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The Second City Training Center
Rating Details »
Category: Arts & Entertainment [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park1608 N Wells St
(between Concord Ln & North Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 664-3959
- Nearest Transit:
-
Sedgwick (Purple Express, Brown)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
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10 reviews for The Second City Training Center
I completed the 5 part yearlong improv program about 3 years ago. Most of us had little to no previous improv experience and the teachers did a great job of creating a space where people felt safe playing and being silly. My class was very supportive of one another, a sentiment I've heard echoed by others who have taken classes here.
In the third level and beyond there is a final performance on the Second City Mainstage! (granted it's in the afternoon and the audience is 90% friends/family, but nonetheless it's the same stage used at one point or another by most of your comedy idols).
They also offer programs for kids/teens and specialty classes focused on other areas of improv performance (musical improv, object work).
Great time for a great price.
Have nothing to do on a Thursday?? Try this place out! We just arrived to Chicago earlier in the day and tried to get tickets to watch a show at The Second City...but they were all sold out but the lady on the phone said that there is The Second City Training Center and there are still tickets available, so we bought two over the phone for $11 a ticket! Sweet price.
We actually went to the wrong Second City, the training center is located inside the little complex with the movie theatre.
The goods:
-they have beer/wine
-they have funny people
-you'll have a good time for just $11 (Price of a movie ticket nowadays)
It's not an easy thing to make people laugh and especially when doing improv, so I respect comedians, I know I couldn't do it. There are two acts, after intermission the second act were two guys who called themselves "a good idea in theory" ... they were HILARIOUS!! Especially the skit with Harry Potter!! I loved them.
If you get a chance and your on a budget, this place is fantastic!
Perfect entertainment for locals and out of town guests. The comedy was timely and nonstop. I was in the first row and was nervous the whole show I was going to be used in the show like my wife. Drinks were cheap. A little too much HATERade on republicans but I can deal.
I came here last week to see a friend's comedy show and really enjoyed myself. $5 got me almost three hours of short takes, songs, and dances that rolled quickly enough to keep me laughing. Great show, guys! My only issues were that it was a little hard to see the way the chairs were arranged, and the theater itself was chilly.
I took the Improv programs here 2 years ago. I loved everything about Second City. How can you not get goosebumps when you enter those classes knowing the greatness that has been there before you? The first time you get to perform on the mainstage is beyond amazing. Photos, writings and drawings on the wall backstage from Belushi and Gilda (and all the others I will not even begin to name because we will be here for an eternity.)
The instructors are wonderful- extremely supportive and ridiculously funny. You will meet your second family here no doubt. I've had endless amounts of random fun within the walls of those classrooms and it was one of the best experiences of my 28 years on this planet.
I urge everyone to take the beginning imporv classes- even just one. Regardless of your profession or demeanor, this will bring out a side of you that you never knew was there. You learn to think quickly on your feet and not to second guess yourself. As an added bonus, it makes public speaking for your normal job a breeze.
Second City rocks.
This is open to anyone and everyone who has an interest in comedy.
I personally am an actor that chose to try out some improv and they set me up in the right program for my level or performance experience with the improv for actors series of classes and I felt it was totally worth my time.
I think that you should be able to pick your teachers and not just get them assigned to you depending on your time, because at iO you can choose and I think part of what makes or breaks your experience is the teachers you have and its not always fair for you to get stuck with someone who may or may not have the same ideas and aspirations for comedy and you do.
I recommend going to see shows through the training center, because they are relatively inexpensive, and these are the up and coming comedians of our time. So go and support them!
I really enjoyed my Intro to Comedy Writing class, which is the first step in the Introductory Writing Program.
When you enter the training center, you feel like the spirits of Second City alumni are with you. You feel like you're part of something much bigger and funnier than yourself. But beware! Second City's Training Center is no Schwab's Drugstore. There's a disclaimer on the training center's FAQ website that says "Enrolling at the Training Center does not guarantee a job at Second City."
Plus, if you're looking for fame and fortune, you should have tried your hand at being accepted to the conservatory.
I have two beefs with the training center: First, my particular instructor neither gave very constructive feedback in class nor looked over our scripts. We performed them in class instead.
My classmates who went onto Writing I said the tuition was higher there because instructors of that course would actually provide suggestions on student scripts.
Also, I was sick one week and could not make it to class. I wanted to get my instructor's e-mail address and let him know, but the training center's administration declined to provide me with that information. Ugh. I just wanted to be polite through my mucus stained haze and tell him I would be absent.
All in all, I look forward to returning to the Second City Training Center - even if I never ended up on stage.
AGREED.
This place has modernized and grown but will never lose it's touch.
I'm reviewing this entity as a business and, guess, what? Still 5 stars! Their enrollment is friendly and painless, they give you e-mail reminders and plenty of information on the phone AND via the website. Not to mention the classes are top notch.
I am embarking on a whole year there and I am excited. The time spent has been SO FUN AND HELPFUL I literally can't wait to go each time. Yay!
I think everyone in the world would benefit from some training here!
I took a Comedy Writing class here a couple of years ago as a fun activity. Considering i'm a finance major there really isn't a chance in hell I would ever make it as a comedian. However this is a cool place and esp. if you decide to go way into the program it can be very rewarding.
