Late in 1959 a small cabaret opened in a converted hat shop. It debuted with 8 unknown performers in a new form of theater. Using minimal costumes and props, the performers presented satirical scenes, musical numbers and improvisations.

They called themselves The Second City.

The Second City Comedy Theater has had a monumental influence on the American entertainment industry and can claim a vast list of alumni including: Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, John Belushi, Bonnie Hunt, John Candy, Chris Farley, Shelly Long, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Joan Rivers, and Martin Short. This is an abbreviated list! No other institution in the world can claim to have nurtured and influenced so many successful comic performers.

At the heart of The Second City is improvisation. Performers are trained to think on their feet with speed and intelligence. They are taught to always keep in mind that their audience is as smart as the performer needs them to be.

Within a year of opening its doors, Second City Comedy Theater was attracting attention from celebrity visitors on a regular basis. By the 1970's, they opened a Second City, Toronto and Saturday Night Live debuted with almost half of the cast comprised of Second City alumni.

In the 1980's Second City brought the entertainment industry comedians Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Bonnie Hunt and Mike Myers. And in the 1990's came Tim Meadows, Chris Farley and Steve Carell.

Thousands have gone through Second City which now has a presence in several cities throughout Canada and the U.S.

They are the leaders in training professionals in the art of improvisation, acting and writing. They have training centers in Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Second City Comedy Theater has 5 touring companies at present (4 from the U.S. and 1 from Canada) that takes the Best of Second City revue live to audiences around the world.

Their influence on TV and film is ever present as they work with students and alumni to create and develop new concepts and scripts. SCTV New is currently in the works and the original SCTV (aired in 1976-1984) is enjoying a renewed popularity through its recent DVD release.

The Second City had humble beginning, became a local Chicago phenomenon and has evolved over the years to be an enduring international sensation.