The Second City Training Center Joins Forces With Zipcar To Create A Recycling Program

On August 30th, The Second City Training Center will begin its recycling efforts in conjunction with Zipcar. Paper goods, plastics, aluminum, and glass will be transported each week to one of Chicago’s recycling centers via a conveniently located car kindly donated by Zipcar.

“We think it is important that individuals and companies alike commit to improving our surroundings on a daily basis,” says Kerry Sheehan, President of The Second City Training Center. “We recently won Active Transport Alliance’s “bike-to-work week” competition. Now, we look forward to sitting back and enjoying the ride to the closest recycling center. ”

House Improv Ensemble "Twisty" Holding Auditions September 2nd

The Second City Training center will be holding Auditions for the House Improv Ensemble "Twisty" on Thursday, September 2nd. "Twisty" performs every Saturday night in the Skybox Theater with regular rehearsals preceding each performance.

Audition slots will be open to all Conservatory graduates as well as anyone who will be entering Level 5 in term 5 of 2010.

To schedule an audition, please call (312) 664-3959 on AUGUST 19th BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10am-6pm ONLY. Auditions slots will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Please bring a headshot and resume to the audition, and wear performance attire.

Time Out Chicago Recommends Second City Drop-in Classes for Anyone Looking to Improve at Work

Time Out Chicago published a wonderful piece about how Second City classes can help you get over your fears in your personal and professional life. The author recommends our drop-in classes for anyone looking to try it out.

Read the rest of the article at Time Out Chicago.

Wednesday Night Drop-in Improv Classes to Continue

TRAINING CENTER CHICAGO Wednesday night drop-in improv classes to continue

Because of the popularity of our summer Wednesday drop-in improv classes, these classes will continue to be offered. The Wednesday night drop-in classes at 10pm will now have a regular place on the schedule beginning September 1. The semi-regular Sunday 6pm classes will also still be available.

Open to all levels of improvisers, drop-in classes are a great option if you are interested in seeing what an improvisation class is like or just want some extra practice. You do not need to be a Training Center student to attend. Drop-in classes cost $10, and registration is taken in-person at the Training Center reception desk on the fourth floor of Pipers Alley, 1608 N Wells Street. A full list of available class dates is available on the Chicago Training Center website. For more information call 312-664-3959.

Training Center Staffer is Spotlighted Online for His Volunteer Work

Second City Training Center employee, Andrew Thorp, was honored on Tuesday for his volunteer work with Chicago Cares. He's been involved with their Children's Education program and their Ginko Garden in Uptown. In his two years of service for Chicago Cares, Andrew has logged nearly 40 hours of time as a team leader. Good work, Andrew!

To read the full article, click here.

Youth Program Fall Registration begins July 19th!

Registration for our fall session is just around the corner so don’t miss out. Students ages 2-18 can choose from a wide range of classes including improv, stand up, sketch or one of our new our new classes like Singprov or Acting for ages 13-14. Classes start September 11th and run for 12 weeks through December 5th with a student demonstration on the final day. Each class has students on their feet participating in exercises that develop stage presence, creativity, communication skills, patience, self-confidence and most importantly - are fun!

All classes at The Second City Training Center, Piper’s Alley 4th floor, 1608 N. Wells Street in Chicago. For more information see our Kids Program page.

7 Day Shorts: Tuesday Nights at the Chicago Training Center

Come see what Training Center students and faculty are generating at 7 Day Shorts!

Every Tuesday night, teams of Second City faculty, student & alumni filmmakers screen under-two-minute shorts based on an audience suggestion from a week before. After the screening, a rotating group of Second City Faculty will perform an improv set based on the new suggestion for the week. Any member of the extended Second City family may attend the show and submit a video the following week.

Click Here for Details

Open run every Tuesday at 10:30pm.

See highlights from 7 Day Shorts in LA, Detroit, Toronto & Chicago.

Tickets at the door are $10-general public, $1 to TC students

Improv student hopes to be next Food Network Star

Chef Paul Young is using his improv skills that he learned at the Second City Training Center as a competitor on the current season of The Next Food Network Star. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Paul tells how his improv skills help him in the kitchen and in front of the television cameras.

Read the Chicago Tribune Interview.

New Comedy Exposed Interview with Brian Posen

Brian Posen, founder of Sketch Fest, and long time teacher in the Second City Training Center, is the latest subject of Jimmy Carrane's Comedy Exposed podcast.

Brian and Jimmy touch on their former teachers, how improv and sketch work apply to life in general, and the history of sketch on the Chicago scene.

Check out the full interview on Comedy Exposed.

Meredith from The Office started here, at the Second City Training Center

Kate Flannery, best known for her role as Meredith in The Office, wasn't always a well-loved TV actress. She started her career in Chicago, with The Second City Training Center, The Second City Touring Company, and the Annoyance Theater. After 20 years of plugging away, she finally landed her big, well deserved, break.

Chicago Pride recently did an interview with Kate, where she talks about her life, her career, and her character.

Beloved Almuni Gerry Salsberg Passes Away

Beloved Second City Alumnus Gerry Salsberg passed away last night in Toronto. Gerry appeared on the Toronto Second City stage in 1973, and enjoyed decades of success in character roles on television. The Second City extends its condolences to Gerry’s family and many colleagues.

Services for Gerry Salsberg will be held Thursday, June 24th at Steeles Memorial Chapel, 350 Steeles Ave West, Toronto. Memorial donations may be made to the Starlight Foundation (416-502-9474) or to the Hospital for Sick Children (416-813-5320).

Former Training Center Student Craig Robinson to Host Last Comic Standing

Craig Robins, best known for his work on "The Office" is going to be the emcee on the upcoming season of Last Comic Standing.

In a Boston Herald article Craig says he feels like a father to the young comics.

Before Craig hit it big with "The Office" and later Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Hot Tub Time Machine he was a Chicago based touring comic. He played venues all across the world, including Mexico, Amsterdam, and Israel.

Training Center Writing Student, Michael Tester, Opens a New Musical

BroadwayWorld.com covered the new show Most Likely To: The Senior Superlative Musical, written by Michael Tester. Michael took classes at the Second City Training Center for writing, and has since left his mark on the New York theatre scene. His work on The Awesome 80s Prom and others has made him a hot writing commodity. He is now working closely with Ken Davenport on a new musical even as Most Likely To is about to hit the stage.

See BroadwayWorld's article here.

Time Out Interviews Brian Gallivan About His New Found "Sassy Gay Friend" Fame

Web Behrens at Time Out Chicago did a great interview with Second City alum Brian Gallivan. During Brian's stint on the Chicago Mainstage he developed his now famous character "Sassy Gay Friend." The subsequent videos have been viewed more than 4 million times, and have helped Gallivan snag some meetings and more attention in Hollywood.

Check out the Time Out Interview here.

Additional drop-in improv classes added this summer

If you are interested in seeing what an improvisation class is like or just want some extra practice, the Training Center has added some additional times this summer for its popular drop-in classes. In addition to its semi-regular Sunday 6pm classes, drop-ins will also run on Wednesdays at 10pm from June 16-August 18.

These classes are open to all levels of improvisers, and you do not need to be a Training Center student to attend. Drop-in classes cost $10, and registration is taken in-person at the Training Center reception desk on the fourth floor of Pipers Alley, 1608 N Wells Street. A full list of available class dates is available on the Chicago Training Center website. For more information call 312-664-3959.

Alum Tina Fey to Receive Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Congratulations! Second City alum Tina Fey has been selected to receive the 13th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The Kennedy Center will present the 13th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Tina Fey on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The award, named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists, and will feature a lineup of the biggest names in comedy, and will be taped for television broadcast. She is the youngest recipient of this prestigious award.

For more information, visit The Kennedy Center's Website.

Second City Training Center Instructor Joe Janes – From Sketch to Stage in 365 Days

Chicago Training Center Writing Instructor Joe Janes embarked on an ambitious project to write an original comedy sketch every single day for an entire year. Now, the full collection is being produced in Chicago. Congratulations, Joe! A full Performink article about the upcoming performances is online here.

You can see more about Joe's writing classes at the Second City Training Center here.

You can read more about Joe and the 365 Sketches project at his blog.

Mike Myers Talks about His Training at Second City

Alum Mike Myers appeared today on Live with Regis and Kelly to promote the upcoming movie Shrek, Forever After. During the interview, Myers was asked to name the most influential teacher in his life. Myers responded with two; one was a public school teacher he had during his years in the Toronto school system and the other was our own Del Close, who taught him at The Second City. Myers goes on to say that his time at The Second City proved to be some of the most important years of his life of his life. Del taught him that a true artist "makes things." "So when you ask me what I do," said Myers, "I say I make things."

Farley Bros. Radio: LIVE From Second City Hollywood!

Farley Brothers Radio is now being recorded LIVE from The Second City in Hollywood! Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes for a brutally honest, wickedly funny, viewer-discretion-advised confab on all things Farley. Listen in as Kevin & John spin tales of sex, drugs and comedy alongside their hilarious takes on life, love and family. From Madison to Hollywood, it's a conversation undeniably Farley. Hosted by John & Kevin Farley with Carissa Kosta.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

Live in LA? Come watch them LIVE every Saturday at 7pm.
Tickets are available on our website.

The Week According To Frangela Podcast: LIVE From The Second City Hollywood!

Frangela, featuring alums Frances Callier and Angela Shelton, is now recording their weekly podcast, "The Week According To Frangela" LIVE from The Second City Hollywood! Frangela takes the news of the week and puts their hilarious spin on it. You've seen them on VH1's Best Week Ever, heard them nationally on Stephanie Miller, Randi Rhodes and locally in LA on KTLK. Now catch their show live and in person. Jonathan Gold of the LA Weekly says Frangela is "a blast of common sense amid the pasty drone of their sub-Limbaugh competitors." "The Week According to Frangela" is The Daily Show meets the Radio with a whole lot of funny attitude.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

Live in LA? Come watch them LIVE every Saturday at 8pm.
Tickets are available on our website.

PUMA Scholarship Update

Thank you to all of the talent who applied for our scholarship this year.

With over 200 scholarship applications received nationwide from Los Angeles to Atlanta to win a free year of training at The Second City Chicago or Hollywood, we've narrowed our talent pool to 26 lucky finalists.

Starting Wednesday, May 5 - Thursday, May 6 -- the finalist group comprised of ambitious actors, comics, improvisers and novices will participate in a free improv workshop taught by resident director Mick Napier, enjoy a PUMA shopping spree, attend a Mainstage show and show off their skills and talent in an improv audition.

The Ever-Popular Free Music Improv Jams are Back

Open to students and performers of all levels, the musical improv jams are great way to get some more singprov experience. A Second City Music Director leads participants through fun and challenging short-form musical improv games. Get up and play, meet fellow improvisers and learn new games. On-lookers welcome, too. No registration required.

FREE, 1.5 hours

Upcoming jam dates
Saturdays, 4:00-5:30
May 8-June 26
de Maat Studio Theatre

Have Fun this Mother’s Day - She Deserves It!

Skip the brunch and take your Mom out for some real fun this Mother's Day.

Drop-In Improv Class
If she's hilarious and been practicing some good bits, bring her to a Drop-In Improv Class on Sunday from 6-8pm for only 10 bucks each. No registration is required and all levels are welcome (especially beginner).

"Taming of the Flu" in The Second City Mainstage
If she'd rather watch than play, bring her to see "Taming of the Flu" in The Second City Mainstage. She can check out the new cast members and you can both relax and enjoy the show. (Also, students receive a free ticket to the show, so you can also save a couple of bucks)

Training Center Spotlighted on Chicago Magazine Blog

The Second City Training Center's performances of "Wait, It Gets Better" in Donny's Skybox and a recent performance by our ImaginAction students (4-6 years old) were highlighted in a recent post by Gina Bazer on the Chicago Magazine Blog. Check it out at www.chicagomag.com.

For more info on training classes and shows, visit our Training Center.

Second City Hollywood Teacher Headlines Disaster Date on MTV

Monika Smith

Monika Smith, a teacher at The Second City Hollywood, has landed a regular gig on MTV's Disaster Date - a hilarious new hidden camera dating show that puts unsuspecting singles on the worst blind date of their lives. And it all comes courtesy of a best friend looking for payback.

The daters are unwittingly set up with a comedic improv actor (Monika) whose only job is to turn the date into a complete mess by breaking all of the dating rules. But the actor won't do it alone because the friend directs all the action from the control room feeding personal information about the dater to the actor. After all, who knows how to push the dater's buttons better than a best friend?

You can catch Disaster Dates every weekday on MTV!

In addition to Disaster Dates, Monika can be seen as a recurring character on Spike TV's Players, as a recurring character on Comedy Central's Rich Dicks, and most recently on Apples to Apples.