How Does It All Survive in Chicago?
I’ve recently moved to Chicago, and I’m absolutely baffled at how so many improvisation troupes can survive in this city. Not only is iO running shows every night of the week, but you also have The Playground, CiC, ComedySportz, Second City, The Annoyance, and tons of independent troupes doing bar-prov all over the city. I understand that the community is incestuous, but I’m wondering if there’s more to this improv culture here than just students watching students.
I brought this up recently in a bar with my friend, Doug Hyde (not his real name). Doug did the Second City Conservatory and is currently performing with ComedySportz in what is known as their “rec league.” He has a theater degree from BU and is considered a “rising star” in the improv scene. How much money does he make off of improv? $0. How much has he spent? I can’t begin to wonder. But he does this stuff basically seven nights a week, and so does his girlfriend.
Is this all we’re all doing here, giving our money to teachers and then performing for one another? Is this about the pure joy, or does everyone here think they’re going to be big someday? (I can tell you that there are plenty of people who are definitely not having fun on stage here, so you can forget the pure joy theory.) Is everyone hoping to make a Second City company? I’m not sure, but I don’t think anyone else pays except ComedySportz. I’m sure people have self-produced improv shows and succeeded, but I’m betting it’s the exception rather than the rule.
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