Second City space to double in size

While iO moves into its new space this month, Second City has announced some plans to expand its current location. Outside of the comedy destination's theaters and training spaces, the Piper's Alley building has looked pretty barren the last few years, and Second City is finally taking over the vacant floor once occupied by the AMC movie theater. This expansion will more than double Second City's footprint in the building, adding 25,000 square feet to its existing 20,300. The added space will focus on training facilities including classrooms, two student theaters, a screening room, student resource center, student lounge and bar, plus two large event spaces. With this development, Second City hopes to better accommodate the waiting lists for their improvisation and writing courses and give students more time on stage, while keeping them in under the same roof as the professional theaters.