The Chicago School (Close/Halpern Lineage)
1955-present
The lineage of improv running through Compass Players, Second City, iO, and their teachers — ensemble-centered, long-form-first, Harold as core discipline.
Known for
- Distinguishing features: long-form as primary, ensemble over individual, discovery over premise, listening as first discipline.
- Key teachers in the lineage: Viola Spolin → Paul Sills → Del Close → Charna Halpern → Susan Messing, TJ Jagodowski, David Pasquesi, Jimmy Carrane.
- Geographically specific: Chicago itself as pedagogical site, not just a brand. The walk-home culture, the bar-adjacent theaters, the weekly-rehearsal rhythm.
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Referenced by
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