The Second City

The Second City has been bringing the funny for over 60 years. We began in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and have grown to become the first name in improv and comedy, with theaters and Training Centers in Chicago, Toronto, and Hollywood. We’ve also taken improv off the stage, expanding our reach to include creative collaborations with a wide range of creative and corporate partners, wellness and education programs, and TV, film and digital productions. And our alumni list includes some of the funniest names on the planet… The Second City is the world's premiere comedy theatre offering the best in Chicago-style sketch and improv comedy and has launched the careers of Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and many, many others. First, let’s define a few terms so we’re all on the same page. Sketch comedy is scripted, well-rehearsed scenes that we never, ever call “skits.” (And most of us are mighty touchy about that one. Improv is the unscripted, spontaneous, collaborative art form Second City is famous for. Stand-Up is the classic one-comic-on-stage-with-a-mic-telling-jokes routine. Think Jerry Seinfeld against a brick wall. Typically, any stand-up performances at Second City happen in the UP Comedy Club. A classic Second City revue is made up of original sketches and songs sprinkled with a healthy dose of our world-famous improv. Second City productions are fully written and rehearsed, but no two shows are ever the same.