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Thank you for choosing to study with The Second City Training Centre in Toronto. We hope your experience with us will be informative and fun.
Register Online – You can see all scheduled class times and if space is available through our website. Check out our full variety of classes for Adults and Kids & Teens. Once enrolled you will receive confirmation via e-mail.
Our phone number is 416-343-0011.
Payment must be made at the time of enrollment in order to secure your spot in class. Payment plans are available. Scholarships, volunteer credits, internship, or workstudy credits cannot be used retroactively. If you have a balance on your account, please reach out to customerservice@secondcity.com for payment options.
Training Center Programs
Additional Info
Bookmark this link to find out when we're holding them!
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Come to play or to watch!
Apply today!
Learn more about our policies and procedures here.
Important Dates
Term Dates
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Term 1 2023
Jan 09
Feb 27
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Term 2 2023
Mar 06
Apr 23
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Term 3 2023
May 01
Jun 26
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Term 4 2023
Jul 03
Aug 21
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Term 5 2023
Aug 28
Oct 28
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Term 6 2023
Oct 30
Dec 21
Closed Dates
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New Year's Day
Jan 01
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Family Day
Feb 20
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Easter/Good Friday
Apr 07
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Victoria Day
May 22
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Canada Day
Jul 01
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Simcoe Day
Aug 07
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Labour Day
Sep 02
Sep 04
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Day of Truth & Reconciliation
Sep 30
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Thanksgiving
Oct 09
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Christmas Day
Dec 25
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Boxing Day
Dec 26
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New Year's Eve
Dec 31
Being a Student
Student Perks
- Grad Revue Shows - Student Rush Tickets - Current students can redeem one free ticket if they arrive, in person, at the box office within two hours before the start of the show. These tickets can only be redeemed for Grad Revue shows.
- 15% off All Stages - Current students can receive 15% off one ticket per order for shows Sunday-Thursday.
- Free Tickets - Current students are automatically added to an email list that will occasionally offer free tickets to resident shows.
- Raffles and Giveaways - These are emailed to current students and also posted on our social media.
- 35% Off Food - Students can present their Student ID for this discount at our restaurant!
FAQs
It depends what you'd like to do. The Improvisation Program is a great jumping off point. We also have Improv for Anxiety, Public Speaking and Acting as great first options. Or if you're looking to go the writing route, we have the Writing or Stand Up Programs. If you have completed a full year of improv training (equivalent to our Improv Program) from another training centre and you have completed a post secondary acting course, then you are eligible to submit for our Conservatory Program. If you need any help deciding which classes to take, just give us a call at 416-343-0011. We will always be happy to chat with you about your interests and goals and figure out the best place for you to begin.
What is the difference between Acting and Improv classes?
While both of these core programs use similar improvisational techniques derived from the teachings of Viola Spolin, the focus for the performer is different. In the Improv program, we teach you how to work, play & perform without a script. In the Acting program, we show you how to use those improv skills to be a better, more present actor. Later levels of the Acting program also incorporate scripts and memorized text including scenes from the Second City Archives.
Only some advanced programs like the Sketch Conservatory require auditions, though some specialized classes and workshops may have prerequisites.
Can I get a university/college credit or get a degree for taking classes?
Because the Training Centre itself is not an accredited institution of higher learning, just an awesome professional training center, students are generally ineligible for college credit. We also cannot file the paperwork for international students to obtain student visas. However, if you are currently enrolled in college, we have this amazing program called Comedy Studies which is an accredited college program that we run in Chicago in partnership with Columbia College. This is a semester-long study in comedy for which students do receive college credit.
Is there an age limit to attend classes?
We offer classes in our Kids and Teens Program for students ages 4-18. Students must be at least 19 to attend classes in our adult programs or at least a high school graduate, but there is no upper age limit. Even Betty White could come take a class (although we know she doesn't need it)!
We require payment at the time of registration in order to hold your spot in the class. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Amex, cash, or cheque. PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE! Pay for your class in installments. Register online and set up your own payment plan, or inquire with the office.
Yes! You can find more information here.
What do I do if a class is full or not on sale?
You can add yourself to our wishlist HERE!
The class doesn't work for me anymore. Can I transfer or get a refund?
Tuition fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. If you have a conflict with your schedule, please contact our Customer Service team as soon as possible to see if any arrangements can be made. Transfers may be subject to a $50 transfer fee.
Why is there a random noun next to the class name?
We have lots of classes, and sometimes we have multiple sections of the same class running at the same time. In those cases we add various words to the class names so you know which class you belong to. If you are continuing to the next level of a program on the same day and time, please enroll in the same word group.
What if I have to miss a class?
If you have to miss a class, please reach out to our Customer Service team for options. We do not offer scheduled makeup classes but will assist you as best we can. Make sure to contact your instructor for any material you may have missed. Try to get to every class, so that you don’t miss class content, and can advance to the next level of your program!
If I need to take off a term, can I return and continue where I was?
Sometimes a student may wish or need to take time off from The Training Centre due to personal reasons. Should this occur, please contact The Training Centre staff immediately. Please be informed that when you return, the Training Centre will place you at its discretion. Students who leave during the Conservatory Program may be asked to re-audition. Returning students must pay the tuition rate that is applicable to the time of rejoining The Training Centre. Any student returning after more than one (1) year of absence is required to rejoin the program at a level determined by The Training Centre.
If I take classes, do I get to be a Second City cast member?
It takes a great deal of training and experience to become a member of our professional company. Most of the resident actors have trained and performed for a number of years before being hired by The Second City. Although many of the resident company actors are graduates of The Training Centre, completion of any program does not guarantee employment with the company.
I want to work as a performer for Second City someday, so what classes should I take?
The most direct answer is the Conservatory, our cornerstone training program designed to give you first-hand experience in the Second City method. It caters to the aspiring professional, and it qualifies you to audition for our house teams and other advanced programs. Admission is by audition only and requires some previous experience, so you may need to start with training in our Improvisation program. However, great Second City actors also have to be able to perform scripted material and create believable characters on stage (try our Acting program), and on the resident stages they write their own material (try our Comedy Writing program). And they all have to be comfortable with music and singing (we have a variety of music classes!). These programs can be great preparation for the Conservatory, but students also frequently enroll in them after graduation from the Conservatory to round out their skills and deepen the understanding of their craft. The bottom line is all of the programs here will give you practical experience that will make you a creative powerhouse.
