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Welcome, New Student!

Thank you for choosing to study with The Second City Training Center.

Take our new student quiz to find the perfect class for your personality and interests.

Recommended Classes for Beginners

We’ve got classes for all ages. Try one of our classes at the legendary Second City Training Center. Sessions start every few months and fill up quickly, so book your spot today!

Improv 1

Improv 1 introduces students to the fundamental concept of “Yes, And” in improvisation. Through group exercises and games, students will explore impulse & spontaneity, listening, being present in the moment, taking risks, finding agreement (making & accepting offers) and other basic building blocks of improvisation, all in a supportive environment that embraces the idea of trusting yourself and failing joyfully.
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Good for: Improv

Writing 1

Writing 1 is for any student who is looking to start the journey of writing to and for 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 Writing 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.
Writing 1 teaches students how to write comedic scenes that could be found in a Second City-style revue by exploring different scenic set-ups, character dialogue, genres and point-of-view. Students use improv as a tool for character and dialogue generation.
Writing 1 class time includes a combination of solo exercises and collaborative exercises to build skills in brainstorming, comedic structure and character development. Students also gain a Second City perspective on theatrical writing – including observation, idea generation, dialogue, and character creation. Feedback focuses on ‘what works’ in terms of the structural building blocks. Class time is active, positive and encouraging. Students practice concepts through a series of weekly homework assignments.
Any student interested in creating Second City-style comedic writing or interested in extending their improvisation abilities and experiences into writing should take Writing 1.
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Good for: Writing

Acting 1

Whether you’re interesed in acting or improvisation, we know that one of the keys to success is being present, connected, and grounded in the emotional reality of the moment. In a Second City mainstage revue, the comedy doesn’t just come from the written scenes, the jokes & the premises… the truly deep audience laughs that people remember for years come from great performances.
In our first level, we’ll help you immerse yourself in improv exercises designed to broaden your emotional range. You’ll discover how emotionally committing to a scene can help engage the audience, leading to truly memorable performances.
We’ll also explore recognizable human behavior, an essential asset for comedic actors, and start working with neutral scenes that can help you explore the dramatic side of comedy. We’ll touch on the work of Viola Spolin and Sanford Meisner as we explore established techniques in this level.
Our curriculum focuses on improvisation to help you master these skills, and we recommend students take at least one 7-week improv course before joining this class to get the most out of the experience. At the end of this level, you will be prepared to do a cold read at a mock audition using what you have learned.
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Good for: Acting

Improv for Anxiety 1

A 7 week intro to the Art of Improvisation and how it can offer tools to deal with your social anxiety.
This innovative class uses ensemble-based improv to help people with social anxiety disorder overcome fear and avoidance associated with work, school, and family life. A Second City Training Centre instructor will lead the class through a series of improv exercises that are specifically chosen to help students focus on the present and step outside of their comfort zones. In a safe and nurturing environment, participants will be introduced to a number of tools they can use to manage feelings of stress and anxiety.
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Good for: Improv

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