So an improv wannabe walks into a bar....

June 25, 2007 6:23 PM

Improv Comedy Filter: I just moved to Chicago and everyone tells me "To meet people like you, you gotta join an improv troup!" The problem is: there's like 30 of them, and they're all different. So Chicago (or improv) fans: What's the deal with these improv classes, which do you recommend, and what's the best way for a newbie to the city to get situated in the scene?
posted by moooshy to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

I should add that I'm not doing this to get out of a shell or to move to NYC and become a comedian, I simply want to meet people, not spend a lot, and hopefully find a group that will become my friends and hang out most nights. :)
posted by moooshy at 6:27 PM on June 25, 2007

I would go to IO, the Improv Olympic. It's Chana Halpern's place, and she's kind of a legend. (Though personally I might try to take a class with someone else there.) Alternately I'm a big fan of Mick Napier's book Improvise, and I think he's based at the Annoyance Theater. Either of those would probably be pretty great.
posted by TonyRobots at 6:30 PM on June 25, 2007

Sorry, I meant Charna Halpern.
posted by TonyRobots at 6:31 PM on June 25, 2007

Ditto, tonyrobots. I know several people taking IO Theater classes at the training center in Raleigh, and I've met a few people from the Chicago branch. It seems like an all-around great experience, and I've met tons of great people involved in it.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:39 PM on June 25, 2007

IO's the way to go. My firm actually sends attorneys there for litigation training. I have been to classes there (one offs, not whole training sessions) and I've enjoyed them.
posted by BuddhaBelly at 6:43 PM on June 25, 2007

I haven't studied in Chicago (though I do here in LA), but indeed the IO has a spotless reputation. The Annoyance does as well, and is a bit more of an upstart (Halpern is best known for corraling the improv legend Del Close in his later years, rather than for her own skill at teaching improv). Work hard and have a great time!
posted by YoungAmerican at 6:58 PM on June 25, 2007

Ok, I talked to my friend who just graduated from IO South in Raleigh. He says: he'd definately recommend IO, both for people looking for serious training and people looking for a good time. Just start with Level 1, and don't try too hard to 'be funny'- just be yourself and have fun with it, and you'll do great.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:10 PM on June 25, 2007

You could contact my friend Tara D. She's a blogger but, more importantly, she's a super funny Chicago comedian who does lots of improv and just got hired for her dream job with Second City. Seriously, drop her an e-mail.
posted by web-goddess at 7:16 PM on June 25, 2007

There are so many places to go, each with different reputations and methods.

IO is indeed terrific. Their focus is on long-form improv (called The Harold) and tends to generate humor out of organic situations that arise from exploring an idea or theme.

The Annoyance (Mick's place) is similar. Very cutting edge humor, absurdist. Mick's taught at Second City and directs/writes mainstage shows and, arguably, things got better at Second City when he started doing so.

Second City used to be very much more focused on finding "the funny" as opposed to seeking out humor out of organic situations.

I've studied at IO, Second City, The Annoyance and with Paul Sills who founded the Second City. Of all of these, IO is most like what Sills intended, though arguably Second City and The Annoyance prepare you slightly more for performance situations. Second City has a little bit more of the competition thing going on in their classes. IO will get you performing with a team faster.
posted by OhPuhLeez at 8:35 PM on June 25, 2007

I have an acquaintance who did IO and loved it and has stuck with it for a year or two now.

Be prepared though, these sorts of outlets attract really cool and really fucked up people - or so I've been told from several different sources.
posted by wfrgms at 9:12 PM on June 25, 2007

Thanks everyone! This was exactly the type of helpful information I was looking for -- I will go online tomorrow and sign up for an intro class. :)
posted by moooshy at 9:22 PM on June 25, 2007

I e-mailed my friend (previously mentioned) and here's what she sent back:

well, there's lots of options! if this person is a novice and is ready to try to bust into the field, the best thing you can do is attend all schools. reasons? - well, you learn a lot and get practice in class, but even moreover, you surround yourself with the community and meet friends and learn as much from them in their pursuit as well.

there are several schools here - and all of them are esteemed, but for different reasons. i'll give top four:

iO - this is the "home of the harold", sort of the beginning of long-form improv (teams get one suggestion and perform for about 30 minutes). the art of improv is sort of the craft here, and even though you'll learn several "forms" in class, you'll perform the harold in the case you land on one of their 30 or so performing teams after you graduate (about a 15-20% chance).

Second City - the Harvard of Hilarity, they say. this is where a lot of it, if not all of it, began. this is regarded as the mecca of sketch improv in the US, and it'll teach you how to improvise then use improv to write a show. (essentially.) performing here outside of classes is rare, but it's sorta the dream for a lot of people. they hold yearly-ish auditions for spots on their boats and understudies for their touring company; about 700 audition and 1 or 2 get in.

comedysportz - this is one of the most tourist friendly places in the city. it's short-form, well packaged in a one and a hlf hour competition bracket. it's slick and fun. all ages. the school here is most helpful for quick thinking, "doing it", and being ready for anything. there is a blend of people in this school who want to be a part of comedysportz aaand many business associates that just want to be "quicker on their toes at work", that sort of thing. csz has an ensemble of about 50, but only one, who rotate in to cover their 5 shows a week.

the annoyance - great place, one of those places you'd go to learn from some great teachers and shake up your improv after you hit a slump. save this one for last, in my opinion, and remind yourself why you're doing it.

you'll see a lot of crossover of performers between these places on their stages/touring companies.

this is a saturated field of very talented people - moving here can be exciting and daunting; exciting because there is so much to do and watch, and daunting because a lot of people do what you do. don't get discouraged! just play as much as you can. it's a great place to live, and the community of people are awesome. you'll learn a ton.

hope this helps!
all these places, i think, have a link on my blog.
good luck!
posted by web-goddess at 2:32 PM on June 26, 2007