Nancy snagged Miguel from his post on his last day of interning to talk about what’s next in his life! Find out all about Miguel’s Production Company Digital Cake, his upcoming one-man show, his wonderful fiancé Ruby Vega and more!
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Andrew Thorp interviews Meg on her last day of a 2+ year internship before she goes off to get her Masters. Listen in for some of Meg's weirdest and most fun moments while interning and taking classes at The Second City Training Center. Stay tuned to see her 2-person show with fellow intern Katie Hughes!
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The Second City Training Center will offer three levels of Viewpoints during upcoming Summer Immersion sessions. Used in rehearsal processes at Steppenwolf and The Gift Theatre, The Viewpoints are a physical approach towards listening and responsiveness in the moment and a method for creating original works of theatre. Each session is taught by Michael Patrick Thornton (TV's Private Practice) and Norm Holly (Conservatory Program Head), available from 10am-5pm; $550 each session.
• Viewpoints 1--This class is an introduction to the Viewpoints, a physical approach to performance/theatre-creation which fosters high responsiveness in the moment. Students will discover and utilize these alternative approaches to performance in order to become more active, listening, and contributory scene partners and artists.Available in Session 1. Prerequisite: Previous acting or improvisation experience is highly recommended.
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• Viewpoints 2--"Compositional work": Using The Viewpoints to create both individual and group works of original theatre. Compositions will be created both in and outside the classroom with a focus on intentionality with regard to the use of space, time, and source material. Available in Session 2. Prerequisite: Viewpoints 1 or instructor approval.
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• Viewpoints 3--Viewpoints in performance: The ensemble will create a group composition in class and then perform it in front of an audience. Act One of the performance consists of that group composition. Before intermission, the ensemble will conduct a Second City-style “pad set” with the audience in order to generate an ingredients list for a new composition. Intermission will be spent devising that composition based on the audience’s suggestions and then performing it for Act Two. Act Two’s composition will be discussed at the next class, re-performed, mashed-up with Act One, and re-performed as the new Act One in front of an audience, etc., etc., in order to create an ever-evolving work of art. Available in Session 3. Prerequisite: Viewpoints 2 or instructor approval.
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Specialty Immersions are courses in a particular topic often with special guest instructors. The Specialty Immersions run concurrently with our regular Improv and Writing Immersions. These are available as half-day or full-day sessions depending on the course.
Specialty Immersions Tuition: Each course is priced individually. Check the course details for pricing.
Prerequisites: Each Specialty Immersion will have its own prerequisites or acceptance can be given by permission of the program head. Previous training will be considered toward the prerequisites. Contact Adult Program Coordinator Stephanie Gruender at sgruender@secondcity.com or call the Training Center at 312-664-3959 to obtain permission.
4/9/2013 Comments (0)Attention all stand-up comics who have ever taken a class (ANY class in ANY program) at The Second City Training Center:
The Second City Training Center is accepting applications to perform at The SCTC Rapid-Fire Stand-Up Showcase.
This one-time event will take place on Friday, April 19th, 2013, at 11pm in the Skybox Theatre. It'll be a short show -- no more than 50 minutes. Tickets will be free.
We are seeking applicants who would like to perform a short set at the show. Set length will likely be 2.5 minutes. (We will also have two headliners -- also SCTC alumni -- who will do 7-minute sets, but they are already booked. You can only apply to do a short set.)
You can apply here. FYI, here's the info that the application form will ask you for:
• Your first and last name
• Your stage name if it is different
• One-paragraph performer's bio and/or one-paragraph description of what you've done stand-up wise
• One-paragraph description of classes/programs you've taken at the SCTC
• (Optional) Link to a video of you doing stand-up. Even if the production quality is not high, if you've got decent video, send it so we can see you doing stand-up.
We are accepting applications now, and will stop accepting applications at 12 noon on Wednesday, April 10th. Note that we only have a small number of slots available. We will e-mail ALL applicants with our decisions, by 12 noon on Friday, April 12th. If you have questions, please email openmic@secondity.com. Please use subject line "Rapid-Fire Showcase" in your email.
4/1/2013 Comments (2)Anne Libera, The Director of Comedy Studies at Columbia College and Author of The Second City Almanac of Improvisation, talks with WGN's Brian Noonan about Columbia College and The Second City's latest collaboration: a Bachelor's Degree in Comedy Studies.
Listen to the WGN Interview
Read CJ Toledano's personal Comedy Studies experience.
Click here for more information on Comedy Studies.
Click here for information on Spring and Summer Camps and Classes.
3/18/2013 Comments (0)Want to see big comedy at a small price? Take the Chicagoist's recommendation and check out our upcoming shows in Donny's Skybox and de Maat Theaters, with over 20 shows a week!
See the Chicagoist's full article here: http://chicagoist.com/2013/02/20/chicagos_best_comedy_locales.php
2/21/2013
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Listen in as Nancy learns all kinds of interesting information about one of The Second City’s newest and most sought after Writing Program teachers, David Wolinsky. (Teaser: David wrote for Rolling Stone and The Onion and dressed up as a professor in his band.)
About David
David Wolinsky is an internationally published writer, critic, and the co-author of a book from The Onion's A.V. Club, the straight journalism side of one of the nation's biggest and most respected satire publications. He's also part of the management editorial teams at NBC Chicago and adultswim.com. His degree is in music business (not writing) from Middle Tennessee State, which is why he also thinks anyone who wants to write for a living can, if they're determined enough. He's also co-authoring another book, a web series, and writing a handful of scripts (including an hour-long drama pilot about 9/11). Between all that, he freelances for publications as far-flung as Wired and Maxim to Funny or Die and @GAMER. You can follow David on Twitter @davidwolinsky.
David teaches 'Humor Writing For The Internet' and 'Across The Finish Line' at The Second City Training Center. For more information, call 312.64.3959 or visit Secondcity.com/tc
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On Thurs, February 28, learn to have more fun in group settings using improvisation with Bela Gandhi from Smart Dating Academy and Jeff Gandy from The Second City Training Center.
Workshop at The Second City Training Center (4th Floor of Piper's Alley) - 5:30-7:00
Cocktails and Networking at The Second City e.t.c. (2nd Floor of Piper's Alley) - 7:00-8:00
Watch The Second City e.t.c.'s hilarious Jeff Award-Winning show "We're All in This Room Together" - 8:00-10:30p
Tickets are $35.00 and can be reserved at www.secondcity.com. Select "A Comedy Mixer" under "Tell us how many tickets you'd like." You can also call The Second City Box Office at 312-337-3992. Tickets include the workshop, one cocktail at The Second City e.t.c. and a show ticket.
2/14/2013 Comments (0)Think you’re tone deaf or can’t sing? You’re wrong! Listen in as Nancy and Amanda talk about Second City’s Musical Improv and Vocal classes, Carol Burnett, guinea pigs and much more!
About Amanda:
Amanda has studied and worked in comedy and musical theater throughout Toronto, Chicago, and New York. She is a composer and lyricist for several groups, including the award winning musical four play which she also co-wrote. She music directs at iO, ComedySportz, the SCTC, and the Annoyance, and freelances for several groups around the city. She is also a performer, playing in both MIHE and SongCo, and in BattleProv at CSz. She has many musical theater credits and sings professionally with both choirs and big bands.
Work with Amanda in Vocal Basics: Song and Character! - (Click Here for more info) Focus on vocal technique, both sung and spoken. The curriculum includes group study as well as substantial individual attention. Perfect for those who want to strengthen their singing and speaking voice, improve range, flexibility, and power.
$150, 4 weeks, 3 hours
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The Second City Training Center - Toronto recently welcomed new improv student Annamay Pierse, a former Olympic swimmer and record-holder The National Post wrote a great article on Annamay, detailing her career and newly-found love for improv. Check it out here.
The Second City Training Center is now enrolling for Spring and Fall classes. for more information, visit http://www.secondcity.com/training/chicago/
1/25/2013 Comments (0)
Book one of Second City’s touring shows at your theatre, or have us create a completely customized show for your city.
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