This will be an attempt at a Chicago Improv FAQ page. There are some basic questions that people new to the area, or just visiting on-line, have and let’s try and answer as many as possible, shall we? Any and all suggestions are welcome! For more information, try the improv glossary elsewhere on this site.

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Q: Why is Chicago considered to be the “capital or Mecca of improv?”

There are many terrific groups performing improv around the world, but the modern-day version of long-form improvisation was primarily created, fostered and propagated in Chicago. It began with the Second City, which has been creating their legendary stage/scripted shows through improvisation for more than forty years, offering “free” sets of improv after the scripted shows. They occasionally offered workshops that taught improv.

Flash forward to the year 2002, and here in Chicago one can take improv classes from the following places: the Second City, ImprovOlympic, The Players Workshop, the Annoyance, Comedysportz and those are just the ones that offer a steady curriculum (as opposed to an occasional workshop.)

Also, here in Chicago there are several theaters devoted to showcasing improvisation both “long-“ and “short-form”. The Playground, The Factory Theater, Free Associates are some of the other places besides the aforementioned schools which are improv stages. Perhaps most importantly, improvised shows are reviewed by the mainstream press in Chicago and held to the same standards as scripted shows.

Also, and this is just a guesstimate, there are some 2000 people currently in class and/or performing improv in Chicago. This does not take into account those people who are former students/performers who occasionally return to the improv fold.

Q: What’s the best school to go to for improv?

Good question, young dragon. If you’re planning to move to Chicago for improv, first define why you are moving. That will help you make a decision. Go see a show at any of the aforementioned schools/theaters and if you leave thinking, “Boy, that’s something I would love to do!” then that’s the school for you. If you’re planning on moving here with a plan like “I’ll take classes here and then here and then here and then I’ll be on Saturday Night Live!” you are bound for disappointment.

Q: But don’t lots of SNL alum come from Chicago?

Yes, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be one of them. I hope you are, though, if that’s your goal. Think of the odds; there are hundreds of people taking classes at the same exact time you are in Chicago. There are tens of thousands of people in the country fighting for that one featured player slot on TV. I’m not being a pessimist, more of a realist.

Q: What’s the deal with Second City/ImprovOlympic/The Annoyance/the Playground?

The Second City creates scripted shows from improvised scenes. They teach how to do this in their school.

The ImprovOlympic teaches long-form improvisation. Students are asked to join improv teams that primarily perform The Harold, a type of long-form improvisation.

The Annoyance teaches scenic work and personal improvisational skills. They just opened a new space here in Chicago.

The Playground is a non-profit group that is run by a committee of players. Structured around a team roster of independent and Playground-created teams, they are entering their fifth year of existence.

Q: I’m planning on moving to Chicago to take classes- any leads on housing/jobs?

An excellent resource is the Chicago Reader. Housing listings are posted on Wednesday nights even though the print version comes out on Thursday afternoons. Lots of improvisers in Chicago are temps.

Q: I am the funniest person/the leader of my college/home town improv group. Doesn’t this mean I have an advantage over people in my class/ shouldn’t I get to start at Level 2 or 3?

No. It usually means just the opposite to tell the truth.

All of the schools here like to teach you what they teach. That’s why they exist- if you open yourself to learning new things you will achieve your goals, whatever they may be, much faster. It’s kind of like graduating high school; you may have been the most popular dude/chica in HS, but now you’re another freshman. I know- that sucks.

Q: Who’s this Del Close fellow? What’s his deal?

Del Close worked with Second City for many years. He co-founded the ImprovOlympic. His “deal” was this: he thought long-form improvisation could be a show. He thought it was an art form and would be accepted as one if the performers treated it as such. He created the Harold and taught many, many famously funny people how to be more so. He is revered by most of Chicago as the Father of Long-form. He died in 1999 and willed his skull to Chicago’s famed Goodman Theater where it resides in the artistic director’s office waiting for their next production of “Hamlet.” Honest.

Go here for more: http://www.improvolymp.com/del/index.html

And then go here: http://www.argosagency.com/features/DelCloseForever.html

Q: Who’s this Charna Halpern lady? What’s her deal?

Charna Halpern is the owner, operator, and Artistic Director of the ImprovOlympic. She co-created the Harold and is the co-author of “Truth in Comedy.” Her deal is this: she runs a theater where long-form improv is the backbone of the entire business. Split into two theaters, the ImprovOlympic Cabaret space is the exclusive domain of improv teams. She is improvdom’s most visible ambassador.

Q: Who’s this Mick Napier I keep hearing about? What’s his deal?

Mick Napier co-founded the Annoyance Theater and directed several award-winning Second City shows. He was a founding member of the ImprovOlympic as well. He occasionally teaches workshops when he’s not directing.

Go here for more: http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/mick.html

Q: My blood tastes funny. What should I do?

Cut down on the salt in your diet.

Q: What’s this I hear about a short-form vs. long-form debate?

That debate’s been going on for years. There is some snobbery involved. People become fanatically obsessed with their art, short or long, and sometimes wisecracks happen. There’s no official dispute however as all Chicago improv venues have people who perform/study/teach at another theater as well.

Q: Is it amazingly cold in Chicago?

Sometimes. The coldest it’s been in the past 5 years has been –20 with the windchill. If you’re not used to it, it’s pretty bad. There’s the old joke about Chicago weather; if you don’t like it, just wait 10 minutes- it’ll change. Bring some heavy winter clothes if you have… otherwise stock up when you get here at a Army Surplus store.