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Thứ Năm, 25 tháng 4, 2019

Second City Chicago Improv Classes And Programs

By Ruth Carter


When it comes improvisational art, comedy and music, some of the most amazing actors, artists and comedians are included in this genre. While this is the case, when it comes to Chicago Improv Classes most are either related to comedy or acting. Whereas, Second City is often considered the best enterprise for learning improv in Chicago.

With an extremely talented and well known group of actors and comedians, the outlet is known for producing the first ever ongoing improvisational acting troupe. While based in Chicago, the enterprise now has training programs in Los Angeles, Toronto and of course, Chicago. Second City was founded and opened on December 16, 1959 and has become one of the most respected, prolific and influential theatres focusing on comedy not only in the United States but the world.

With producing such comedy television shows as SCTV, Second City Presents and Next Comedy Legend, the theater and troupe now have a rather large following. In addition, there are a number of well known comedians and actors, directors and others which have been cast members or students at Second City. These actors, comedians and students include, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Del Close, Nia Vardalos, Catherine O'Hara, Ryan Styles, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Steve Carrel and Stephen Colbert.

The Chicago school and theater is currently located at 1616 North Wells Street. The troupe's name comes from an article related to A. J. Liebling in the New Yorker Magazine in 1952. A name which was chosen as a self-mocking tribute to those whom started the theater.

The first group of students gathered in 1955 at The Compass bar. The first group of students included Paul Sills and Bernard Sahlins who began a commedia del arte based program instructed by Viola Spolin, the mother of Sills. Once more and more students showed interest in the games and direction of Spolin, the group began training more and more actors and comedians. Then, once having becoming well known, began setting up official training centers.

Shortly after the first set of classes ended, the group began hosting occasional performances in Chicago. Then, the first Second City show premiered at 1842 North Wells with Sill's with Barbara Harris, Sill's ex wife and Compass Player singing Everybody's in the Know. The admission for that first show, one dollar and fifty cents.

Soon the theater would become active as a place where improvisational stories and scenes were created, using methods and techniques which were taught by Spolin. The teachings later became known as Theater Games, a class produced and directed by Sills.

Most recently, Second City, along with training centers and theaters began producing sketch and improvisational shows for Norwegian Cruise Lines up until 2017. Whereas, throughout the 2000s, the troupe launched productions in local theaters around the country. Now with many actors moving on to Hollywood and Broadway, Second City is extending a warm welcome to new students interested in attending training at any one of the three training centers in the country.




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