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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.