What Is The Second City?

The Second City opened its doors as a small cabaret theater nearly 60 years ago and has since become the world’s premier name in improv-based sketch comedy and education.

We have more than a handful of successful Second City alumni that we aren’t too modest to mention, like Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Steve Carell, John Candy, Stephen Colbert, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Catherine O’Hara, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Martin Short, and Fred Willard. With a variety of theaters, Second City Training Centers, and Theatrical and Touring Company ensembles, The Second City can be found all over the world. We’ve also taken improv off the stage, expanding our business to include collaborations with corporate clients and television and film productions.

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