Lessons learned from my most recent trip to Second City
I’ve always noticed how polished and smooth Second City is compared to other sketch.
- No need for involved costumes and props. If your mime is good, you’re all set.
- Related to that, it’s much more smooth and enjoyable for the audience if the transitions between scenes are, like, 5 seconds.
- Two to three line, quick joke scenes are good pallate cleansers, but you can only do them if you have the short transitions mentioned above.
- Topical scenes for a live show that you will be performing many times work best if they refer to a trend rather than a specific event.
- It really shows when your blocking is super-tight and choreographed.
- Having a live accompanist helps. (Also true for improv, as demonstrated by iO)
- Songs at the beginning or end of an act are never a bad idea.
