The Second City Training Center

"It’s a nice place to take some classes. I learned to become a better listener, less self-conscious, and to be kinder. I had taken courses in NY where it was people serious about acting as a career. This was more community-oriented with people from all walks. There were even professionals doing it for soft skills on their resume. The teacher was also a professor at the University of Chicago. I would recommend the courses to anyone."

"It was an excellent show at a cheap price. Highly recommend seeing one of the many different types of shows they offer."

"The training center is hit and miss with what you will get. It’s got the name and past notoriety, but it’s a shell of what it once was. It’s was pretty disappointing what we “learned” in Improv I, which was not much. We learned the most the day we had a sub. Feedback was given twice via evaluations, but there was no follow up. I would highly recommend another training center if you’re actually trying to learn something. The “management” or those running the training center is about as lacking as the instructor I had, unfortunately. It seems they just don’t care. It’s unfortunate this place has turned into what it is. I do know they have some competent teachers, but they don’t share teacher names so you go in just hoping for the best, and you likely won’t get it relying on them. Don’t expect a place that cares about student experience or actual education either. I will be exploring other locations to get an actual education."

"Great vibes and super well versed teachers. Building is super accommodating for parking, food/discounts in house and 3rd party discounts in Pipers Alley. Lots of tables and couches near the classrooms to do homework for your class or converse on a project. Student success staff is absolutely phenomenal and has saved me a lot of time and fear by actively hearing my concerns, discovering solutions that worked for me and then communicating them with me in a timely manner. If if you feel creative like this is your thing, THIS is your place."

"I took IMPROV FOR ACTORS this week as an intensive. I was supposed to have Rachel Mason but she only attended the first day as she was sick and we ended up having Law Tarello for days 2 through 5. Law was excellent. However, the lights weren't always on in the theater and class couldn't start ontime because of this on multiple days. It was hard to find a staff member that would help us get going. Law didn't have access to the lighting booth. The building was full of students for camps so if you don't like being around large crowds (including tons of kids) don't take a summer intensive. The building is hard to navigate so you need to go to orientation on the first day of class. You'll get it after the second day. I felt like the price was good for the class that I took. I would definitely go back but I think management needs to sweep through public areas and cladsroom more regularly to ensure high-quality customer service."