Help Us Write a Show about Chicago

The Second City is writing a new show all about the history of Chicago and we need you to help us write it! Beginning Saturday, September 17th, 2011, at 2:00pm, through Sunday, October 2nd, Second City Theatricals presents The Second City's History of Chicago: Live and Under Construction at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St).

The Second City is creating a new revue that lauds and lampoons the greatest city on earth: Chicago. In addition to drawing on 52 years of fantastic archival material, our cast will be working with the folks at the Chicago History Museum to develop new scenes that celebrate the best and – often – most infamous parts of our cities present and past.

Each performance will include classic scenes from The Second City's storied past. Additionally, audience members will be asked to provide ideas and input into what has to be a part of a show about Chicago. The finished show will debut in December at our new venue - The UP Comedy Club.

Tickets for The Second City's History of Chicago: Live and Under Construction are available by phone at 312-642-4600 or online at www.chicagohistory.org. Tickets are $15.00 and the show schedule is as follows:

Saturday,	9/17 2:00pm
Sunday,	9/18 2:00pm
Thursday,	9/22 7:30pm
Friday,	9/23 7:30pm
Sunday,	9/25 2:00pm
Thursday,	9/29 7:30pm
Friday,	9/30 7:30pm
Sunday,	10/2 2:00pm

"Second City Spoofs Baltimore to Hilariously Accurate Effect"

The Second City: Charmed and Dangerous just opened in Baltimore, and the critics were thrilled at how well our writers were able to unlock the comedy in Baltimore. Tim Sniffen, a writer/performer in the show, spoke with Baltimore Fishbowl and gave them some insight into how the writing process worked. Read his interview in The Baltimore Fishbowl.

SC Touring Company Alumn and LA Faculty Member featured on Two and A Half Men

Our own Monika Smith is heading to CBS' Two and Half Men. The former prankster on MTV's Disaster Date is scheduled to guest star on the Oct. 24 episode as Kiki, a girl Walden (Ashton Kutcher) and Alan (Jon Cryer) meet at a bar. Monika is a teacher in our Hollywood training center where she assisted in the development of our Long Form program and currently teaches in our Improv, Conservatory and Long Form levels.

Check out the announcement in The Hollywood Reporter.

Congratulations Monika!

Comedy Desk: E-book Influence Speaks Volumes

Click to enlarge the latest Second City Comedy Desk from the Chicago Tribune

Nora Dunn Visits with Second City Students

Today, students of The Second City Training Center and Comedy Studies Program had the opportunity to attend and participate in an exclusive hour long Q&A session with Nora Dunn. An alum of Saturday Night Live, Nora Dunn is currently performing in Broadway in Chicago's Love, Loss & What I Wore through December 4th at the Broadway Playhouse. Click here for more information and ticket information.

Click here for more information about our Training Center.

"Love Lift Them Up Where They Belong" a Benefit for Judy Fabjance

On September 21, the Second City Training Center in Chicago will be holding a benefit for Judy Fabjance, one of our long time faculty members and an inspiration to all our employees, students, and friends.

"Love Lift Them Up Where They Belong" will include improv, sketch, music, and fun all around. There will also be a silent auction. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit Judy's medical costs. For more information, click here.

Second City gets Mile High Rave for Denver production of "Love, Sex and The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy"

Our production of Love, Sex, and The Second City got a rave review from Westword. Read Not for the faint of heart: Second City delivers a romantic comedy for the iPhone age.

The show runs through October 9 at the Garner Galleria Theatre of the Denver.

Social Media Week – Join Us for Improvised Innovation: The Chicago Tribune and The Second City – Sept. 20

Join us for a free Social Media Week event on September 20th – "The Improvised Innovation: The Chicago Tribune and The Second City."

A 150 plus year old powerhouse newspaper and a 50 plus year old legendary comedy institution wouldn't seem to have much in common, but a closer look at the two companies and their unique partnership provide a fascinating look at how the landscape of new media has fostered unprecedented collaborations and innovation.

The Second City has developed an improvisational methodology to create short form content and has applied this expertise to web-based entertainment properties and has integrated social media into its live stage productions. Further, Second City Communications – Second City's corporate solutions division – has developed a slew of branded entertainment vehicles that have blended improvisation, social media applications and customized content in unique and provocative ways.

RSVP here

Second City Returns to Baltimore for Charmed & Dangerous

We are thrilled to return to CENTERSTAGE Theater in Baltimore for Charmed and Dangerous, an all new, customized show created just for Baltimore running September 15 – October 16. Tickets are on sale now including VIP tickets to a special Opening Night Event with the cast. Click here for more information or call their box office at 410.332.0033

Training Center Chicago Q&A with Nora Dunn for Training Center Students

Actress Nora Dunn will be visiting the Training Center on Tuesday, September 20 at 2pm for a free Q&A session for Training Center students. Nora is best known for her performances over five seasons on Saturday Night Live and three seasons on NBC's Sisters. Nora is currently appearing in Love, Loss, and What I Wore at the Broadway Playhouse Water Tower place running through October 23.

This event is free to current and former Second City students; non-students of The Second City Training Center can pay the $15 student membership fee to attend.

Read more about the Q&A

New "TC SPOTLIGHT" Posted!

September 13th, 2011 - Performance - 'Infinite Sundaes' Cast Member Spotlight!

Join host Nancy Fast as she talks with Lisa Burton, cast member of the Training Center’s Musical House Ensemble "Infinite Sundaes." Nancy and Lisa talk classes, shows, and power animals!

To listen to this podcast and all others, please visit our TC Spotlights page!

Tim O'Malley's Phantasmagorical 3 Ring Comedy Side Show Circus

The Beverly Arts Center Presents

Tim O'Malley's Phantasmagorical 3 Ring Comedy Side Show Circus

The Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Saturday Sept 24th at 8pm Tickets $20 and 18 for BAC Members call 773-445-3838 or online at www.beverlyartcenter.org
Chicago comedian and playwright Tim O'Malley will emcee a great night of comedy variety. The show includes the comedy sketch troupe: "Shoelace Academy", "Clowning to Infinity" Clowns, and "RK47" Improv Comedy Duo.

Show Bio's
Emcee Tim O'Malley, is a Beverly native, and alum of the Second City Chicago where he wrote and performed in five original revues on the main-stage in the 90s. His original play "Godshow" ran for four years to sold out audiences, including two at the BAC, and he recently finished his second play "9210 South Winchester"He can be seen in the films "Return to Me," "Bad Meat," "Shift" and "Black Days."

Sketch Comedy:
Shoelace Academy has performed at Donny's Skybox, the Underground Lounge and more. They recently placed third in the Gorilla Tango improvisation competition. Team members have trained at the Second City Conservatory, iO, the Annoyance Theater and more. The Shoelace Academy cast is: Warren Arnold, Patrick De Nicola, Ariel Dumas, Diane Harvey, Zach Hislip, Sam Martin, Vanessa Menton, Kevin Nickolai, Ilana Plen, Jenny Sherman, Jessie Stegner and Maureen Winston.

The Clowns:
"Clowning to Infinity" have been clowning together since the spring of 2010. They have performed at the Second City Training Center. They are happy to bring you delight and joy. They believe pies are for throwing, not eating.

Improv Comedy Duo
"RK47" is the improv duo of Karisa Bruin and Ryan Heywood. Having performed together for 4 years. They have performed in improv festivals in New York City, Chicago and Kalamazoo. They believe in emotional truths on stage and the organic creation of characters. Karisa can also be seen in her other improv projects: ButchMax, Counter Productive Lover and KC Redheart. Ryan's other projects include Burrito Wilson and was recently seen in Artistic Home Theatre's production of Marisol.

Student Spotlight - Lisa Burton

September 13th, 2011 - Performance - 'Infinite Sundaes' Cast Member Spotlight!
Join host Nancy Fast as she talks with Lisa Burton, cast member of the Training Center’s Musical House Ensemble “Infinite Sundaes”. Nancy and Lisa talk classes, shows, and power animals!

Second City Heads Back to Denver

Second City is headed back to Denver with Love, Sex & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy at the Galleria Theater at Denver Center for the Performing Arts from September 13 – October 9. Featuring Angela Dawe, Ed Kross, Amy Roeder and Zach Muhn, Love, Sex & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy is an all new play about relationships in the age of social networking. Tickets are now on sale at www.denvercenter.org.

Join Us for the Wells St. Fall Festival – Sept 10-11

If you're coming to a show or class this weekend, add some extra time to check out the Wells St. Fall Fest on Saturday, September 10 – Sunday, September 11 on N. Wells St. between North Ave and Schiller to enjoy great music, fantastic art, local cuisine and more. Parking will be tight, so take public transportation or a taxi, if you can. For more information about the festival and a complete entertainment schedule, click here.

Toronto Training Centre Open House October 1st!

We're opening our doors for FREE workshops, shows, prizes, food and more!

Have you always wanted to try improv, writing or stand up? Have you ever walked by 70 Peter Street and wondered "What's in the basement of that office building?" Well now you can find out!

We have classes for:
Adults (Improv, Writing, Stand Up, Conservatory, Singing)
Youth & Teens (Winter, March Break & Summer Camps, weekly improv classes, bi-weekly performances in The John Candy Box)
Shows: Every night of the week!

Every 15 minutes there is a show, drop in class, or prize giveaways!

No preregistration required!

There is lots for current students too! Try our Writing for TV class, or our Stand Up Drop In. If you are a current student, bring a friend! If they sign up for a class on Open House Day, you get $25 off your next class!

We'll also be unveiling our NEW merchandise!

See you October 1st!!

Planned Parenthood Posts "Birth Control Ninja"

Everyone loves the Birth Control Ninja – including Planned Parenthood! Yesterday, Planned Parenthood posted a link to Birth Control Ninja from their Facebook page.

Time Out Chicago Features UP

Jason Heidemann from Time Out Chicago takes a tour and sits down with Diana Martinez to talk about our new comedy club, UP, as part of their Fall Preview Issue. Click here to read the story.

Q&A With Colin Quinn For Training Center Students!

Free to current and former Second City students; Non-students of The Second City must pay $15 student membership fee to attend.

Thursday, September 8

1-2pm, Donny's Skybox Theater

More info can be found HERE

Another great review for Toronto's "Dreams Really Do Come True (and other lies)"

Read this recent review from The Globe and Mail, which include highlights like:

"With Dreams Really Do Come True!, a stream of sharp funny presented by a charismatic cast, most all reasonable wishes are granted."

Read the full review