Campus funny guy Mark Campbell accepted to Second City Conservatory

Jessica Pacetti
Staff Writer

Mark Campbell, ’12, was recently accepted into the Second City Conservatory. 

The Conservatory is a place for people to study improvisation as an acting technique. 

These techniques are then used to develop a Second City-style revue in the program. 

While students are studying at the Conservatory, they will learn and build upon the fundamentals of improvisation, explore forms and styles, advance their scenic and characters skills, and learn how to use improvisation to create material for a satiric comedy.

Students progress through different levels.  After certain levels come special privileges.  

Students in levels 3-5 can perform in two different theaters.  Level 6 students have the chance to perform a weekly show in The Second City.

Campbell started his career in comedy and theater by joining the speech team at his high school.   

From the beginning of the school year until February, Campbell was involved in competition for the Glenbard West High School speech team. 

When speech ended, he then was involved in the spring plays at his school.

When Campbell came to North Central College, he became involved in the Late Night Improv group, and eventually became the president of the group.

“Improv is such an amazing experience,” Campbell said. 

“Improv is based on support. You don’t think about yourself, you support one another and the true memorable moments lie in what other people have done.”

Campbell also did a one act stand-up on campus.  He also performs stand up at the Comedy Shrine. 

Campbell’s dad knew someone, who knew someone, who knew someone else, who knew the owner and arraigned a meeting between the owner and Campbell to meet. 

When Campbell first started to work at the Comedy Shrine, he worked the lights which led to taking classes at the Shrine, leading to filling in for an absent cast member, which finally led to Campbell being a member at the Comedy Shrine.

  This year Campbell applied for the Second City Conservatory. 

He heard about the chance to apply through some people at the Comedy Shrine who are alumni from the Second City. 

In order to apply, an applicant has to be at least 19 years old, have one year of improv experience and experience in an acting class outside of the classroom. 

According to Campbell, the application is only about half an hour long with 15 other people in a room.

“It can be a little intimidating at first because it’s hard to shine with 15 other people in the room. But it was fun to meet different people.”

After the process, each group has a few people selected and Campbell was one of the few to be selected.

“Being part of the Second City Conservatory is honestly incredible.  I am really excited to be in that environment and to meet new people who have done it 10 years or are new like me,” said Campbell. 

“It will be fun to relate with new people and learn new styles of improv.” 

After college Campbell plans on eventually moving to Chicago to be in the city filled with opportunity for theater.  He also plans on reaching all the levels in the Second City Conservatory and take classes at Improv Olympic.

“I would love to do this for the rest of my life.  It would not be a job, it would be a passion of mine,” Campbell said. 

“I hope, though, that my company will take me places to travel and experience new places and absorb in different lifestyles and locations.”