Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Student Spotlight Podcast with Kate Cohen and Matthew Van Colton!

Faculty members Kate Cohen and Matthew Van Colton talk with Nancy Fast about their new musical opening in Manhattan and their upcoming Chicago preview! Listen in to find out how the group enjoyed performing in the Training Center’s House Company ‘Infinite Sundaes’ and how far their friendships go back (it will warm your heart). For more information on this podcast, classes, workshops and more, call 312.664.3959 or visit secondcity.com/tc.










More Info on Kate Cohen (Instructor in Improv and Teen/Youth Programs, HouseCo Alum):

Kate Cohen has been improvising in Chicago since 2004 and performs regularly with ComedySportz Chicago, Laugh Out Loud Theater and as one-half of the musical improv duo Kate & Mike: The Musical. Other credits include Chicago Sketchfest, Infinite Sundaes, and ImprovArcadia in Bar Harbor, Maine. Kate performed for The Second City at sea aboard the Norwegian Jewel and Gem and toured Chicago schools with SCTC's Educational Touring Company. Kate is also an instructor for ComedySportz Chicago and has taught improv workshops aboard NCL and for the Chicago Jewish Community Centers. Kate has a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Arizona and is a graduate of The Second City Training Center's IFA, Conservatory and Musical Improv Conservatory programs.

More Info on Matthew Van Colton (Instructor in Music Program, HouseCo Alum):
Matthew Van Colton is a Chicago-based director, teacher and performer. Beyond Second City, he has worked with Chicago Dramatists, Northlight, Annoyance, Playground, Victory Gardens, iO and TUTA theatres among many others. In addition to the Music Conservatory, he has most recently taught or coached for Evanston Township High School, Acting Studio Chicago, Happy Karaoke Fun Time and Clown Car to Sicily. Most recently, he directed for Citizen’s Relief Theatre Company and for Vampeero Productions. He is a member of Infinite Sundaes, and Mansical (www.mansical.net), of which he is one of the founders. He is a member of Actor’s Equity.

More Info on ‘One Night Only’:
Chicago-style Improv is hitting Manhattan September 11-15 with the musical One-Night Only as part of the 2012 Araca Project. Faculty members Kate Cohen, Michael Girts and Matthew Van Colton will be joined by student alumi Katie Dufresne, Nicole Hastings, and Kevin Sciretta in the cast.

How This Happened:
In April of 2012, a group of Chicago improvisers flew to New York and pitched an idea for a new musical to The Araca Group (Wicked, Urinetown). The cast made up a musical right there on the spot for Broadway producers in the middle of their conference room. A week later, One Night Only was selected to appear Off-Broadway as part of the 2012 Araca Project.

How You Can Help:
By making a tax-deductible contribution to Men One Night Only, you can help the cast and artistic team travel to New York City and make this Off-Broadway production a reality. Please visit Indiegogo.com/onenightonlynyc and donate today.


Who The Araca Project Is:

The Araca Project is an initiative of The Araca Group, a Broadway production company responsible for Wicked, Urinetown, Rock of Ages and many other hit musicals. Mike Girts, our producer, submitted an improvised musical for consideration back in April and a group of us flew to NYC to pitch the show to the Araca producers, improvising a 20-minute musical in their conference room. About a week later, we were selected to participate in the project.

The Second City Training Center is currently enrolling students in Improv, Acting, Comedy Writing, Stand-up, Clowning, Tv/Film Writing and more for Term 5. Call 312.664.959 for more details!

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