Applications for Production roles are due October 8, 2012 to Andy Eninger by printed application or email.

Performances: February 1-22, 2013; Fridays at 7:30pm in Donny's Skybox.

FAQ’s
 
Writers: What writing should I submit?
Writers, please submit one scene that you feel best shows your sketch writing ability (maximum 6 pages).  Optionally, you may (but are not required to) submit a second piece (maximum 3 pages) that can be anything that shows off your writing for the stage.  This can also be a link to an online video or audio file, maximum 3 minutes.  This second piece may be used in making our final decisions but is not required.
 
Please check for typos – professionalism counts.  In your cover letter/e-mail, please let us know anything else that may be helpful in making our final selection – related experience, special writing skills or how this class may help you reach your goals.
 
Can my material have been produced for the stage?
Yes, but we would prefer to see scenes we have not seen in a Writing 6 revue.
 
May I apply for more than one role? (Writer, Performer, Production)
Yes, but you will be selected for one track for the program.
 
Performer: How is this different from performing in a Writing 6 revue – why am I paying for this class?
You are a part of the process from the very beginning.  In the same way an SNL actor might create characters to inspire the writers, you will be an active part of the writer’s room from day one.  You will gain training in working directly with writers, in adapting to changing material, and you will gain valuable insight on what it takes to capture and polish the best of your improvised material.  You will get the experience of crafting material through the Second City Process while also gaining the structural and content finesse of an experienced writer.