EST. 1959 - Second City

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1977 SCTV has American debut 1978 Andrew Alexander & Len Stuart partner 1979 Second City premieres on NBC TOURING COMPANIES & THEATRICALS Just a few short years after The Second City launched in Chicago, the theatre formed Touring Companies that began performing all over North America at theatres, clubs, colleges and performing arts centers. Not only did this become an important way to build The Second City brand outside of the Windy City, it also became the model for developing the comedic talent that grace the resident stages of The Second City. There’s nothing like sharing a hot van every week with five other would-be comic geniuses – playing houses from Peoria to Beverly Hills – that will serve to develop your comic chops. Today, The Second City maintains four full-time touring ensembles that have extended their reach beyond the pond, performing in Europe and Asia in addition to their ongoing tours in the US and Canada. In the mid 1990’s, The Second City developed its Theatricals division, which was built to extend Second City’s live theatrical credentials beyond the world of sketch and improv comedy. Co-Productions with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Steppenwolf and Northlight Theatre brought such hit shows as “Second City’s Hamlet! The Musical” and the touring musical “Sex and The Second City.” In 2005, The Second City made an exclusive deal with Norwegian Cruise Lines to produce revues aboard a number of its ships. Today, Second City has full-time casts on seven NCL ships. Recent Theatricals productions include “Jewsical! The Musical” and “DeFace The Nation.” Pictured Counter clockwise: Mick Napier & Alexandra Billings, Current Touring Company, Nicole Parker & Micheal Keegan-Key, 1980’s Toronto Touring Company with Mike Myers 1982 SCTV wins series Emmy Second City e.t.c. opens 1983 Los Angeles location opens 1985 The Second City Training Center begins 1974 • Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner 1975 • George Wendt 1976 • Shelly Long, Steven Kampmann 1980 • Danny Breen, Jim Belushi 1982 • Martin Short on SCTV 1988 • Bonnie Hunt, Mike Myers 8
9 SECOND CITY TRAINING CENTERS The Second City has offered workshops and classes in its craft since its inception in the 60's. Then, wisdom was imparted by such luminaries as Josephine Forsberg, Del Close, and Don DePollo in a series of classes focusing on the art of improvisation. Demand grew steadily until an official school was established in the 1980's, united by the ongoing goal to share the unique and influential methods the theater was founded on and to prepare the next generation of artists for its stages. Since then the Training Centers have experienced unprecedented growth in curriculum and enrollment. The Training Centers are now one of the largest actor training programs in the world. Training in improvisation, acting, and writing serve as the foundation of an impressive variety of classes catering to all ages and skill levels. It has expanded to include youth programming, musical improvisation and songwriting classes, professional development classes for educators, and a constantly evolving roster of specialized workshops taught by the theater's talented cast members and alumni. In 2007, in partnership with Columbia College Chicago, the Training Center became home to "Comedy Studies," a semester-long, accredited program that is first of its kind in the United States. Addressing the needs of the community while continuing to set the standard, the Second City Training Centers offer one of the most comprehensive and respected performance programs in the world. “Second City teaches its actors what it means to be part of an ensemble” –Dick Blasucci, Executive Producer, MadTV SECOND CITY TELEVISION & FILM In 1976, The Second City welcomed the chance to bring its trademark sketch format into the homes of global viewers with the creation of a television series. Andrew Alexander, along with Sahlins and partner Len Stuart, called upon the talents of the Toronto Mainstage cast and its associates to breathe life into this new TV project. Together with John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, and Dave Thomas, along with Harold Ramis, Del Close, and Sheldon Patinkin - came the idea to follow the exploits of a fictional television studio and the inimitable personalities who run it. From these sessions, the legendary SCTV - standing for the call letters of the aspiring station - was launched. During its seven-year, 185 half-hour episode run, the show garnered 13 Emmy Award nominations and won two for best writing. It grew to be adored by audiences in its native Canada before spreading to American distribution, and is enjoyed by younger generations in syndication. More importantly, the show would prove to be an original template for the sketch comedy format on television, with ensemble work, structuring, and presentation that would inspire virtually all other sketch programs to come. Today, The Second City TV and Film division continues to develop projects in all areas - including television series, feature films, and web events. Their aggressive hands-on approach to turning an idea into a reality has gained them attention from networks and studios worldwide. Working with some of comedy's biggest stars and the breakout talent of tomorrow, this enterprising division is fast becoming a frontrunner in the media world. Eugene Levy as Bobby Bittman “Second City looked for all the world like a bunch of people goofing off onstage. I was pretty sure they got paid for it” –George Wendt Joe Flaherty as Count Flyod Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas as the McKenzie brothers Andrea Martin as Edith Prickley 10
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EST. 1959 - Second City

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