"Yes, And...": The Second City's Global Comedy Legacy
REGISTRATION
This event is for members of our Young Professionals network. For further information, please reach out to msefami@globalaffairs.org.
About This Event
Founded in Chicago in 1959, the Second City revolutionized modern comedy and has since been one of the city’s most globally influential cultural exports. It pioneered improvisational theater as an art form, creating a model that inspired comedy institutions and performers worldwide. Its alumni—including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Catherine O’Hara—have helped shape the tone of global television and film through shows like Saturday Night Live, The Office, and Schitt’s Creek, while the troupe’s sharp and socially aware humor has influenced sketch comedy traditions everywhere.
Join Grace Kessler Overbeke for a discussion on the history and impact of the Second City's blend of innovation and civic satire on the comedy world. Following the discussion, we'll put theory into practice with a social improv workshop where you'll experience firsthand the collaborative "Yes, and…" philosophy that has shaped creative and professional cultures around the world.
