There’s no magic formula for comedy, but for the members of Second Nature Improv, there is a method to the madness. This USC independent student group (ISP) has built its reputation on mastering “the Harold,” an intricate form of long-form improvisation that transforms into an interconnected web of scenes, characters and games. While “the Harold,” which was pioneered by comedy legend Del Close, offers rich opportunities for comedy, it presents a unique challenge for performers.

“It’s very challenging to understand it at first,” said Second Nature Improv member Eli Buettner (BA Theatre, Emphasis in Comedy ’28). “But as you do it more and more, a couple of times a week, it starts to kind of click. And now it’s second nature.”

Hence the name.

Founded in 2002 with a mission of diversifying the styles of improv comedy on campus, Second Nature Improv embraced this sophisticated approach, which has served as the heart of their comedy ever since.

“We start with the strong idea of ‘game,’ which is the funny thing, the unusual thing,” said group member Dani Brown (BA Theatre, Emphasis in Comedy ’27). “The Harold provides a lot of opportunity for comedy just to come from the structure of the show itself.”

The other secret to Second Nature Improv’s success is the tight-knit and laid-back nature of the group.

“We’re chill,” laughed group president Ian Grady (BA Theatre, Emphasis in Acting ’25). “We’re creating a safe, fun, enjoyable environment where you don’t need to be stressed out.”

“This is a group of friends that really likes spending time together and isn’t just here for improv,” added Brown. “They’re here for this community.”

The group’s laid-back dynamic starts at the audition process at the beginning of each school year. Many of Second Nature Improv’s members were attracted by the group’s inviting presence, which created a relaxing, stress-free environment even during the sometimes-hectic audition process.

For first-year students like Jordyn Abercrombie (BA Theatre, Emphasis in Acting ’28), that made all the difference.

“I was not going to audition at all. It was 30 minutes before the audition, and I got very nervous,” Abercrombie said. “But I felt, ‘Okay, I can naturally be myself in this room.’ And it makes it feel so much more comfortable. When you’re that comfortable, it can make you feel okay to do something outside your comfort zone, like improv.”

Improvisation and collaboration

One thing that makes the USC comedy community so special is the opportunity to collaborate with different student groups, an opportunity Second Nature Improv takes full advantage of.

Although Second Nature Improv was established as an alternative to campus mainstay Commedus Interruptus, the groups now frequently work together and collaborate on shows and material.

“It’s all love,” said Grady. “We try to work together as a comedy community rather than as a bunch of individual groups.”

“It’s nice to be able to do shows with other troupes. That’s something we do a lot,” said Brown. “We’ve done them with Commedus and the Merry Men.”

Not content to limit their collaboration to comedy troupes on campus, Second Nature Improv is currently in the midst of busily planning Fracas!—their annual improv comedy festival at USC, which happens to also be the largest intercollegiate improv festival in the United States.

Set to take place at venues around USC on March 28 and 29, Fracas! will feature 16 college improv troupes, including some coming from as far away as Boston, Mass. In addition to numerous performances, the festival will feature celebrity panels, including one featuring SDA faculty member and improv comedy legend Wayne Brady, a workshop with Professor Zachary Steel (who serves as director of comedy at SDA), and a guest performance from The Groundlings’ The Crazy Uncle Joe Show.

“Seeing a company of professional improvisers that are able to make a living off it is so inspiring for a lot of collegiate improvisers,” Brown said. “Last year they knocked everyone’s socks off. We’re looking forward to welcoming them back again.”

While planning for Fracas! takes most of their time, Second Nature Improv makes ample time for group activities and fostering friendships. For members of the group, ISPs at USC are one of the bedrocks that make student life on campus so enjoyable.

“I feel like [the ISPs] are student life at USC,” Grady said. “Being able to talk face to face, student to student, with people who are doing comedy is wonderful, and allows us to connect really well.”

“If you come to college at USC and you only want to focus on academics, you’re not taking advantage of all the resources that USC has to offer,” Buettner said. “The improv groups, the sketch troupes, the Stunt Team—all of these theatrical-based student groups give life to SDA as a whole. They add subcategories where everyone has a place, and everyone can find something that they love to do or want to do better.”

As Second Nature Improv looks to the future, they hope to continue offering a safe, comfortable space for students to make friendships and practice improv comedy while fostering collaboration with comedy groups, both at USC and around the country. “Second Nature is such a strong ‘third space’ for all of us, which is so helpful for college students,” Brown said. “It’s a very supportive community as a whole.”