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Posts in category "classes"

A Chicago Guide for the Intense

It’s June! When an improv school makes the completely altruistic and noble move of creating a Summer Intensive program. People (mostly young folks) come to Chicago for weeks at a time to study for hours a day. No matter which institution you attend, the program is, well, intense. We could go on and on debating... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
May 31, 2011 at 11:19 am
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Comedy is Top Heavy

This past weekend we were graced by the presence of Maya Rudolph and Darrell Hammond on SNL. And is that a good thing or a bad thing? While it’s great that those people come back to reprise their characters and use their prodigious talents again (and maybe, just maybe surreptitiously plug their upcoming movie), couldn’t those parts... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
May 12, 2011 at 12:34 pm
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Mary Scruggs, co-author of "Process: An Improvisers Journey", passes away.

Mary Scruggs was a gracious, funny, smart lady. I barely knew Mary. She and I both had shows running at the Live Bait Theater many, many years ago and our paths often crossed. We shared our complaints and praise of doing one-person shows there. She was the Head of Writing and Education Programs for the... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
January 12, 2011 at 1:20 pm
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The Standard Rich & Famous Contract

Is Improv the Road to Hollywood (or NYC)? Is that all it’s good for? It’s seems to be the accepted reasoning that the ultimate goal of any endeavor in the performing arts is a movie or TV deal. Even accomplished musicians and singers strive to be get their own series or act in a movie... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
September 24, 2010 at 11:43 am
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Look Back in Cacky - 20 Years of Improv

One of my favorite improvisers when I first started here in Chicago was Craig Cackowski (or “Cacky.”) He has the magnificent power of being intelligent, gentle and sweet all at the same time without letting any of those qualities get in the way of being goddamn hilarious.  He moved out to LA some years ago... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
June 29, 2010 at 2:12 pm
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Angela Lansbury's Advice for Performers

When I was growing up my brother Jonathan was in the Broadway run of The King & I. That run (in the late 70s) starred Constance Towers and Yul Brynner, but when they went on vacation it was Angela Lansbury who played Mrs. Anna.  I remember that she was very sweet and very nice. It... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
June 14, 2010 at 4:42 am
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You Want Fame? Well, Fame Costs...

Becoming a lead actor on one of televisions most popular shows is all about luck and who you know, right? Jenna Fischer is on The Office and in a slew of recent comedies. On the website, The Daily Actor, Jenna talks about how she worked as a temp, did tons of free shows and wore... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
March 25, 2010 at 4:30 pm
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Second City, Coffee, Sneakers & YOU!

Second City has teamed with two different corporations to offer two new contests. The first contest is a YouTube video submission in partnership with Keurig, makers of delicious coffee stuffs. They say, “Chicagoans are known for having a sense of humor and today’s “water cooler” is the office coffee machine, the popular hub of humor... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
March 23, 2010 at 6:04 pm
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To Texas n Back

Texas is now the home to TWO brand-new spanking theaters devoted to long-form improvisation. Dallas Comedy House and The New Movement Theater. Here’s some photos from my trip to the Lone Star Stage, uh, State... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
February 8, 2010 at 2:42 pm
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The Stars At Night / Are Big 'N' Bright...

One of the best things about my “job” / what I do for a living, is visiting other places and seeing their improv world, maybe play in a show, or teach a class or two. Last year, I was lucky enough to visit Australia for a month to extend the reach of Good Lady Improv... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
February 2, 2010 at 10:49 am
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