If you are someone who loves performing and wants to be part of the entertainment industry, improvisation is a really great skill to have in your pocket. Improv skills are different than other acting techniques you might learn, and their benefits can have an impact on other areas of your life, outside of your acting career. In this article, we are going to take a look at the improv options available to you at The Second City, one of Canada’s most popular acting schools. We hope it inspires you to consider taking improv classes yourself!
WHY IMPROV SKILLS ARE HELPFUL
Improv comedy is fun to watch and extremely entertaining to be a part of. But did you know that improv skills can have a positive impact on the rest of your life as well? Some of the benefits of improv include:
-The ability to think quickly on your feet in all situations.
-A greater sense of confidence in everyday life, especially in interactions with others.
-The potential for more extroversion overall.
-An improvement in overall creativity.
THE SECOND CITY’S SINGLE IMPROV CLASSES
If you really want to try improv out but you do not want to make the full commitment to a program, you can try The Second City’s drop-in improv classes. These are single hour and a half classes that require no other experience. Attending one of these classes is a great way to make some new friends while giving improv a try to see if it is something that you want to spend more time doing without the initial commitment of time and money.
There are also more advanced drop-in options available for those who have already had some experience with improv and want to continue having some fun with it or challenging themselves. The advanced drop-ins are recommended for those who have at least some prior experience, though this is not a total necessity.
Because of safety requirements around COVID-19, The Second City currently prefers registration for these single sessions.
THE SECOND CITY’S IMPROV PROGRAMS
If you are ready to make the full commitment to improv, The Second City has multi levelled improv programs (1 through 5), beginning with a more introductory option where students will learn the fundamentals about improv and grow their confidence. Once the first level is completed, students can work up to the most advanced level, where they will focus on the skills needed to host improv, as well as how to provide the most effective improv experience for audiences, plus much more.
THE SECOND CITY’S IMPROV FOR THOSE WITH ANXIETY
The Second City also has a really incredible set of improv programs specifically designed for those who have social anxiety disorder. These programs enable students to learn more about how to conquer their anxieties around social situations–including those at school or work–through improv. These programs will allow students to tackle social anxiety by handling some of the more common triggers in an environment that is safe for everyone and helps foster a sense of comfort.
THE SECOND CITY’S IMPROV FOR THOSE WITH AUTISM
Another specialized set of improv programs The Second City offers is created specifically for students who are on the Autism spectrum. These programs help students work on the identification of social cues and explore connections with others, as well as tell stories and access their emotions. This program is an amazing way to encourage inclusion in the entertainment industry.
So, as you can see, there is no shortage of improv options at The Second City! Whether you are looking to try improv out a little and see if you like it, or you are ready commit to a full program, The Second City has something for everyone!
