Live from Chicago, it’s the return of comedy clubs
By MacKenzie Coffman Medill Reports Comedic relief was in high demand as we slipped into the pandemic almost two years ago. More than ever, we needed to feel unrestrained laughter — the kind that makes you wipe away stray tears and clutch your stomach as your abs strain. Instead of seeing live standup or improv, […]
Chicago This Week Episode 6
Amelia Burns, Medill Reports
Second City continues to strive for diversity with new film school
By Tim Rosenberger Chicago’s Second City has set a high bar for diverse casts for decades. So some may find it strange that the comedy powerhouse’s newest project is devoted mainly to inclusion. But in the wake of the recent debate about the lack of diversity in Hollywood, the opening of a Second City comedy film […]
The Second City announces Harold Ramis film school, dedicated to comedy moviemaking
By Benji Cohen Many consider Chicago to be America’s capital of comedy. And The Second City wants it to also be known as the capital of comedy filmmaking. The improv theater company announced on February 9th that it will be opening the world’s first filmmaking school dedicated to comedy, named for one of its best […]
Comedy troupe “Stir Friday Night” delivers laughs, with a side of Asian-American humor
By Jenny G. Zhang “Don’t fall asleep with the fan on!” a mother tells her son as she bids him good night, citing a Korean wives’ tale that sleeping with the fan on will result in death. Scoffing, the son ignores the warning and nods off. In the darkness, the fan swivels to a halt […]