Second City Chicago

Chicago may be the third-largest city in the country, but it’s still home to the world-famous Second City theatre company, located in the northside neighborhood of Old Town. Since it was founded in 1959, Second City has been the starting point for countless actors and comedians, teaching both improvisational theater and sketch comedy. Based on the teachings of Viola Spolin, each improvisational piece is unique, generated by the participants on stage, often for humorous effect at the unexpected outcomes. The theater also offers programs through its training center, with branches in Toronto and Los Angeles, in addition to its home in Chicago. The original Second City has had numerous alumni that have become influential in media and Hollywood, including Stephen Colbert, Dan Castellaneta, Tina Fey, Steve Carell and many more. Shows often sell out in Old Town, so it’s a good idea to book Second City parking ahead of time with ParkWhiz, since being late to a show is never funny.