IMPROV | YOUTH | WRITING |
ONLINE | SPECIALTY | 2019 INTENSIVES |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

No Class 5/21-5/26
Building Closed: 5/27 & 7/4

Improvising Basics – While learning the building blocks of improvisation, this term builds confidence through ensemble energy.

Improv 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Thursdays · 11-2:30PM (6/6-7/25, NO CLASS 7/4)
Improv 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (6/8-7/20)
Improv 1 · Mondays · 11-2:30PM (7/1-8/12)
Improv 1 · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)
Improv 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
Improv 1 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Improv 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Wednesdays · 2:30-6PM (7/3-8/14)
Improv 1 · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)
Improv 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Thursdays · 2:30-6PM (7/11-8/22)
Improv 1 · Thursdays · 6:30-10PM (7/11-8/22)
Improv 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)
Improv 1 · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18)
Improv 1 · Sundays · 3:30-7PM (7/7-8/18)

IMPROV 1 EXPRESS

Improvising Basics – While learning the building blocks of improv, this term builds confidence through ensemble energy. Same curriculum meeting twice a week for 3.5 weeks.

Improv 1 EXPRESS · Mon&Tues · 6:30-10PM (6/4-6/25)
Improv 1 EXPRESS (Off Peak Hours) · Mon&Wed· 11-2:30PM (6/5-6/26)
Improv 1 EXPRESS · Sat&Sun · 12-3:30PM (7/13-8/3)

IMPROV 1 3-DAY INTENSIVE

Improvising Basics – While learning the building blocks of improv, this term builds confidence through ensemble energy. Same curriculum just squeezed into 3 days.

Improv 1 · 3-Day INT · 11-7PM, Friday-Sunday (5/24-5/26)
Improv 1 · 3-Day INT · 11-7PM, Friday-Sunday (6/28-6/30)
Improv 1 · 3-Day INT · 11-7PM, Friday-Sunday (8/2-8/4)

IMPROV 1 5-DAY INTENSIVE

Improvising Basics – While learning the building blocks of improv, this term builds confidence through ensemble energy. Same curriculum just squeezed into 5 days.

Improv 1 · 5-Day INT · 11-4:30PM · Monday-Friday (10/21-10/25)

IMPROV FOR VETERANS LEVEL ALPHA

In the alpha level of this class, students will learn skills needed to create strong improvised scenes. These skills include building ensemble, giving and taking focus, object work, and the concept of “yes, and.”

IMPROV 2

Improvising Scenes – A study of emotion, relationship, point-of-view, and environment; this term focuses on what makes an improvised scene work.

Improv 2 · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)
Improv 2 (Off Peak Hours) · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
Improv 2 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Improv 2 (Off Peak Hours) · Thursdays · 11-2:30PM (7/11-8/22)
Improv 2 (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)
Improv 2 · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18)

IMPROV 2 INTENSIVE

Improvising Scenes – A study of emotion, relationship, point-of-view, and environment; this term focuses on what makes an improvised scene work. Same curriculum just squeezed into 3 days.

Improv 2 · 3-Day INT · Friday-Sunday · 11-7PM (7/12-7/14)

IMPROV 2 EXPRESS

Improvising Scenes – A study of emotion, relationship, point-of-view, and environment; this term focuses on what makes an improvised scene work. Same curriculum meeting twice a week for 3.5 weeks.

Improv 2 EXPRESS · Tues&Thurs · 6:30-10PM (7/9-7/30)

IMPROV 3

Improvising Games and Advancing Scene Work – While continuing an enhancement of improvisational scene work, this term explores improvising shortform games.

Improv 3 (Off Peak Hours) · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
Improv 3 · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)
Improv 3 (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

IMPROV 3 5-DAY INTENSIVE

Improvising Games and Advancing Scene Work – While continuing an enhancement of improvisational scene work, this term explores improvising shortform games.

Improv 3 · 5-Day INT · Mon-Fri ·11-4:30PM (6/17-6/21)
Improv 3 · 5-Day INT · Mon-Fri ·11-4:30PM (8/12-8/16)

IMPROV 3 EXPRESS

Improvising Games and Advancing Scene Work – While continuing an enhancement of improvisational scene work, this term explores improvising shortform games.

Improv 3 EXPRESS · Mon&Wed · 6:30-10PM (7/8-7/29)

IMPROV 1-3: START TO FINISH IN A MONTH!

Get it done all at once—in a month! This class will take you through the entire Improv Program levels 1-3. You will meet Mon-Fri 11-4:30pm for 3 weeks and cover the building blocks of improv, improvising scenes, improvising games and advancing scene Work, and getting ready for your Conservatory audition!

No need to worry about scheduling, this is all scheduled for you! No need to worry about the early bird discount, you’re guaranteed the lowest price! And no need to worry about canceled classes; this is your one and only class that will take you from start to finish.

Improv 1-3: Start to Finish In A Month · Mon-Fri · 11-4:30PM (7/8-7/26)

IMPROV DROP-IN

The Improv Drop-in is a noncommittal, two hour class that will keep you on your toes and inject fun into your day. Drop-ins are designed for all levels so if you want to get extra class time, play with new people or work with amazing coaches then drop on by! Any current student or grad of The Second City is eligible to take this class. For any persons with equivalent training from other programs, please call our office to determine if this class is appropriate for you. We cap the class at 16 students, so arrive early to get a spot. Prerequisite: Completion of a course at a training center.

Looking for a beginner class? Try our Taste of Second City Workshop

Improv Drop-In · Wednesdays · 12-2PM
Improv Drop-In · Saturdays · 12-2PM

CONSERVATORY 1 (audition level)

Acting within Improv – put the two together.

Graduates of iO, UCB, & ComedySportz are eligible to bypass the audition and directly enroll!!! If you are a graduate of one of these schools fill out this form: http://bit.ly/2kEqWcr and we can sign you up! Or give us a call at 323.464.8542

Cons 1 · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
Cons 1 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Cons 1 · Saturdays ·12-3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

CONSERVATORY 2

Original Characters – the next Austin Powers is within you!

Cons 2 · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
Cons 2 · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)
Cons 2 · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

CONSERVATORY 3

Study the art of ensemble improv and how to make your castmates look like rock stars! Also, learn comedic structure through both improvised scenes Second City archive sketches.

Cons 3 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Cons 3 · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

CONSERVATORY 4

Ever wanted a do-over? Here’s your chance! By re-improvising your scenes, you’ll learn how we take an idea from improvisation to a polished written sketch.

Cons 4 · Mondays · 11-2:30PM (7/1-8/12)
Cons 4 · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)
Cons 4 · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

CONSERVATORY 5

Review all the elements of scenic creation studied in the Conservatory and learn how to use them to conceptualize, pitch and perform original sketches in preparation for Grad Revue.

Cons 5 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Cons 5 · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18)

GRAD REVUE

Create an original Second City style revue! Grad Revue classes perform Sunday evenings, culminating in 7 previews and 8 final performances in The Second City Hollywood Studio Theater.

Grad Revue (Part 1): Windmill · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)
Grad Revue (Part 1): Donut · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)
Grad Revue (Part 1): Tank · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18)
Grad Revue (Part 2): Bugs · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12) · Taught by Ron West
Grad Revue (Part 2): Easter · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18) · Taught by Emily Walker

Specialty Courses:

DIRECTING PROGRAM

An elite group of eight students will go on a year-long journey in this program that teaches the fundamental techniques to directing Second City’s style of sketch comedy and improvisation. From working with scripts to coaching improv to developing scripts, this five-level program culminates in a scripted sketch revue showcasing a sample of each director’s work. Each level is seven weeks long and each class will have 6 to 8 volunteer actors for the directing students to work with in class.

Applicants need to complete the Directing Program Submission Form. Please submit yourself for consideration HERE

Directing Program · Saturdays · 12-3:30PM (7/6-4/11/2020)

LONG FORM 1: SCENE WORK

In Level 1, students will focus on solid scene work grounded in relationship. These relationships are built from rooted characters and real emotions. If “game” is explored in these scenes, it will be based in recognizable human behavior.

Long Form 1 · Mondays · 11-2:30PM (7/1-8/12)
Long Form 1 · Thursdays · 6:30-10PM (7/11-8/22)

LONG FORM 2: GROUP MIND

In Level 2, students will explore the meaning of ensemble. When group mind is achieved, it drives the flow of the long form. Tag outs, cut-aways, call backs, split scenes, openings, full cast scenes and other techniques are be used to weave the connecting threads of all forms.

Long Form 2 · Thursdays · 6:30-10PM (7/11-8/22)

LONG FORM 3: STRUCTURE

In Level 3, students will touch on popular long form structures and learn the basic principals behind most long forms. Students will hone in on a specific long form by the end of the term for the final performances.

Long Form 3 · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (4/29-6/17) · Taught by Carla Cackowski

LONG FORM 4: STRUCTURE

In Long 4, students will be cast in a long form ensemble and focus on creating an original form. This form will be showcased in a final run of performances in the Second City theater.
Auditions will be held for this class.

Long Form 4 · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-10/14)

LONG FORM 1-3: Start to Finish In A Month!

Get it done all at once! This class will take you through the entire Long Form Program levels 1-3. You will meet Mon-Fri 11-4:30pm for 3 weeks and cover the building blocks of improv, improvising scenes, improvising games and advancing scene Work, and getting ready for your Form Revue audition!

Long Form 1-3: Start to Finish In A Month · Mon-Fri · 11-4:30PM (7/15-8/2)

PHYSICAL COMEDY & CLOWNING

This class in physical comedy strips away layers of self-consciousness while familiarizing students with the bare-bones of theatrical clowning. Learn to establish a direct and immediate relationship with an audience and become complicit with scene partners while moving through performance space with musicality. The class focuses on exercises in clowning, physical comedy, improvisation to heighten one’s natural sense of play. Students will amaze themselves as they begin to master the skillful juxtaposition of emotional blundering and physical precision.

This course will be taught by Dean Evans:
Dean Evans is a Los Angeles based professional performer, writer, and director. He was named one of the top 50 ‘players’ by new city magazine. He creates the popular webseries deanis. He has appeared on nbc’s chicago pd, the onion network’s tough season 1 & 2, and various commercials and television. He has performed with the second city, io, the goodman, cirque du soliel, the neo-futurists, redmoon, collaboraction, the actor’s gymnasium and as a solo artist around the world. He is known for his physical performance and characters including the entity who simply goes by honeybuns. Dean has created over a dozen full length theatrical productions, various immersive experiences and alternate realities, 3 full length circuses, dozens of comedic characters. follow Dean on twitter or instagram.

Physical Comedy & Clowning INT · 11-4:30PM, Monday-Friday (7/29-8/2)

INTRO TO ACTING WORKSHOP

This class is perfect for any beginner who wants to be introduced to the world of acting! You’ll learn fundamental techniques for the stage and tv/film! Take that first step to become an actor! The Intro to Acting Workshop meets once a week for three hours over four weeks.

Intro to Acting Workshop · Mondays · 11-2PM (7/8-7/29)
Intro to Acting Workshop · Sundays · 4-7PM (7/14-8/14)

COMEDIC ACTING ON CAMERA

In this class, students will use improvisational exercises to create original comedic character scenes. These scenes will be transformed into short shooting scripts. Students will work in front of camera, in class, and study playback with teacher feedback. By the end of each term, students will have the opportunity to book their scenes to be professionally filmed at an additional cost, per scene.

Comedic Acting On Camera · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)

INTRO TO VOICEOVER

Second City Alumnus Kiff VandenHeuvel teaches this seven-week course covering the world of commercial and character voiceover. This class will help you discover what you’ll will need to get started in the world of voiceover. Learn about mic technique, demos, the difference between narrator and character reads, rates, tips, tricks and resources for building your career in the LA voiceover scene. At the end of class you’ll receive mp3 files of your work.

COMMERCIAL ACTING 101

This on-camera workshop prepares you to be confident and flexible in the audition process, and most importantly how to bring your unique persona into the room every time. We’ll focus on everything from fundamentals to more nuanced, advanced techniques. The goal is to help you avoid common pitfalls so that you can turn auditions into callbacks, and callbacks into bookings.

Commercial Acting 101 · Thursdays · 7-10PM (5/30-6/27) · Taught by Eileen Montelione

DIALECTS & CHARACTER VOICES 1

Looking to build your Actor/Improviser Tool Box? Want to bring your Irish Bartender into more crisp view? Got that Brooklyn Cab Driver you’ve been dying to perfect? This is the place to do it! Learn fun ways to expand your arsenal of character voices and regional dialects. In this class, we will explore character status, physicality, vocal use & placement, breathing techniques, and delve into a wide variety of accents and dialects. Explore regional influences with specificity. Participants will create original characters, work with scripted text as well as improvised scenes.

Dialects & Character Voices · Tuesdays · 7-10PM (5/28-6/18) · Taught by Cooper Shaw

DIALECTS & CHARACTER VOICES 2

Delve deeper into the world of accents, dialects, and character voices in this 4-week immersive experience. We will continue to build on the fundamentals of Level 1, digging deeper into character development as it pertains to accents, dialects and more general vocal use and placement. This next level will explore regional influences with more specificity, as students work with scripted text as well as improvised scenes.

Dialects & Character Voices Level 2 · Thursdays · 7-10PM (5/30-6/20) · Taught by Cooper Shaw

THE VOICE & THE PERFORMER

“SING OUT, LOUISE!” Having trouble being heard? Want to effectively fill the theatre with your voice without having to “yell”? In this class students will learn techniques for proper vocal care, breathing techniques, articulation, and lastly (but certainly not leastly)…projection. We will discuss and explore the anatomy and physiology of breathing and breath support as it pertains to vocal use as a performer. All exercises will lead towards a more thorough understanding of your vocal instrument, and how to play it with effectiveness & ease.

The Voice & The Performer · Wednesdays · 7-10PM (6/5-6/26) · Taught by Cooper Shaw

STORYTELLING 101

Live storytelling shows have become one of the fastest growing and most personal forms of entertainment in Los Angeles. With the popularity of shows like The Moth, Mortified and Porchlight, audiences have shown that they love to hear a well-crafted and fascinating story. In this class we will focus on the craft of 1st-person storytelling – how to structure an event from your life in a way that is interesting and entertaining to other people. At the completion of the four weeks, each of the students will walk out with one stage-ready story, which will be performed in the final class show. Classes are capped at 8 students to keep the class personal and allow more attention to each individual story.

Storytelling 101 · Thurs · 7-10PM (5/30-6/20) · Taught by Kevin McGeehan

STAND-UP 1

Develop yourself as a solo comedic performer by writing and workshopping your own material. By understanding how earlier stand-up comics evolved, students experiment outside their comfort zone and experiment until discovering their own unique style. Class culminates in a final performance in The Second City Hollywood Studio Theater.

Stand-Up 1 · Sundays · 3:30-7PM (6/9-7/21)
Stand-Up 1 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Stand-Up 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)
Stand-Up 1 · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18)
Stand-Up 1 INT · 11-4:30PM, Monday-Friday (7/8-7/12)

STAND-UP 2

Push your risk-taking as a solo comedic performer, workshop material that is tricky to write and ambitious to deliver. Writing assignments get into the difficulty of writing many jokes on one topic, extended stories, and how to start writing your jokes based on a conceptual approach rather than just a punchline. Class culminates in a final performance.

Stand-Up 2 · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)
Stand-Up 2 · Sundays · 3:30-7PM (7/7-8/18)

DEVELOP YOUR PODCAST

In this class, students will study some of the most popular podcasts and break down the elements that make them work. They will explore and identify the topics they are most passionate about and convert them into tangible podcast pitches. Once each student identifies the theme of their podcast, they will begin developing all the components and segments that support the idea. At the conclusion of this course, each student will have a pilot episode treatment for their podcast as well as a show bible for the rest of the first season. Students will also have the opportunity for their pilot to be professionally produced.

Develop Your Podcast · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)

MUSICAL IMPROV ESSENTIALS

Musical Improv Essentials is an introductory class that is highly recommended for those interested in the musical improv program. Students are introduced to vocal performance, production, projection, and the fundamental concepts of musical improvisation. This class provides a great overview for everyone interested in music, Second City style.

Musical Improv Essentials · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)
Musical Improv Essentials (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

FUNDAMENTALS OF SONGWRITING

Whether you like singing to yourself in the shower or are prepping to write songs for your sketch show, this class is for you! Learn the basics of song structure and music theory through improvisation, creative writing exercises and analysis of classic tunes of all genres. Participants will write and co-write songs for a show at the end of session, to be performed by themselves or pitched to someone else.

Fundamentals of Songwriting · Sundays · 3-6PM (7/7-8/25, NO CLASS 7/28)

IMPROV HIP HOP VOL. 1

Improv hip hop is not easy, but it can be learned. And it’s worth the hard work. The feeling of flawlessly freestyling on a stage as the audience loses its mind is amazing. In this class you’ll learn how to freestyle, rap within improv scenes, cover basics of beatboxing and learn a number of awesome short form games including: Rap Line, Beastie Rap, Pass the Mic and Historical Rap Battle.

Improv Hip Hop Vol. 1 · Wednesdays · 7-10PM (5/29-7/3, NO CLASS 6/5 & 6/19) · Taught by Rich Baker

INTRO TO IMPROV FOR BUSINESS

A one-day crash course in improvisation, this workshop will provide the basics for giving and receiving focus, expanding and heightening an idea, working as an ensemble, and effective listening. This program is built to be effective for those entering the workforce and seasoned leaders alike, while we take the core principals of improv and apply them to effective communication in the workplace.

Intro to Improv for Business · Saturday · 11-6PM (6/8)
Intro to Improv for Business · Saturday · 11-6PM (8/3)
Intro to Improv for Business · Saturday · 11-6PM (10/5)
Intro to Improv for Business · Saturday · 11-6PM (12/7)

REWIREU: THE CORE INTENSIVE

The RewireU program empowers people through improvisation techniques cultivated over 50 years of entertaining a wide range of audiences. We know people! Participants of the RewireU program will learn new tactics for handling conflict, sharing opinions, championing projects, overcoming change and collaborating. RewireU is for individuals or companies who want to rethink how they work.

RewireU: The Core Intensive · Wed and Thurs 9-3pm & Fri 9-12pm · June 26-28
RewireU: The Core Intensive · Wed and Thurs 9-3pm & Fri 9-12pm · August 21-23
RewireU: The Core Intensive · Wed and Thurs 9-3pm & Fri 9-12pm · October 23-25
RewireU: The Core Intensive · Wed and Thurs 9-3pm & Fri 9-12pm · December 11-13

REWIREU: PUBLIC SPEAKING

Bring your best self to your next work presentation or wedding toast! Using targeted improv exercises, this course will help you become more comfortable and confident with public speaking. Focus areas will include how to read the room, adjusting to change in the moment, extemporaneous vs. prepared speech, and wowing a crowd. You will get access to videos of your individual speeches for self-assessment between classes. The result? Heightened awareness to shed those physical and verbal idiosyncrasies that aren’t serving you so you can bring your A-game every time.

RewireU: Public Speaking · Wednesdays · 7-10PM (7/10-7/31)
RewireU: Public Speaking · Wednesdays · 7-10PM (9/9-9/25)
RewireU: Public Speaking · Wednesdays · 7-10PM (11/6-11/27)

Writing Courses:

SECOND CITY SKETCH WRITING 1

Second City Sketch Writing 1 is for any student who is looking to start the journey of writing a Second City-style revue. This class is the foundation for scenic comedy writing, a guide for utilizing an improviser’s skill set for rapid creation, and learning writing refinement. The concepts and tools provided in Sketch 1 are the building blocks for being able to quickly and creatively write to and for a Second City-style revue. Every comedic writer must have the knowledge and skills that are offered in this course. You will then use those skills in our program to cast actors, write a revue, and have a four show run at the end of Sketch Writing 3.

SC Sketch Writing 1 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
SC Sketch Writing 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Thursdays · 2:30-6PM (7/11-8/22)
SC Sketch Writing 1 · Sundays · 12-3:30PM (7/7-8/18)
SC Sketch Writing 1 INT · 11-4:30PM, Monday-Friday (8/19-8/23)

SECOND CITY SKETCH WRITING 2

Second City Sketch Writing 2 provides students with understanding of the different types of scenes found in a Second City-style sketch comedy revue. The lens of the course is focused on the Cast and the Characters. Understanding scenic formulas, writing to cast size, and character point-of-view. Students practice creating simple structures with relatable characters as they learn the building blocks of a sketch revue.

SC Sketch Writing 2 (Off Peak Hours) · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
SC Sketch Writing 2 · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)

SC SKETCH WRITING 3

In Second City Sketch Writing 3, students write a Second City sketch revue with considerations to running order, cast, variety, theme and other aspects investigated in previous writing levels. At the midpoint of this 14-week course, students hold auditions to cast their graduation sketch revue. In addition to completing a final script, students continue revisions throughout the rehearsal process and take on production roles to ensure that the show is mounted efficiently and effectively.

INTRO TO COMEDY WRITING

Low pressure and lots of fun! Beginners explore their comic voice through in-class writing exercises. Learn sketch formatting and story structure while utilizing the Second City core concept of “yes and”. Learn to write comedy just for fun or to ready yourself for our Sketch Program.

Intro to Comedy Writing (Off Peak Hours) · Tuesdays · 11-2:30PM (7/2-8/13)
Intro to Comedy Writing (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

INTRO TO WRITING FOR TV AND FILM

Intro to Writing for TV & Film is for anyone who wants to learn the crucial basics of writing for film and television or anyone with a great idea of a movie who needs help putting it into (properly formatted) words. It gives you a strong foundation for TV and film writing, demystifies the language and process of writing, and gives you the tools to begin turning your great idea into the next Citizen Kane/Troop Beverly Hills (same thing).

You’ll learn about the language of film/TV writing, the importance of deadlines, the unique qualities of a cinematic story versus a sketch, lots of screenplay formatting, how and what to pitch, and the scale of your ideas.

You’ll watch films and TV shows with a critical ear for dialogue and structure, read scripts, learn how to pitch, pitch those great ideas, and create outlines or treatments for that million-dollar sitcom or film idea. Oh, and table reads! Intro to Writing for TV & Film meets once a week for 3.5 hours over a seven week term.

Intro to Writing for TV and Film · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Intro to Writing for TV and Film · Saturdays · 12-3:30PM (7/6-8/17)

CREATING A WEB SERIES

Join us in a 7-week class on creating your very own web series. With the success of web series like Brown Girls or Broad City, creating your own can jump start your career. We will learn about storyline, character development and dialogue, as well as focus on the logistics of shooting. Tell your story while working on skills that you will use the rest of your career. By the final class expect to have a fully fleshed out web series as well as your pilot shot.

Creating a Web Series INT · Mon-Fri · 11-4:30PM (6/24-6/28)
Creating a Web Series · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)
Creating a Web Series (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

WRITING FOR CHILDREN’S ANIMATION LEVEL 1

Ever been told you think or better yet act like a child? Well maybe you should write like one too! In this class we will look at the difference between storyboard driven and script based animation shows. During the class you’ll develop a story springboard, outline and a spec scripts of an existing 11 minute show, all while learning the basic structure of animation writing.

Writing Children’s Animation 1 · Tuesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/2-8/13)

CREATING YOUR PILOT PITCH PACKET

Discover the fundamentals of creating a pilot pitch for an original sitcom. Understand what the market is looking for and how to present your idea and make them laugh in the room. Craft log lines to character breakdowns, a synopsis and future episode ideas. Pitch your ideas; collaborate with classmates to explore and heighten show elements, culminating with your pitch and pitch packet. Please bring a laptop or phone for Internet access. Have 1-3 ideas ready to pitch.

Creating Your Pilot Pitch Packet · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)

WRITE YOUR TV PILOT: FROM IDEA TO DRAFT

Write Your TV Pilot: From Idea to Draft is an immersive class that will get you from idea to draft on your original pilot. Move from development phase, to outline, to draft. Half-hour and hour long pilots are acceptable. New students and experienced students welcome.

Write Your TV Pilot: From Idea to Draft · Saturdays · 12-3:30PM (7/6-10/12)

WRITE YOUR TV PILOT: THE SECOND DRAFT

Congratulations, you’ve got a first draft of your pilot script! But chances are you may also have fatty dialogue, a story problem, or maybe even a whole act that, well, sucks ! Don’t worry, you’ve done the hard work, now the fun begins. In this class you’ll learn how to rewrite your script and create a second draft where each scene progresses the story, character voices are specific and the action lines lean towards poetry.

Requirements: you must have a finished pilot script. You must be willing to read all other students work before class starts and come prepared to do in-class writing. Last day to register is one week before the first class to give students time to read each other’s work before the start of class.

Write Your TV Pilot: The Second Draft · Thursdays · 6:30-10PM (5/30-6/27) · Taught by Brendan Kelly

SITCOM SPEC WRITING LEVEL 1

A spec script is an idea you have for an episode of an existing show (remember how you thought Liz Lemon should marry Pete Hornberger?). Learn sitcom story format, how to match the voice and tone of the show, how to give and take notes, and what the industry is looking for in a good spec. At the end of the class, you’ll have a rough draft.

Sitcom Spec Writing Level 1 · Wednesdays · 6:30-10PM (7/3-8/14)
Sitcom Spec Writing Level 1 (Off Peak Hours) · Saturdays · 3:30-7PM (7/6-8/17)

SITCOM SPEC WRITING LEVEL 2

Students who already have a rough first draft of a spec script will work to bring their script up to a professional level final draft by receiving notes on their rough draft rewriting, honing in on character voices and show tone, and punching up jokes, all while using the classroom as a simulated writers room. The level culminates in a table read of each spec at the Second City Hollywood that students can invite friends family and industry to attend.

**NOTE: First rough draft of a spec must be completed to apply

Sitcom Spec Writing Level 2 · Saturdays · 12-3:30PM (7/6-8/17)

WRITING FOR LATE NIGHT TV AND TALK SHOWS LEVEL 1

Write monologue jokes, desk bits, remote segments, sketch and more for shows like Fallon, Conan, Kimmel, Seth Myers, Colbert, Corden, Oliver, and Ellen. Pitch monologue jokes, brainstorm, explore and heighten material in this collaborative Writer’s Room environment. Create original material to strengthen your writing samples, and produce the elements to put together your pitch packet for a talk show. Please bring a laptop (preferred) or phone for Internet access.

Writing Late Night TV & Talk Shows 1 · Mondays · 6:30-10PM (7/1-8/12)
Writing Late Night TV & Talk Shows INT · Mon-Fri · 11-4:30PM (7/22-7/26)

WRITING FOR LATE NIGHT TV AND TALK SHOWS LEVEL 2

Building on Writing for Late Night and TV Talk Shows Level 1, this class will consist of joke maximizers for monologue jokes, finding the angle for your joke, monologue jokes with visual punchlines, the seven types of desk pieces, writing a rant on a topic like John Oliver, how to write a pitch for a live sketch in studio, writing bumpers (jokes for going in/out for commercial breaks), guest segment extras, Fallon-type games with guests, recurring comic character bits, series of jokes connected by a topic like Fallon’s New iPhone apps, ideas for funny segments like kid inventors, and more submission packet info!

Youth Classes:

2019 HOLLYWOOD & PASADENA COMEDY CAMPS (AGES 8-18)

How fun does a Comedy Camp sound? Spend part of your summer at The Second City in our improv and comedy writing camps. Now in Hollywood & Pasadena! Campers exercise their sense of play through improv games and exercises that are the foundation of The Second City’s unique brand of comedy. Our teachers will work with these young improvisers to help enhance their ability to communicate with others and develop confidence in their own creativity while working as part of an ensemble.

Our comedy camps attract students from all over the world to learn improv, make friends, and perform on our stage! No previous experience is needed. Camps end with a show where the students show off what they’ve learned!

Camps meet Monday through Friday, 9am-3:30pm. Each day students rotate through three subjects:

Improv: An intro to the rules of Improv—saying yes, working together, listening, and having fun.
Sketch Comedy: An intro to the basics of writing sketch comedy scenes.
Musical Improv: Learn to spontaneously put words to music.

Hollywood – Hollywood camps are held at The Second City Hollywood, 6560 Hollywood Boulevard.
Pasadena – Pasadena camps are held at 690 E Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104.

RIDES TO CAMP!
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Mini Summer Camp (ages 6-7) dates:

June 17-21 (ages 6-18) · Mon-Fri 9-12:45pm · $225 (Hollywood)
July 1-3 (ages 6-18)· Mon-Fri 9-12:45pm · $135 (Hollywood)
August 5-9 (ages 6-18)· Mon-Fri 9-12:45pm · $225 (Hollywood)

Summer Camp (ages 8-18) dates:

June 10-14 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood)
June 17-21 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood)
June 24-28 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood & Pasadena)
July 1-3 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $237 (Hollywood)
July 8-12 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood & Pasadena)
July 15-19 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood & Pasadena)
July 22-26 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood)
July 29-Aug 2 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood)
Aug 5-9 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood & Pasadena)
Aug 12-16 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $395 (Hollywood)

Summer Two Week Camp (ages 12-18) dates:

July 8-19 · Mon-Fri 9-3:30pm · $800 (Hollywood)

WEEKEND KIDS & TEEN IMPROV (AGES 4-18)
What kind of kid is yours? Shy kid? Class clown? Smart aleck? Get them into these classes that will feed what they need. They will learn improv exercises and games. No experience needed. Each term is 7 weeks long and designed to be taken several times.

Kids Improv (Ages 4-6) · Saturdays · 10AM-12PM (7/6-8/17)
Kids Improv (Ages 4-6) · Sundays · 10AM-12PM (7/7-8/18)
Kids Improv (Ages 7-9) · Saturdays · 10AM-12PM (7/6-8/17)
Kids Improv (Ages 7-9) · Sundays · 10AM-12PM (7/7-8/18)
Kids & Teen Improv (Ages 10-13) · Sat · 10AM-12PM (7/6-8/17)
Kids & Teen Improv (Ages 10-13) · Sundays · 10AM-12PM (7/7-8/18)
Teen Improv (Ages 14-18) · Saturdays · 10AM-12PM (7/6-8/17)
Teen Improv (Ages 14-18) · Sundays · 10AM-12PM (7/7-8/18)

WEEKDAY KIDS & TEEN IMPROV (AGES 6-18)

These classes are made available for home school kids, but everyone is welcomed!! They meet during the weekday from 11-1pm or 1-3pm. It is a great way to get your kid in our improv program! Are they shy? A class clown? A smart aleck? Improv will satisfy it all! They will learn improv exercises and games. Open to students ages 8-18. No experience needed.

Kids Improv (Ages 6-7) · Tuesdays · 11AM-1PM (6/18-8/20)
Kids Improv (Ages 6-7) · Thursdays · 11AM-1PM (6/20-8/29)
Kids Improv (Ages 8-12) · Tuesdays · 11AM-1PM (6/18-8/20)
Kids Improv (Ages 8-12) · Thursdays · 11AM-1PM (6/20-8/29)
Teen Improv (Ages 13-16) · Tuesdays · 11AM-1PM (6/18-8/20)
Teen Improv (Ages 13-16) · Thursdays · 11AM-1PM (6/20-8/29)
Teen Improv (Ages 17-18) · Tuesdays · 11AM-1PM (6/18-8/20)
Teen Improv (Ages 17-18) · Thursdays · 11AM-1PM (6/20-8/29)

KIDS SKETCH (AGES 10-12)

Kids Sketch is a quick and fun entry into the world of sketch comedy writing. This is an exercise-based class WITH NO GRADES (woohoo!) that is all about generating ideas and exploring point of view while learning some terminology along the way. Homework includes watching TV, Youtube clips and writing your own sketches!!!! Gain enough Experience Points (XP) and you are ready to Level Up. All culminating in a performance for your friends and family.

Kids Sketch (ages 10-12) · Saturdays · 10am-12pm (7/6-8/17)

KIDS STAND-UP (AGES 10-12)

Discover and express your unique comedic voice and develop your personal style as a stand-up comedian. We will focus on generating original material, building stage presence and celebrating your take on the world.

Kids Stand-Up (ages 10-12) · Sundays · 12-2PM (7/7-8/18)

KIDS VOICEOVER (AGES 10-12)

It’s time to expand your acting repertoire and tackle a new type of performance! Come to Second City Hollywood to learn the ins and outs of voice acting. In this seven-week course, you’ll learn to create characters, find your vocal strengths, and enhance your acting ability by utilizing improvisational skills in The Second City style. You’ll be recording both original and provided copy throughout the class, and will leave with mp3 files of your work. You’ll also learn how to properly use and care for your body’s natural instrument–your voice!

Kids Voiceover (ages 10-12) · Saturdays · 12-2PM (7/6-8/17)

TEEN VOICEOVER (AGES 13-18)

Teen Voiceover · Sundays · 10-12pm (7/7-8/18) · Taught by Piper Gillin

ADVANCED IMPROV (AGES 14-18)

This advanced improv class is for students who have taken our Youth and Teen Improv classes and are ready for the next step. This is an audition level course.

Advanced Improv · Tuesdays · 11-1pm (6/18-8/13)
Advanced Improv · Saturdays · 10-12pm (7/6-8/17)

TEEN TROUPE

The Teen Troupe is a seven week class designed for students who would like a deeper exploration of improvisation. The course will build ensemble technique and facility in improvisation. This will be accomplished through both long and short form improv work, culminating in a public presentation at The Second City Studio Theatre. Performances are held each week during the class term. Students are admitted to class by interview/audition only. Class size is limited and we are giving first priority to former students of the Teen Performance classes.

Teen Troupe · Saturdays · 4-7pm (7/6-8/17)

TEEN CONSERVATORY

Play. Improvise. Write. Create. Under the direction of our most seasoned Kid & Teen
Faculty, cast members are selected by audition to join the Teen Conservatory. Students of this program will learn the Second City process of creating a memorable Second City styled comedic revue with original sketches, songs and character monologues in our Studio Theater!

ONLINE CLASSES:

ONLINE SKETCH WRITING 1
Students living away from one of the Second City Training Centers can still study comedy sketch writing! In Online Sketch Writing 1 students receive individual instruction through online correspondence, exploring the fundamentals of character development and theatrical scene structure. Exercises include a variety of comedic genres, from “Simple Yet Impossible Goal” to “Clash of Context” to “Inappropriate Response.” This course is conducted by e-mail and online correspondence with a Writing instructor.

Online Sketch Writing 1 · July 6-August 24 · Taught by Rebekah Walendzak

ONLINE SKETCH WRITING 2
Building on Online Sketch Writing 1, students will continue to learn the universal comedy techniques used in mainstream media as well as focusing on satire, character development and rewriting.

Online Sketch Writing 2 · July 6-August 24 · Taught by Rebekah Walendzak

ONLINE WRITING FOR LATE NIGHT TV AND TALK SHOWS

Online Writing for Late Night TV and Talk Shows · July 13-August 24 · Taught by Holly Wortell

ONLINE WRITING FOR LATE NIGHT TV AND TALK SHOWS 2

Building on Online Writing for Late Night and TV Talk Shows 1, this class will consist of joke maximizers for monologue jokes, finding the angle for your joke, monologue jokes with visual punch lines, bits or mini sketches within a monologue, rants on a topic like John Oliver/Seth Meyers, coming up with extra segments for celebrity guests, recurring segment ideas, Fallon-type games with guests, and Sweeps weeks/big ideas for the shows like Kimmel’s “Wall of America.” Students work together more in this level, and explore and heighten each others ideas in this collaborative writer’s room environment!

Online Writing for Late Night TV and Talk Shows 2 · July 13-August 24 · Taught by Holly Wortell

ONLINE CREATING AND PITCHING YOUR TV SERIES

You’ve been talking about your sitcom idea forever already. Make it happen! Learn what the market is looking for (seriously, what are they looking for?), how to present your idea, and make them laugh in the room. You’ll end this course with an original pitch packet – from log lines to character breakdowns to future episodes.

Online Creating and Pitching Your TV Series · May 26-July 7 · Taught by Dave Colan

ONLINE WRITING THE SITCOM SPEC SCRIPT

According to agents and managers, in order to break into Hollywood, it’s useful to have a spec script, an original pilot, a screenplay (if you’re interested in writing movies), and a short film (maybe a smart-phone movie). In Online Writing the Sitcom Spec Script you will write a solid spec script, a script for an existing comedy on television, so you can learn how to write a TV comedy and have a writing sample.

Online Writing the Sitcom Spec Script · May 12-June 23 · Taught by Kevin Brennan SOLD OUT
Online Writing the Sitcom Spec Script · June 9-July 21 · Taught by Kevin Brennan

ONLINE SATIRICAL SKETCH COMEDY WRITING 1

Learn to turn your opinions into hilarious satirical sketches. In part one of this three part advanced course, you’ll have a safe space to express your opinions, learn how to give them a comic twist and tools that will bring them to life on the page. Prerequisite: Sketch Writing Level 2

Online Satirical Sketch Comedy Writing 1 · July 13-August 3 · Taught by Rebekah Walendzak

ONLINE SATIRICAL SKETCH COMEDY WRITING 2

Political satire is the name of the game in part two of this three-part course. Using parody and clash of context, students will put government, politics, and politicians’ feet to the fire.

Online Satirical Sketch Comedy Writing 2 · May 19-June 9 · Taught by Rebekah Walendzak

STAND-UP 1: JOKE WRITING

Develop yourself as a solo comedic performer by writing and workshopping your own material. By understanding how earlier stand-up comics evolved, students experiment outside their comfort zone and experiment in a variety of styles until discovering their own unique style. Students will be encouraged to perform in local open mics when possible, and upload performance videos to YouTube or Vimeo. They will also be required to provide both supportive and constructive feedback for their fellow students.

Stand-up 101: Joke Writing · June 2-July 21 · Taught by Dan Telfer

ONLINE TEEN SKETCH (AGES 15-18)
Teen Sketch is a quick and fun entry into the world of sketch comedy writing. This is an exercise-based class WITH NO GRADES (woohoo!) that is all about generating ideas and exploring point of view while learning some terminology along the way. Homework includes watching TV, Youtube clips and posting on the Discussion Board. Gain enough Experience Points (XP) and you are ready to Level Up.