The Second City

Taking its name from the title of A. J. Liebling's profile of Chicago in The New Yorker, The Second City opened on Dec. 16, 1959. The Second City has toured internationally with its trademark satire and wit for more than 60 years. The company operates resident theaters in Chicago, Toronto and New York City, as well as multiple touring troupes based out of its Chicago location. The Second City also maintains a presence in Hollywood, with a resident theater and training center.

The Second City has become a North American theatrical institution and has served as the starting point for many comedic actors, writers and directors working in American film, television and theater. Training centers have been established in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood. Many first-time visitors are surprised at the theater's modest and informal atmosphere, despite its reputation. The Second City's alumni include Alan Arkin, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Robert Klein, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Martin Short, George Wendt, Shelley Long, John Candy, Harold Ramis, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Amy Sedaris, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and others.

An evening with The Second City's National Touring Company features a blend of classic scenes, songs and improvisations performed by a six-member ensemble, accompanied by a musical accompanist and sound and light director. A typical two-act performance includes a wide variety of material on diverse topics. The Second City has expanded its offerings to include formats such as the "Improv Keynote" and "Custom Video Production," providing corporate and organizational events with tailored humor and interactive elements.

The Second City has performed at colleges, performing arts centers, clubs, theaters, fundraisers, festivals, conventions and more. The National Touring Company has appeared at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado; The English Speaking Theatre in Vienna, Austria; The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; Mayfest in Glasgow, Scotland; and numerous universities and performing arts centers worldwide. The troupe integrates improvisation and sketch comedy with audience engagement, making each performance unique. The Second City has received multiple Emmy Awards for its television productions, including the acclaimed "SCTV."