The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959. No one could have guessed that this small cabaret theatre would become the most influential and prolific comedy theatre in the world. With its roots in the improvisational games of Viola Spolin, The Second City developed an entirely unique way of creating and performing comedy.
The Second City has always prided itself on being unconventional and non-conformist. The ability to reach a younger generation meant that the comedy was progressive and original. The theatre was able to make a name for itself with its influential comedic voices and different approach to improvisational comedy. Though much has changed in the past fifty years, the notion that comedy ought to be groundbreaking has not.
