The Second City Almanac of Improvisation

The Second City Almanac of Improvisation, curated by Anne Libera, acts as both a historical repository and a practical workshop in book form. Unlike a traditional linear manual, this volume is a kaleidoscope of essays, interviews, and exercises that document the evolution of the "Chicago Style" of improvisation. It captures the oral history of The Second City, the theater that became the Mecca of American comedy, through the voices of the people who built it.

Anne Libera, the longtime Artistic Director of The Second City Training Center, organizes the chaos of fifty years of comedy into a structured exploration of the art form. The book traces the lineage of improv from the games of Viola Spolin to the satiric revues that launched the careers of Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Stephen Colbert. It is less a step-by-step "how-to" and more of a "why-to," offering deep context on the artistic principles that underpin the work.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its polyphony. It does not present a single, unified theory of improv but rather a collection of perspectives that sometimes complement and sometimes contradict one another. Readers can find Fred Willard discussing his early days, Tim Kazurinsky offering a masterclass on object work, and Mick Napier analyzing the mechanics of long-form versus short-form. This approach reflects the nature of The Second City itself: a collaborative environment where strong individual voices merge to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

The text covers the full spectrum of the improviser's toolkit. There are sections dedicated to "The Big Three" rules (which the book examines and complicates), content generation, and the specific demands of the revue format. Tina Fey's contribution on the process of "re-improvising," or refining improvised material into sketched scenes, is a highlight, offering a rare glimpse into the writing process of professional comedy.

Ultimately, the Almanac serves as a bridge between the classroom and the stage. It validates the struggles of the student while setting a high bar for the professional. It demonstrates that the funny is rarely accidental; it is the result of rigor, awareness, and a deep commitment to the truth of the moment.

The Second City Almanac of Improvisation is revered as a "bible" of the Chicago style. While some users find its anthology format less accessible than a linear textbook, most practitioners value it for the sheer density of wisdom it contains. It is often described as a book one "grows into," with different essays resonating at different stages of an improviser's career. It holds a unique place in the literature as one of the few books to document the transition from Spolin's educational games to the commercial stage work of The Second City.