The Second City Training Center

Anju Marie Chandy

Lisa Akroush is a tyrant with a clipboard and tacky lipstick. She can get away treating students she doesn’t like (like me) with disrespect, and second city’s lack of communication/miscommunication causes problems that fall on people like me—paying students who show up to feel comfy, open up, and try to do comedy, but we get haters like Lisa trying to dull our sparkle. Happy to increase the stars on my review if second city would actually respond to my concerns and open a dialogue so no student has to feel targeted by an insecure staff member with a clipboard and a false sense of power. Lisa, you are nothing but a bill I pay. You have no power over me.

Emily McCall

Honestly I went thru the whole program and felt like no one really taught me anything. I also never got a certificate or recognition of completion. It's like there's a huge disparegy from instructor to instructor so it's very luck of the draw. Definitely regret me wasting my time there. In hindsight way overpriced, disorganized, and good luck finding parking.

Jack Pearl

The Second City training center is past its prime. They are a shell of what they used to be and hold on to a list of alums from 15 years ago to make them seem relevant. If you want good training go to the Groundlings, which is better for character work, or UCB which is better for writing. The people running the conservatory at The Second City are bitter and unhelpful and I wish I would have seen that sooner. They want your money and are bitter they aren't more successful themselves. Specifically Norm Holly. Who actually used to get mad when I would try to talk to him about getting more notes after the first round of notes he gave made it apparent he wasn't really even watching. If you're tired of working somewhere...quit! Don't take it out on your students.

M M

Dumb! From their online portal system to the girl who answered the phone lacked common intelligence to even have a thoughtful informational conversation about the children's camp. She couldn’t answer one question on her own two feet without having to research the company website. Then after wasting my time tells me at the end the kids have to be vaccinated before be able to join the camp and that’s after I asked her wha their protocol was. Stupidest employee on earth and their portal system online doesn’t work. You’re paying almost $500 for 4 full days to teach kids how to be comedians on stage . You’re ripping parents off!!!! And the fact that you’re requiring children to be vaccinated is evil.