Welcome to The Second City, new students! We’re so glad you’re here.
Welcome to The Second City, new students! We’re so glad you’re here.
Student Handbook
Learn more about our policies and procedures here.
Jams + Open Mics
The one-stop-shop for all student jams, open mics, workshops, and special events! Come to play or to watch. Events are recommended for current students only.
The Second City Wishlist
Not seeing what you hoped?
Submit your suggestions here for classes you’d like to see offered in the future. We welcome your feedback!
Student Handbook
Learn more about our policies and procedures here.
Jams + Open Mics
The one-stop-shop for all student jams, open mics, workshops, and special events! Come to play or to watch. Events are recommended for current students only.
The Second City Wishlist
Not seeing what you hoped?
Submit your suggestions here for classes you’d like to see offered in the future. We welcome your feedback!
Your Location is now set to
New York Student Perks
Second City Professional Stages
15% off
15% off one ticket per show Sundays through Thursdays only
Second City Merchandise
15% off
15% off clothing, hats, books, etc.
Raffles and Giveaways
Email Promotions
These are emailed to current students and posted on our social media.
Grad Revue Shows
Student Rush Tickets
Current students can redeem one free ticket if they arrive, in person, at the box office within two hours before the start of the show. These tickets can only be redeemed for Grad Revue shows. These tickets cannot be reserved for guests.
Occasional Free Tickets to Second City Shows
Free!
Current students are automatically added to an email list that will occasionally offer free tickets to resident shows.
Bentwood
50% off your check
only eligible per student – not per table – Please be prepared to show your class receipt and a picture ID as proof of enrollment.
Leon’s Bagels
15% off
only eligible per student – Please be prepared to show your class receipt and a picture ID as proof of enrollment.
Whiskey Brooklyn
15% off
only eligible per student – not per table – Please be prepared to show your class receipt and a picture ID as proof of enrollment.
Museum of Ice Cream
10% off
CODE: SCMOIC-10
Dolly’s Bar
Happy Hour ALL THE TIME
Midnight’s Bar
Happy Hour ALL THE TIME
Well Well Well Coffee
15% 0ff
Vinnie’s Pizza
10% off
Student Rush Tickets
$10 Tickets
Hoping to see our mainstage show Ruthless Acts of Kindness for less?
A limited number of $10 tickets will go on sale at 10am on the day of the performance. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can only be purchased in person at The Second City box office. Tickets are limited to ONE ticket per student.
Students must present valid proof of enrollment, such as a student ID or class receipt. We broadly define “student” as anyone studying at any learning institution—whether you’re taking classes at NYU, Cosmetology College, The Coney Island Side Show School, or any other educational program.
We cannot hold spots or process reservations over the phone.
All rush ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded, exchanged or replaced.
Important Dates
TERM 1 2024 | JAN 15 to FEB 26
TERM 2 2024 | MAR 04 to APR 21
TERM 3 2024 | APR 29 to JUN 17
TERM 4 2024 | JUN 24 to AUG 19
TERM 5 2024 | AUG 26 to OCT 21
TERM 6 2024 | OCT 28 to DEC 20
NEW YEAR’S DAY | JAN 01
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY | JAN 15
MEMORIAL DAY | MAY 27
JUNETEENTH | JUN 19
INDEPENDENCE DAY | JUL 04 – 07
LABOR DAY | SEPT 2nd
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY | OCT 14
THANKSGIVING | NOV 27 – 29
CHRISTMAS EVE | DEC 24
CHRISTMAS DAY | DEC 25
NEW YEAR’S EVE | DEC 31
FAQs
It depends what you’d like to do. The Improvisation Program is a great jumping off point. We also have Improv for Anxiety, Public Speaking and Acting as great first options. Or if you’re looking to go the writing route, we have the Writing or Stand Up Programs. If you have completed a full year of improv training (equivalent to our Improv Program) from another training centre and you have completed a post secondary acting course, then you are eligible to submit for our Conservatory Program. If you need any help deciding which classes to take, just give us a call at 416-343-0011. We will always be happy to chat with you about your interests and goals and figure out the best place for you to begin.
While both of these core programs use similar improvisational techniques derived from the teachings of Viola Spolin, the focus for the performer is different. In the Improv program, we teach you how to work, play & perform without a script. In the Acting program, we show you how to use those improv skills to be a better, more present actor. Later levels of the Acting program also incorporate scripts and memorized text including scenes from the Second City Archives.
Only some advanced programs like the Sketch Conservatory require auditions, though some specialized classes and workshops may have prerequisites.
Because the Training Centre itself is not an accredited institution of higher learning, just an awesome professional training center, students are generally ineligible for college credit. We also cannot file the paperwork for international students to obtain student visas. However, if you are currently enrolled in college, we have this amazing program called Comedy Studies which is an accredited college program that we run in Chicago in partnership with Columbia College. This is a semester-long study in comedy for which students do receive college credit
We offer classes in our Kids and Teens Program for students ages 4-18. Students must be at least 19 to attend classes in our adult programs or at least a high school graduate, but there is no upper age limit. Even Betty White could come take a class (although we know she doesn’t need it)!
We require payment at the time of registration in order to hold your spot in the class. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Amex, cash, or cheque. PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE! Pay for your class in installments. Register online and set up your own payment plan, or inquire with the office.
Yes! You can find more information here.
Tuition fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable. If you have a conflict with your schedule, please contact our Customer Service team as soon as possible to see if any arrangements can be made. Transfers may be subject to a $25 transfer fee.
We have lots of classes, and sometimes we have multiple sections of the same class running at the same time. In those cases we add various words to the class names so you know which class you belong to. If you are continuing to the next level of a program on the same day and time, please enroll in the same word group.
If you have to miss a class, please reach out to our Customer Service team for options. We do not offer scheduled makeup classes but will assist you as best we can. Make sure to contact your instructor for any material you may have missed. Try to get to every class, so that you don’t miss class content, and can advance to the next level of your program!
Sometimes a student may wish or need to take time off from The Training Centre due to personal reasons. Should this occur, please contact The Training Centre staff immediately. Please be informed that when you return, the Training Centre will place you at its discretion. Students who leave during the Conservatory Program may be asked to re-audition. Returning students must pay the tuition rate that is applicable to the time of rejoining The Training Centre. Any student returning after more than one (1) year of absence is required to rejoin the program at a level determined by The Training Centre.
It takes a great deal of training and experience to become a member of our professional company. Most of the resident actors have trained and performed for a number of years before being hired by The Second City. Although many of the resident company actors are graduates of The Training Centre, completion of any program does not guarantee employment with the company.
The most direct answer is the Conservatory, our cornerstone training program designed to give you first-hand experience in the Second City method. It caters to the aspiring professional, and it qualifies you to audition for our house teams and other advanced programs. Admission is by audition only and requires some previous experience, so you may need to start with training in our Improvisation program. However, great Second City actors also have to be able to perform scripted material and create believable characters on stage (try our Acting program), and on the resident stages they write their own material (try our Comedy Writing program). And they all have to be comfortable with music and singing (we have a variety of music classes!). These programs can be great preparation for the Conservatory, but students also frequently enroll in them after graduation from the Conservatory to round out their skills and deepen the understanding of their craft. The bottom line is all of the programs here will give you practical experience that will make you a creative powerhouse.
Box Office