PHOTO COURTESY OF ORANGE CITY ARTS COUNCIL
Almost all Northwestern students have heard of campus improv group the Black V. Most have even been to a show or two (or 20).
Thursday night, the Orange City Arts Council brought even more improv to the city by hosting Second City improv.
Second City has groups in Chicago and Toronto, as well as 11 touring companies and groups on cruise ships. They also have training centers for both children and adults in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood.
Although its presence stretches across the nation, Second City also has local ties. Nick Rees, a member of the team, is a native of Sioux City.
According to the Orange City Arts Council, Second City’s alumni have gone on to do things such as movies, comedy shows and performances on Broadway. The group boasts alumni such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray and many others.
Second City started as a small cabaret theater but has slowly grown into the powerhouse comedy theater company that it is today. Much like Black V, Second City bases its performances off of audience participation and does a combination of sketch comedy and improvised songs. While they were in Orange City, Second City did more than just perform; the troupe also led an improv workshop.
Students who missed the show — or simply want more Second City — should not fret. Second City posts videos of some of its comedy sketches on its website, secondcitynetwork.com.
