During this past October, The Second City Improv sketch comedy group performed at Ithaca’s State Theatre, bringing its satirical genius, raw talent, and most of all ceaseless passion. Second City is a comedic enterprise that has served as the foundation for today’s best comedians, actors, and directors for almost fifty years. Along with its training center to help aspiring artists to expand their talent through extensive teaching in improvisation and comedy writing, there are several touring companies that travel the world performing unscripted and scripted shows. With the dynamic cast of Brooke Bagnall, Abby Mcenany, Rachel Miller, Sam Richardson, and Seth Weitberg, I was able to see first-hand that Second City breeds actors that not only pursue what they love but live for what they do.

Since most of Second City shows are based off archival material, the cast has to work together through collective experiences and interests to develop new standpoints on past material. Richardson believes that “if all you do is recite what other funny people have said, then you can just find that funny person’s routine, so you have to bring your own perspective, tell what you find funny about the world”. When asked about their processes of finding new material, Miller explained that inspiration is found everywhere. “You will find it watching people on the train, commuting on the bus, standing in line at Borders—one sentence someone says will turn into a scene the next day, you just have to be constantly open and ready to develop it”. Bagnall clarified that “the thing about making something funny is finding that universal truth for everybody, finding something everybody can relate to but also telling your personal story”.

Since Second City is firstly a sketch comedy theatre, most of the shows are rehearsed scripts, but improvisation is used throughout all the shows to keep both the scenes fresh and the actors vibrant. “We always want to make it feel like it is improvised because then we feel like we are making discoveries in the moment which keeps each of us on our toes”, says Weitberg. Since improv is largely dependent on quick wit and adaptability, there is also an aspect of letting go. “It’s about not censoring yourself; you have to be willing to say anything, knowing that some stuff just isn’t going to be funny, and then you will learn from falling down a few times,” says Miller.

Many believe that comedians knew what they wanted to do from the start, but the reality is that many comedians started as bankers, secretaries, cashiers, and teachers. “I was supposed to go into arts management, where I probably would be making a lot more money, but I wouldn’t be nearly as happy and creatively satisfied as I am now,” says Miller. The life of a comedian is one that is always changing and requires an open mindset. “It is a matter of making small choices in the moment and keeping a number of options in mind, but none of us would be doing this job if it weren’t for following what really inspires and excites us,” says Weitberg.

Second City allows artists today to expand their love for comedy. Miller believes that being a part of Second City is like a larger family. “You hope that someday someone will read a script with your name on it, and it makes you feel like you are a part of something greater.”