Attend an Advanced Screening of Horrible Bosses – Click Here!

Attend an advanced screening of Horrible Bosses starring alum Jason Sudeikis as well as Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx.

HORRIBLE BOSSES
Tuesday, July 5
7:00pm
AMC River East
322 E. Illinois
Chicago, IL

Click here for tickets. Tickets are limited! Reserve your tickets ASAP.

Keegan-Michael Key on Comedy Central

Second City alum Keegan-Michael Key's as-yet-untitled series with Jordan Peele has been picked up by Comedy Central for 2012. Starring the duo, the show's format will be a variety of shorts and sketches. Stay tuned to Comedy Central's blog for updates and details.

Second City's Walking Tour Featured in RedEye

The Second City Walking Tour had a great feature in today's RedEye Chicago Neighborhood Blog. Click here to learn more about the tour and our Writer & Guide, Margaret Hicks.

In addition to The Second City Walking Tour and her tour company, Chicago Elevated, Margaret Hicks is also the author of Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious History.

Student Spotlight - Jessica Antes

June 23rd, 2011 - Student - Jessica Antes
This Week's Student In The Spotlight is Jessica Antes! Click here to listen to her interview with Student Service Coordinator, Nancy Fast.

Are you a current student and want to recommend a fellow classmate? Email Andrew Thorp at athorp@secondcity.com and tell us who you think should be spotlighted and why!

Click the following play button to hear her interview with Nancy Fast

Send Your Kids to Second City Fantasy Camp – August 1 – 4

This summer, we're excited to bring our summer camp to Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas! For 5 day/4 nights, we're training 11 – 14 in the art of improvisation and helping them to write an original show that's all their own. The Second City Fantasy Camp includes all training & instruction from Second City teachers, lunch for 3 days and an amenity package. Click here for complete details.

Jeff Garlin @ Steppenwolf – July 13 – 24

Jeff Garlin returns to Chicago this summer for a special engagement at Steppenwolf's intimate Upstairs Theatre with No Sugar Tonight, a hilarious, and ever-changing, night of stand-up comedy. No Sugar Tonight explores Jeff's addiction to sugar and how, as far as he's concerned, it might as well have been heroin. Garlin hits the Steppenwolf stage just days after his hit comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm kicks off its eighth season on HBO. Click here to reserve tickets and for more information.

Student Spotlight!

This Week's Student In The Spotlight is Jessica Antes! Click here to listen to her interview with Student Service Coordinator, Nancy Fast.

Are you a current student and want to recommend a fellow classmate? Email Andrew Thorp at athorp@secondcity.com and tell us who you think should be spotlighted and why!

Listen to the interview!

Former Comedy Studies student makes TV appearance

One of our former Comedy Studies students, Jamie Burns, made a tv appearance last weekend on the Suze Orman Show. As usual Suze gave good advice about following your dreams, which is true no matter what your age.

Check out the video at cnbc.com

Scott Goldstein Debuts on Jeopardy!

Second City Touring Company Director, Scott Goldstein, debuts on Jeopardy! this afternoon. Check out his promo. Break a leg, Scott!

Onstage with The Second City @ Long Wharf Theatre

Last night, Chris Velardi from Channel 8 News in New Haven, joined the members of The Second City Touring Company for their improv set after the show at Long Wharf Theatre. Describing it as "so much fun and over too fast," Chris blogged about his experience with the cast.

The Second City Touring Company performs at The Long Wharf Theatre Company through July 19. Click here to reserve tickets and for more information.

Second City Network Short Wins CANAL + Award in Paris

The short film, "Competition in the Work Place" was recently honored with the CANAL + Award at the Festival International des Tres Courts. This International Film Festival is an event without borders, with screenings held during three days simultaneously in seventy cities in France and fifteen other countries. The flagship of the festival is the international competition, representing the best of the global audiovisual production of the year.

"Competition in the Work Place" was directed by Joshua Funk, stars Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele, was produced by Mark Kienlen and was crewed by Mike Damanskis.

List of Award Winners and more information on the festival

Second City Honored with "Visionary Award" from the Los Angeles Youth Network

In December of 2010, Second City Hollywood hosted The Second City That Never Sleeps, 24 Hours of Improvisation whose proceeds benefited The Los Angeles Youth Network and raised thousands of dollars for a great cause. The amazing improvisers who performed for 24 hours straight are, Andy Cobb, Maribeth Monroe, Brian Shortall, Alex Backes, Monika Smith, Jaime Moyer and Keith Reay and the delightful team who put the event together are Andy Cobb, Carrie-ann Pishnak, Jen Hoyt, Marc Warzecha and Joshua Funk along with numerous interns and volunteers.

This June, LAYN honored Second City Hollywood with the Visionary Award for "outstanding efforts" during their Gala held at Taglyan Place in Hollywood. The Second City was honored alongside Slash & Perla Hudson and the event was co-hosted by George Lopez and our very own Andy Cobb.

Los Angeles Youth Network offers emergency, transitional and long term shelter to homeless, runaway and foster youth ages 12-21. In addition to providing the basic necessities of shelter and food, their comprehensive programs supply teens with essential counseling services, life skills education, and tutoring. They are determined to transition our youth to safer places by facilitating their return home, assisting with placement in foster/group homes, teaching independent living skills and providing invaluable resources necessary to live independently.

LAYN's mission is to empower abused, neglected and homeless adolescents to become self-sufficient. They do this by providing street outreach, food, emergency shelter, transitional living apartments and educational enrichment programs in a safe and nurturing environment.

Margot's Pie Wins LA Improv Festival Sketch Championship

Congratulations to the current Second City Hollywood, Conservatory Level 5 show, Margot's Pie: Made from Sketch, which has just won the title of SKETCH CHAMPIONS during the LA Improv Festival! Second City Hollywood is extremely proud of this fine ensemble who has worked tirelessly, along with their dynamic director and Second City Alumnus Jaime Moyer, to create this fresh and clever show. Margot's Pie is still running at the Second City Studio Theatre in Hollywood on June 19th & 26th at 8pm and July 28th & August 25th at 9pm. Come support our CHAMPIONS!

Margot's Pie: Made from Sketch
Delicious. Nutritious. Not approved by the FDA. Starring: Dario Konicia, Kevin S. Ocampo, Kendall C. Burdett, Margot Major, Chris Morcom, Scott Schiff, Julian Clark, Caitlin Howe, Nicole Odell, Hep Jamieson, Amanda Lazar, Josh Banday. Directed by Jaime Moyer. Musical direction by Michael Pollock.

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Tickets to shows

We’re Coming to You, Western Suburbs - Join Us at The Montrose Room!

We're headed back to the Western Suburbs this weekend for a show at The Montrose Room at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare. Check out The Second City Touring Company's Fair & Unbalanced on Saturday, June 11 at 9:00pm. Click here to reserve your tickets and for more info.

Student Spolitght: Stacey Smith!

Each week, The Second City Training Center shines the spotlight on a current student to find out more about their greatness! Students in the Spotlight are chosen after they have been submitted by fellow students. This week, we talk with Stacey Smith!

Who are you and what do you do?

Stacey Smith. I’m a full-time Nanny.

Where are you from?

Patchogue aka Long Island, New York

Why did you start taking classes with The Second City?

I used to work at a theater on my college campus, and my boss handed me a brochure and recommended that I would at least try and take a week intensive. And so, during my senior year of college, in the bitter cold winter – I did just that.

What do you like most about the class you are taking this term?

I’m currently in the Music Conservatory final level (5), and this class and program in general is so unique because it’s literally the only program that you are with the same people for over a year building and performing with. So the bond with my classmates is just beyond incredible.

Who is your current instructor?

Jeff Bouthiette / Rebekah Walendzak

Who are some of your past instructors?

Second City: F. Tyler Burnet, Nancy Beckett, Matt Hovde, Tom Flanigan, Dean Evans, Michael Pieper, Michael Gellman, Mike Descoteaux, Steph McCullough, Matt Colton, John Wagner, Andrew Ritter, Erica Elam.

How has your experience here helped outside of the classroom?

I have created my one-woman show, “Confessions of a Chubby Tomboy.” I literally would have never known how to improvise to create material if it weren’t for Second City. Using the guidelines taught in my improv classes, the beat work in my acting class, the clowning in my clowning class, the satire in song – I’ve been fortunate enough to use everything.

A one-woman show! That’s awesome! How do you go about rehearsing for that?

Doing a one woman show is literally the best choice I’ve ever made. I do have a director, and we have both writing meetings where I’ll improvise through characters and premises and also rehearsals where we will rent out a space and try out new material. I could talk about it for hours if you wanna know more!!

What’s your favorite book?

“I like you: Hospitality Under the Influence” Amy Sedaris

What is your favorite band?

Well, singer/band-ish: Ben Kweller

If you were stuck on an island with one Second City alum, who would it be and why?

Amy Sedaris. Not only does she crack my “stuff” up, but she’s crafty and smart. To me, she is one of the most intriguing people in the world. Plus, she makes hysterical faces.

What’s the funniest thing someone did in your class?

I literally find myself laughing at everything. Super hard question.

Who is your favorite Second City related comedian presently?

Okay, not nice. This is almost impossible to answer. Although many of the greats are on primetime television, the talent on these resident stages is unreal. I would feel guilty picking just one, especially being in a place where group work is the main focus.

What do you love most about Chicago?

The friendly atmosphere, the pace, and the abundance of parks.

What do you hate most about Chicago?

Cubs traffic.

Any shows you are in or would like to plug?

I play every Monday night 9PM at Mullen’s Upstairs with FrankenReagan. I’m playing with my musical improv team “Slow Clap” Friday, June 24th at Midnight at iO. My Harold team has their first show July 18th at 10:30PM in the DCT. I also play randomly with a bunch of independent teams, and I am currently touring my one-woman show. So checking out my website is a really neat idea. www.staceyelisabeth.com

How is improvising at a bar?

playing at Mullen’s is always different. The cool thing about it is that it’s free and in a prime location. The audience usually consists of the players on the other teams, plus their friends. We don’t normally get a ton of outsiders, but with Cubs games, we get an occasional surprise. You definitely have to play hard and fast in a bar atmosphere. Super slow organic playing usually doesn’t work. Sometimes there’s people talking and sometimes workers are making a lot of noise, so there’s definitely cons to playing at a bar, however – it’s a weekly opportunity to try new things and meet new teams and get crazy.

Do you know a student who deserves some time in the spotlight? Contact Andrew Thorp at athorp@secondcity.com

Chicago Live! Wraps Season with Blues Preview

This Thursday, June 9, Chicago Live! wraps their third season with a preview of the Chicago Blues Festival. Guests and performers include:

• Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records
• Live blues performances by Billy Branch, Eddy Clearwater, Shemekia Copeland and Fernando Jones.
• Rick Kogan's almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

Chicago Live! is recorded in front of a live studio audience at 6:30pm Thursdays at the Chicago Theatre's Downstairs Stage. After each show, the audience is invited to a 30-minute reception with the cast, crew and guests.

Tickets for the show are $20.
- Purchase online through Ticketmaster.com.
- Purchase on the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
- Purchase in person at the Chicago Theatre box office:

The Chicago Theatre (map)
175 N State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601

Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available. For more information, call 312-462-6301

Need Tickets? Added Show on Tuesday Now on Sale

A little late booking your tickets for Tuesday? No worries – we just added an 8:00pm performance of The Absolute Best Friggin' Time of Your Life on The Second City e.t.c.. Click here to book your tickets.

Congratulations to alum Molly Erdman for being named to Time Magazine's Best Blogs of 2011!

Congratulations to alum Molly Erdman! Her hysterical blog, Catalog Living, has been listed by Time Magazine as one of the Best Blogs of 2011.

Second City Network Featured on PlaceVine Blog

PlaceVine is a service for YouTube content creators, so they see a lot of YouTube content. They took the time to write about the Second City Network, and how much they love it.

See what PlaceVine had to say on their blog.

Second City Network Featured in New York Times

The Second City Network was recently featured in The New York Times. In an article about online short form content, reporter Mike Hale wrote, "In this overgrown landscape, it might seem as if there wouldn't be space for an institution as venerable as the five-decade-old Second City. But the troupe, which long ago expanded from the stage into television and film, hasn't budged. Last year it took the fight to the Internet, establishing its own YouTube channel and then a dedicated website, both labeled the Second City Network."

In addition to highlighting the network's Sassy Gay Friend series, he also states, "Worth checking out are Danielle Uhlarik's "Advice for Young Girls" episodes, fairy-tale rules for living delivered from the perspectives of the Little Mermaid ("Never be comfortable in the body that you're given"), Belle of "Beauty and the Beast" ("You don't need to have fancy people friends, things around your house can be your friends") and Snow White ("If you're wandering alone, you should walk into the first house that looks open")."

Additionally, he mentions, "Second City is not alone among long-lived, nationally known sketch troupes with YouTube channels. Videos from the Upright Citizens Brigade can be found under UCBComedy; the Brigade has had its channel since 2007, but trails Second City in subscribers, 76,000 to 27,000, and in total views, 31 million to 23 million. (The brigade's views are bolstered by the popularity of its oil-spill satire "BP Spills Coffee," which has nearly 12 million views on its own.) The IFC television network's channel includes videos by the Whitest Kids U Know."

Take a look at our latest videos on The Second City Network

Comedy Desk: E-read all about it

Click to enlarge the latest Second City Comedy Desk by Seth Weitberg in the Chicago Tribune

Chicago Live! Features Music & Lit This Thursday

This week's installment of Chicago Live! spotlights some of Chicago's great music and literary happenings. Guests for this Thursday's line-up include:

• Members of Chicago Children's Choir with Artistic Director Josephine Lee
• Jazz-vocal-guitar duo Petra van Nuis and Andy Brown
• Sean Benjamin and Steve Mosqueda of Drinking and Writing
• A preview of Printers Row Lit Fest with authors Kelly O'Connor McNees and Marcus Sakey
• Rick Kogan's almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

Chicago Live! begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Chicago Theatre's Downstairs Stage. After each show, the audience is invited to a 30-minute reception with the cast, crew and guests.

Tickets for the show are $20.

- Purchase online through Ticketmaster.com.
- Purchase on the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
- Purchase in person at the Chicago Theatre box office:

The Chicago Theatre (map)
175 N State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601