Second City Improv Class
July 11, 2007 10:00 AM Subscribe
I am new to Chicago and just signed up for Second City's beginner improv class. Do any of you have any experience with this? What can I expect?
I'm with Jean. I've never taken SC classes, but the most important thing is NOT to try to be funny. Avoid it, even. Focus on having fun and learning. You will certainly do both.
posted by YoungAmerican at 1:28 PM on July 11, 2007
posted by YoungAmerican at 1:28 PM on July 11, 2007
3rded. I've take improv classes at two different schools in my area and getting close but not-quite-reaching performance level. Beginning level is going to be a fun time and you'll just learn the basics. There are a bunch of basic rules, any of which will seem most important. For me, I think embracing your failures is probably the most important.
Screwing up is how you learn.
posted by chairface at 3:13 PM on July 11, 2007
Screwing up is how you learn.
posted by chairface at 3:13 PM on July 11, 2007
Nthg what everyone else says about Second City. I took Intro to Comedy Writing in Chicago last spring and enjoyed the hell out of myself. You will too.
If you want to go more in-depth about what you're getting into, read Theatre Games by Viola Spolin. Research Paul Sills. I loved learning about the whole history behind improv.
Have fun!
posted by princesspathos at 4:26 PM on July 11, 2007
If you want to go more in-depth about what you're getting into, read Theatre Games by Viola Spolin. Research Paul Sills. I loved learning about the whole history behind improv.
Have fun!
posted by princesspathos at 4:26 PM on July 11, 2007
don't ever, ever ever say "no." It will stop your scene dead.
posted by pinky at 4:27 PM on July 11, 2007
posted by pinky at 4:27 PM on July 11, 2007
I was in a summer course in New York and have been thinking about making a move to LA for more with SC or with another group.
You'll have a lot of fun, learn some games and generally act like you're 12 again. If your an introvert, you'll break out of your shell, there's no way around it really. You'll become much more comfortable with strangers. If you're looking to get into improv, then I suggest seeing as many shows as possible and learning from them.
When it comes to the actual lessons learned, it's a lot of reteaching if you've taking any acting classes. Actors follow a script and sometimes have to roll with a snag or two, in improv you'll be on the edge of your seat and your brain will be working overtime to come up with the next part of the story. It's a great experience and I hope you enjoy it. Say hi to Ranjit for me if you see him.
posted by Derek at 4:37 PM on July 11, 2007
You'll have a lot of fun, learn some games and generally act like you're 12 again. If your an introvert, you'll break out of your shell, there's no way around it really. You'll become much more comfortable with strangers. If you're looking to get into improv, then I suggest seeing as many shows as possible and learning from them.
When it comes to the actual lessons learned, it's a lot of reteaching if you've taking any acting classes. Actors follow a script and sometimes have to roll with a snag or two, in improv you'll be on the edge of your seat and your brain will be working overtime to come up with the next part of the story. It's a great experience and I hope you enjoy it. Say hi to Ranjit for me if you see him.
posted by Derek at 4:37 PM on July 11, 2007
A very wise improv teacher once told me, "Improv is the opposite of real life. In real life, you want to avoid trouble. In improv, you want to get into trouble."
That one piece of advice helped my scenework more than being told 100 times to "say yes" or "never deny."
posted by ROTFL at 6:01 PM on July 11, 2007
That one piece of advice helped my scenework more than being told 100 times to "say yes" or "never deny."
posted by ROTFL at 6:01 PM on July 11, 2007
Also, as others have said, it's important to see shows. Not to see "how it's done" -- rather, to learn, as an audience member, how liberating it is to see a performer really dare to work without any net, and how much you adore and root for the performers who are most willing to risk looking stupid.
Learning that was how I cured my fear of looking like an idiot on stage.
posted by ROTFL at 6:08 PM on July 11, 2007
Learning that was how I cured my fear of looking like an idiot on stage.
posted by ROTFL at 6:08 PM on July 11, 2007
And if you want to see a cool documentary about how Second City builds one of their improv shows (watching it develop over a course of weeks is fascinating), catch Second to None. Which, btw, stars a young Tina Fey.
posted by jeanmari at 7:49 PM on July 11, 2007
posted by jeanmari at 7:49 PM on July 11, 2007
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Then they begin to teach you the basic rules of improv and you play improv games that help you to internalize these.
I observed that folks who tried too hard to be intentionally and individually funny often felt uncomfortable in these beginner classes. Funny comes later and it comes more organically. Just focus on having fun and getting to know the other folks in your class.
Sometimes I was part of a class that really bonded and would go out for drinks afterwards, which was also great for meeting new people. It doesn't always work like that, but it isn't unheard of.
Enjoy!
posted by jeanmari at 10:10 AM on July 11, 2007 [1 favorite]