The 1960s
9 milestones documented from 1960–1969.
Mike Nichols and Elaine May Open on Broadway
"An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May" opens on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre, running for 306 performances. The show demonstrates that improvisational comedy can reach mainstream audiences without sacrificing sophistication or intelligence. The Broadway success brings unprecedented national attention to the Chicago improv tradition and introduces character-driven, psychologically grounded improvised comedy to the American theatrical mainstream.
The Premise Opens in Greenwich Village, Bringing Compass Players' Improv Tradition to New York
Theodore J. Flicker, a former Compass Players member, opened The Premise on 22 November 1960 in a basement venue on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. Billed as presenting 'the newest form of dramatic entertainment: Improvisational Theatre,' the cabaret ran for approximately 1,249 performances and assembled a cast including Buck Henry, George Segal, Thomas Aldredge, Joan Darling, and James Frawley before closing in 1962.
The Second City Makes Its Broadway Debut
In 1961, The Second City sent a cast to Broadway for "From the Second City," earning Tony Award nominations for Severn Darden and Barbara Harris, with Alan Arkin appearing in the cast. The Broadway run established The Second City as a nationally visible institution rather than simply a Chicago experimental theatre. The production brought the company's satirical revue format to its highest-profile New York engagement and confirmed its place at the centre of American comedy.
The Committee Opens in San Francisco's North Beach
Alan Myerson and Jessica Myerson, both Second City alumni, opened The Committee on 10 April 1963 at 622 Broadway in San Francisco's North Beach neighbourhood. Named as a reference to the House Un-American Activities Committee, the company presented politically satirical improvisation and ran for nine years before disbanding in 1972, when three successor companies formed: The Pitchel Players, The Wing, and Improvisation Inc.
Viola Spolin Publishes "Improvisation for the Theater"
Northwestern University Press publishes "Improvisation for the Theater" by Viola Spolin, providing the first comprehensive written framework for theater games as a pedagogical and artistic practice. The book's 220 exercises, organized around principles of intuition, ensemble, and point of concentration, give theater educators a structured vocabulary for teaching improvisation. The book becomes a foundational text for theater programs worldwide and establishes improvisation as a legitimate theatrical discipline.
The Second City Moves to 1616 North Wells Street, Its Permanent Chicago Home
In 1967, The Second City moved from its previous Wells Street addresses to 1616 North Wells Street in Chicago's Old Town neighbourhood, the facility it has occupied ever since. The 1616 Wells Street building expanded the company's capacity and gave it a permanent institutional home. The same year, Del Close joined the company as director, beginning a teaching relationship with Second City ensembles that would define the rehearsal culture of Chicago comedy for the following three decades.
Del Close Joins The Second City as Director
Del Close begins his tenure as director and teacher at The Second City, where he develops a more experimental and ensemble-focused approach to improvisational theater. Close becomes one of the most influential teachers in improv history, working with performers who go on to become foundational figures in American comedy. His emphasis on commitment, truth, and the power of the ensemble over individual stardom shapes an entire generation of improvisers.
Theatre Machine Founded by Keith Johnstone
Keith Johnstone founded Theatre Machine in 1967 with Ben Benison, Roddy Maude-Roxby, Richard Morgan, and Anthony Trent, establishing Britain's first pure improvisational theatre troupe.
Theatre Machine Begins European Tour
Theatre Machine began touring across Europe in 1968, performing improvisation exercises under the labels of 'classes' and 'lectures' to circumvent British censorship laws still in force under the Lord Chamberlain.