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The Second City Training Center
1608 N Wells St f4, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
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Ke
Review №1

Went through the entire Improv program and made a lot of friends! Right away it took me out of my comfort zone and opened me up to these wonderful experiences! Ive taken to sketch writing classes, which really pushes you to think and be creative with the guide lines they provide. Ive also completel 1-4 of the Acting program with some great experienced instructors. Im currently going through the Actor Lab program!

Be
Review №2

I took IMPROV FOR ACTORS this week as an intensive. I was supposed to have Rachel Mason but she only attended the first day as she was sick and we ended up having Law Tarello for days 2 through 5. Law was excellent. However, the lights werent always on in the theater and class couldnt start ontime because of this on multiple days. It was hard to find a staff member that would help us get going. Law didnt have access to the lighting booth. The building was full of students for camps so if you dont like being around large crowds (including tons of kids) dont take a summer intensive. The building is hard to navigate so you need to go to orientation on the first day of class. Youll get it after the second day. I felt like the price was good for the class that I took. I would definitely go back but I think management needs to sweep through public areas and cladsroom more regularly to ensure high-quality customer service.

S
Review №3

Attended several improv and writing classes over summer. The quality of instruction was variable. Some tutors are inspiring (for example Micah and Tim). Whilst others are not (An instructor named Megan Hovde was particularly unmannerly to say the least).I recommend checking the instructors credentials beforehand to get the best experience for your money.

Ce
Review №4

I love my teachers and I love the program, but second city is a wreck. Its disorganized, the building is a maze, staff dont know whats going on half the time, classes are over priced, and everyone is underpaid. Ive had a wonderful experience but I dont know that Id recommend it to anyone else.

Bi
Review №5

I look forward to my class here every week. It is literally the one bright point of my Mondays (other than my dog and maybe my boyfriend). The classes are a great bang for you buck. It comes out to about $15/hour. The class sizes are manageable and the teachers are knowledgeable and patient. They expertly take the time for every student to get individual attention. This is seriously better (and cheaper) than any high school or university level acting course Ive ever taken. Even if youre doing this just for a release, and arent trying to break into the business, I strongly suggest checking it out.Im so glad I signed up :)

He
Review №6

I went to Judy’s Beat Lounge. They don’t have food or drink but the bar let me bring in a drink. They are walking distance in Old Towne. The staff was nice and they had multiple venues. It’s larger than the Toronto one.

Tr
Review №7

Very nice

Na
Review №8

The staff at the bar are completely disrespectful. I’ve heard them call me names, I’ve heard them say behind my back, “get out of here, you don’t belong here”. That heavy set white girl is completely disrespectful. I went there for the first time in months & they kicked me out for no reason. I’m glad I will not be returning. Seems like a bar full of bullies. That fat white girl is just mad cus she’s fat so she has to pick on others to make her self feel better. I was really excited to start class at second city. I think I’ll go to a different club. Second city is so overrated & the shows aren’t really even that funny. People try way too hard there. In the future pick better staff who don’t talk about customers out loud

Da
Review №9

I have been a student at the Second City Training Center for all of 2016 in the Writing Program. Being part of Second City has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. As someone who is over 60, I have found the staff to be totally positive, welcoming, and fun, and perhaps more importantly, Ive found my fellow students to be the same, even with the age difference. Ive learned a great deal that I can take back to my work in community theatre, and I highly recommend the Writing Program to anyone who is interested in learning more a bout the structure of comedy. The Second City certainly lives up to its reputation as a world-class organization.

St
Review №10

It was very distressing being a catholic republican women. I did not like the anti American Trump skits or I never find an abortion skits funny. A lot of people around me were making jokes that Chicago must be very democratic city. We are all on our night out trying to get away from politics. Ive always entertained family and friends when we are treating in Chicago. Will not put them through that again!

Ky
Review №11

Solid.Have had a bunch of fun in the classes I took so far. Learned some life-long stuff. And met a buncha people whove become some of my closest friends. Ten out of ten. Would return.

Ji
Review №12

I loved taking the Improv Level A at The Second City. The teachers are amazing and it really helped improve my presentation skills. I would recommend that anyone in finance who has to present to take this class.

Am
Review №13

Ive taken Improv level A & B and writing 1 at the Second City Training Center and the classes totally exceeded my expectations. The teachers were amazing and you get to know everyone in the class really well so was a great way to make a bunch of new friends. I would recommend the Training Center to anyone whether they wanted to pursue improv and sketch as a career or just do it for fun like I did!

Er
Review №14

While i took the improv training program over 6 years ago, I still can feel the benefits day in day out. Whether you are a fledgling comedian, or just a corporate guy like myself looking to do something different for self improvement. This is a safe zone, friendly environment really to get you out of your comfort zone (in a good way). besides some of the lifelong friends ive made via the program, it provides so many immeasurable benefits, whether its boosting your confidence of speaking in public, helping build ideas with others. This is the ultimate in team building capabilities, and I still find myself to this day quoting and talking about what i learned there. I will always be a lifelong believer in what you can gain out of this and would recommend everyone give it a go, even if its a drop in class.

Am
Review №15

I completed the second city improv training program here and have nothing but fantastic things to say about this program. The classes are structured from levels A-E, and averages about 20 students with some attrition as you go up the levels. The students are mostly young professionals or post college students with some theater folks mixed in. I never had theater experience beforehand and i felt the classes covered the basics of improv well. More importantly, the teachers are very very good and the atmosphere is awesome. Students bonded over the course of their training, and even someone like me who was stage-shy beforehand felt comfortable after one or two levels. As a bonus, the comfort level with stage definitely translate well to confidence in other areas like job interviews. As a student, you also get perks like restaurants discounts and free tickets to second city shows. I highly recommend this place for people to try out improv courses whether for professional advancement, for public speaking, or for fun.

Da
Review №16

Ive taken multiple classes at the SCTC, including two Writing with The Onion classes, Writing the Sitcom Spec Script, and two Improv for Actors class. The skills Ive learned can be applied both to my creative pursuits, and to my everyday life. I look forward to continuing on with my improv education and audition for The Conservatory. Improv really can improve your life!

Sh
Review №17

I was an introvert all my life, then I took some classes here. Guess what? Im an extrovert now. Thanks Second City!!!!!!

Information
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17 Comments
4.3 Rating
  • Address:1608 N Wells St f4, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
  • Site:https://www.secondcity.com/chicago/find-a-class/lets-get-started/
  • Phone:+1 312-664-3959
Categories
  • Comedy club
  • Training centre
Working hours
  • Monday:10am–7pm
  • Tuesday:11am–7pm
  • Wednesday:11am–7pm
  • Thursday:10am–10pm
  • Friday:10am–10pm
  • Saturday:10am–10pm
  • Sunday:10am–10pm
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great cocktails:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Offerings
  • Alcohol:Yes
  • Beer:Yes
  • Cocktails:Yes
  • Food:Yes
  • Food at bar:Yes
  • Wine:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
Crowd
  • Groups:Yes
  • Tourists:Yes
Planning
  • Accepts reservations:Yes
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