Media Fellows Take Second City
Tina Fey. Steve Carell. Amy Poehler. Stephen Colbert. Loyola’s Media Fellows.
What do they have in common?
They all did improv at Chicago’s legendary The Second City.
Granted, Fey, Carell, Poehler and Colbert are famous comedians who got their start doing improv on The Second City stage.
But Loyola’s School of Communication Media Fellows got a taste of that experience, as they recently visited The Second City to take an improv workshop.
Under the guidance of two Second City performers/instructors, the 25 Media Fellows students performed a variety of improvisational skits at the original Second City location in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.
The workshop offered the Media Fellows a chance to improve their communication skills and build teamwork.
"I really enjoyed engaging with my peers in a comedic setting," said Media Fellow Ireland Kopsch, a freshman Multimedia Journalism major. “"It was really fun to see everyone's personality shine through and to get know the Fellows better."
The Second City workshop was not only fun and educational, but it also gave the Media Fellows another opportunity to explore the rich culture of Chicago.
“It was great to be able to practice my improv skills with my friends," said Media Fellow Dan Gorr, a freshman Communication Studies major. “I really enjoyed being able to work with such amazing performers: the instructors and my classmates."
The workshop was just one of the special activities for this inaugural class of Media Fellows, a select group of freshmen who will spend the next four years taking classes together and participating in special events and activities, travel, internships, community engagement and service projects.
Other outings have included a deep-dish pizza making class, a visit to Billy Goat Tavern for cheeseburgers, hot dogs at Portillo’s and later this spring, a trip to Wrigley Field for a tour and a Cubs game.
The Media Fellows also organized and operated Halloween and Valentine’s Day pop up events, lifting the spirits of Loyola students with games, crafts, candy and prizes.
Each year, a new group of freshmen are selected to be Media Fellows based on their academic performance, extracurricular accomplishments and their creativity. Incoming Loyola freshmen for the 2026-27 school year can apply here to be a Media Fellow: SOC Media Fellows: SOC Media Fellows Application
Story by John Slania • Photos by Paul Quinn • Mar. 10, 2026
Loyola Media Fellows Take the Stage at The Second City
Under the guidance of two Second City performers/instructors, the 25 Media Fellows students performed a variety of improvisational skits at the original Second City location in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.
The workshop offered the Media Fellows a chance to improve their communication skills and build teamwork.
"I really enjoyed engaging with my peers in a comedic setting," said Media Fellow Ireland Kopsch, a freshman Multimedia Journalism major. “"It was really fun to see everyone's personality shine through and to get know the Fellows better."
The Second City workshop was not only fun and educational, but it also gave the Media Fellows another opportunity to explore the rich culture of Chicago.
“It was great to be able to practice my improv skills with my friends," said Media Fellow Dan Gorr, a freshman Communication Studies major. “I really enjoyed being able to work with such amazing performers: the instructors and my classmates."
The workshop was just one of the special activities for this inaugural class of Media Fellows, a select group of freshmen who will spend the next four years taking classes together and participating in special events and activities, travel, internships, community engagement and service projects.
Other outings have included a deep-dish pizza making class, a visit to Billy Goat Tavern for cheeseburgers, hot dogs at Portillo’s and later this spring, a trip to Wrigley Field for a tour and a Cubs game.
The Media Fellows also organized and operated Halloween and Valentine’s Day pop up events, lifting the spirits of Loyola students with games, crafts, candy and prizes.
Each year, a new group of freshmen are selected to be Media Fellows based on their academic performance, extracurricular accomplishments and their creativity. Incoming Loyola freshmen for the 2026-27 school year can apply here to be a Media Fellow: SOC Media Fellows: SOC Media Fellows Application