Taking Improv Classes in Chicago

So, you want to be on Saturday Night Live, right? Or maybe you want to learn some improv to round out your acting skills? Well, Chicago happens to be home to the finest improv schools in the world.

There are three main training centers, each offering a differing improv philosophy:

Second City

The list of famous alumni is ridiculously long, and probably one of the major reasons you're looking into learning this particular performance art in the first place. The short list (very short list) includes: Chris Farley, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Halle Berry, Steve Carell, Rachel Dratch, Stephnie Weir and Mike Myers. Second City teaches the use of improv primarily to create and refine scenes that will later be turned into sketches. Classes focus on scene “games” of varying degrees of difficulty.

Second City offers the widest variety of classes:

The Beginning Program.
A five level course, with each level consisting of eight classes. This course is recommended for those with little or no experience.

Improv for Actors.
Two levels, designed for those with previous acting experience.

The Conservatory Program.
What everyone strives for, one must audition to be considered for the conservatory. The conservatory is much more intense and focused, and can only be auditioned for after the completion of the beginning program or a similar amount of previous experience.

Second City also offers classes for youth and teens, writing, directing and music.

iO

Formerly known as ImprovOlympic, but due to a legal battle with (believe it or not) the actual Olympic committee is now just known as iO. Home of the “Harold”, a particular performance style, iO classes focus on teaching group dynamics and long-form improv. Most important to the scene, iO acts as sort of a social gathering area for other improvisers. If you want to get yourself involved with others in the improv community, iO is the place to go.