This past semester, I have been studying in Chicago at the Second City Training Center. While living in the Windy City, I have been writing a column of the Saint Rose newspaper, The Chronicle. But, do to my lack of timeliness and urgency, I managed to miss the deadline to get my last Chit Chat From Chicago published. So now, I get to share my final words of wisdom with all of you.
I debated for a while as to whether or not I should write a final Chit Chat from Chicago. I mean does anybody even read these besides my mom? Nonetheless, here I am sitting in my PJs at 1 in the afternoon, procrastinating the rest my to-do list so I can pen my final article.
My time at Second City is over, for now at least, and I like to think that if I don’t acknowledge my departure in a few days, then it isn’t true. It’s so hard to believe that I am done here. It honestly feels like it was only the other day that I moved into my apartment, took my first walk down to Second City, and hugged my mom goodbye as she headed back to New York. It’s hard to realize that within only a handful of days I will perform in the final showcase we have all been preparing for this semester and hug some of the greatest people I have ever met goodbye. Then, watch the city I now consider home disappear under the clouds as I head back to home.
Despite my obvious sadness towards the situation, I can’t help but pinch and remind myself that I just got to live a dream of mine.
To avoid the preaching of "savoring the moment" and "being happy that it happened," I would like to share with all of you the important lessons I learned from studying at Second City. And no, you don’t have to be a comedian or improviser to take something away from them.
Improvisation
At orientation, our improv teacher, Norm Holly, sat on the stage with steampunk style sunglasses, a leather jacket, and a cup of coffee. An intimidating getup to a bunch of comedy newbies, but inspiring at the same time. We all secretly hoped that someday we could exude that same type of confidence. At the time, I didn’t think that that hope would happen by the end of this semester. But guess what, it did.
Throughout the semester, I don’t know if any of us knew what exactly Norm thought was funny, or what he even thought of us. Which caused some slight anxiety when going into class first thing Monday morning. But as the semester progressed, I felt less and less worried as to whether or not he laughed or what he thought of me.
Norm’s class taught me something very important, not only as a comedian but also as a person in general. His class taught me to go with my gut instinct. Yes there are going to be times when you want to make someone laugh, but what you think is funny might not be what they think is funny. And even if that is the case, if they see you are having fun they in turn will start to have fun too. Norm helped me to realize that being more confident in my choices would bring me so much more success and pleasure than trying to do what someone else wants me to do.
Comedic Acting
If you have read any of my previous articles, I talk about my acting teacher Rachael Mason. Honestly one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. She pushed us to fail, but in doing so, we were able to learn so much more from our mistakes than our successes. I learned from her that honesty is a far better tool when it comes to life’s expectations, then someone trying to sugar coat the truth and beat around the bush. Not only was she able to teach us how to fail and therefore succeed, but she also inspired us to be the best that we could be both on and off stage. She allowed us to have fun with our scenes and in class, to explore possibilities and avenues we would not normally be given the chance too, and that there is no one way to say a line.
With the last lesson she taught us, there is no one way to say a line, I feel like it translates very well into real life. The idea that is no one way to approach a situation. Sometimes you are going to find that the way you have been handling a situation is not always the best. Sometimes you need to change it, and you will find greater success in that change. A lesson that expands far beyond the stage.
History of Comedy
It's hard to imagine that I could have learned life lessons from a history class, but believe me this history class was taught by no ordinary teacher. Anne Libra, who is the head of the whole Comedy Studies program, knows anything and everything about comedy and topics remotely similar. Besides that obvious fact of learning so much about the history of comedy and all that jazz, I also learned a key point that I think pertains to everyone.
Anne taught us all to find what you love and pursue it, know all you can about it, and enjoy exploring it more. It was clear that Anne had just as much enjoyment telling us the history of Second City or the true story behind the Fatter Arbuckle’s scandal just as much as we loved learning about it. Her never ending passion and enthusiasm instilled in me, that no matter what it is, you can find that one thing you absolutely love and share your knowledge on it with those around you.
Voice and Movement
Taught by Dean Evans, a quiet yet beyond talented performer, the class was there to help us incorporate more energy and motivation into our improv, writing and acting. Probably the first physical class I didn’t mind going to and getting sweaty. Nonetheless, it might be hard to believe that I learned something from a movement class, but this class helped me to bring all of the other stuff I was learning together and actually put it to use. Dean helped me to realize that it is OK to be vulnerable.
After having a rather difficult and emotional fall semester, I felt as though I had to keep everything tightly lock up. But Dean helped me to challenge that and open up more, whether it be to just trust someone to catch me or dance like a weirdo in front of everyone-- performer or not, you should definitely do at some point, it is so much fun. His class helped me to get out of my head and focus on my work. Dean also helped me to realize that once I opened up and became vulnerable, I created some of my best work. It might be hard to drudge up something from the past, but use that to help fuel your drive for the future.
Her final words of wisdom were “If anyone shits on your dreams, tell them to go fuck themselves." One of my favorite teachers of all times, Jen Ellison, was--as my friend Guy said-- “A teacher with the heart of a student." Essentially, Jen would come into class with an agenda and lesson for the day, but was willing to take the time to crack a joke or join in on a stupid bit. Jen never treated us like kids, but rather like professionals in a writers room. What I loved about Jen was her ability to tell you what needed to be fixed in your sketch without it sounding like she was nitpicking minor details and gave useful feedback. Not to mention, she always told you what was good about your work, which for someone who is never confident in her work, was very helpful.
I learned so much from Jen, but the most import lesson was to “write stuff that makes you laugh, not what makes others laugh”. In a society that is so concerned with conforming to each other, this lesson is so valuable. Not to mention that her lesson reminds you to put yourself first, and once you do the rest will fall into place. She also helped to instill in all of us to be weird. On the last day of class, she gave us a “talk” on what to expect after finishing Comedy Studies. I tried to write down as much as I could. On one page in my notebook I have two phrases starred, underlined, and bolded. I feel like these phrases are universal and apply to life in general; “Try weird bullshit” and “Give less fucks.”
Well I have reached that point in my article where I ask myself, “Did I just write a thousand plus words knowing that probably no one other than my mom and her co-workers are going to read?” The answer, most likely yes. But for those few who did manage to stick around until the end, I hope that I have been able to give you some kind of inspiration to whatever it is that you might be doing. It has been a pleasure attempting to translate the lessons from my comedy program into ones for ‘normal’ people. I am eager to see what life lessons I am able to sarcastically present you all with next.
Until next time, Katie.
