The Conservatory

Study improvisation as an acting technique and its use in the development of a Second City-style revue in this advanced program, the cornerstone of The Second City Training Center. Students build upon the fundamentals of improvisation, advance their scenic and character skills, explore forms and styles and learn how to use improvisation to create material for a satiric comedy revue.

$340/$310 early registration per level, 8 weeks, 3 hours

Audition information

An audition is required for admission to The Conservatory. All students must have completed at least one full year of a progressive improvisation training program and at least one acting class at the post-high school level. If you have questions about your eligibility for the audition, please contact the Training Center.

If you have not completed the prerequisite requirements at The Second City, please submit your information via this submission form and your approval to audition will be confirmed or another program will be recommended for you. Students who have completed part or all of the audition requirements at The Second City should submit the form or contact the Training Center to ensure the audition approval is placed on their student record. Note: It is recommended that you contact the Training Center prior to the first sign-up day to receive or confirm your approval or you risk getting shut out of the auditions.

Audition sign-up will be available online or by calling the Training Center. See the dates below for when sign-up opens and a link to the online registration system. Students are allowed to audition for two consecutive terms, but if not approved, they must wait at least one term before reauditioning.

Check out our audition guide for helpful information!

2013 Conservatory Audition Dates
July 26 (audition sign-up opens July 12)
September 27 (audition sign-up opens September 13)
November 22 (audition sign-up opens November 8)

Audition sign-up is available HERE.

Program information

Performances: Students in Levels 3 through 5 perform throughout the term in Donny’s Skybox Theatre or the de Maat Studio Theatre. Level 6 students perform a weekly show in The Second City e.t.c.

Current Conservatory students can REGISTER FOR CLASSES HERE.

Level 1 Audition required

Advanced improvisational scene work

Level 2

Persona characters and the improviser as the actor.

Level 3 Audition required

Prerequisites: Students will participate in a re-admission audition at the end of their Level 2 class. Students who do not pass this audition need to wait two terms before reauditioning.

Acting and character.

Level 4

Styles and forms.

Level 5

Generating satirical material.

   

Level 6

Creation and performance of a revue.