Tuesday, February 18, 2014

THE SECOND CITY Training Center Pioneers New Improv For ASD Programs For Teens And Adults; Registration Now Open, Classes Start March 7, 2014


On January 30, 2014 AfriClassical posted:

THE SECOND CITY’S Outreach & Diversity Program Offers New Fellowship Auditions In February 2014 For Master Classes Starting In March

(February 13, 2014 Chicago, IL) The Second City Training Center is proud to launch its Improv for ASD curriculum, offering both teens and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders a unique 12-week mentoring and development experience that includes improv games and exercises to help with the exploration of relationships and social cues.  Registration is open now for Friday classes starting March 7.  Classes are 12 weeks for 90 minutes per week. Teens, aged 15-18, meet Friday afternoons, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.; Adult classes for ages 19+ take place Friday evenings, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

“We are so thrilled to be expanding our training programs to reach a new audience with Improv for ASD,” states Andrew Alexander, CEO & Executive Producer of The Second City, Inc. “The launch of this class falls right in line with our company's broad initiatives to make improvisation accessible to all.  We truly believe in the powers of improv to increase social skills, confidence and play at all ages... I welcome our new students into the Second City family.”

Improvisation in all forms improves wellness through encouraging teamwork and collaboration, building confidence, tying success to a model of listening and support of others, and creating a safe space to take a risk and encourage creativity. Improv for ASD is fine-tuned to help students on the autism spectrum break through various social barriers. Originally a piloted program in the summer of 2013 and further developed in collaboration with the Newmark School in New Jersey, these one-of-a-kind improv classes are facilitated by skilled Second City instructor Nick Johne.

“As a child psychologist, I routinely refer young people to Second City to improve their social skills and confidence,” says psychologist Dr. Robert E. Daniels of the Chicago Children's Clinic. “The improv workshops and camps perfectly complement what we do in therapy, providing an outlet for creativity and an opportunity to form strong friendships. Second City’s approach is consistent with the most cutting-edge research in positive psychology—children learn most efficiently when they are having fun with their friends. In short, I think that Second City is fantastic.”

Summer Camps for teens ages 15-18 will launch in Chicago and New Jersey this summer.

Improv for ASD
Classes will focus on ensemble and team building to help with the exploration of different relationships and social cues. Improvisational games used in this class will teach the students skills such as accessing emotions and storytelling. This will be done in a safe and fun setting where the students can explore and challenge themselves. Improvisation is a great tool to work through many types of barriers which stand in the way of creativity and socialization. Registration information is available at www.secondcity.com/training/chicago.

The Second City
The Second City is the leading brand in improv-based sketch comedy. With theaters and training centers in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood, 11 full-time touring ensembles, thriving corporate communications and theatricals divisions as well as television and film operations, The Second City has been called "A Comedy Empire" by The New York Times. The Second City Training Center has a current student body of 3,500 per week and is the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world.

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