Connect:

Funny Girls + The Second City

LEGENDARY COMEDY INSTITUTION THE SECOND CITY TEAMS UP WITH FUNNY GIRLS™ TO TEACH LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF GIRLS

Improv comedy and leadership development may seem like unlikely partners, but together they’re helping a new generation of girls find their voices. Funny Girls™, a social-emotional learning leadership program for girls in grades 3-8, has partnered with legendary comedy institution The Second City to bring its groundbreaking curriculum to even more communities through The Second City’s network of world-class teaching artists.

Read the full press release here.

What is Funny Girls™?

Founded in 2015, Funny Girls™ is an SEL leadership curriculum that uses improv to teach leadership skills to girls+ in grades 3-8. Our goal is to combat the confidence gap by giving each girl a microphone and a safe space to explore her voice and gain confidence. Using improv as a methodology, we activate learning through play to support the next generation of women leaders. We offer digital curriculum and trainings both in person and virtually so that FG can be in any school,anywhere in the world.  Funny Girls™ is a program of the Harnisch Foundation, investing in women’s leadership since 1998. Learn more.

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Interested in finding out more about our partnerships? Drop us an email: [email protected].

Media inquiries, please contact Jill Frutkin, Education Manager, at [email protected].

More about the second city

The Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world’s most influential name in improvisation and comedy, celebrating its 65th year in business in 2024. The Second City’s stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet. For decades The Second City’s corporate education and entertainment arm, Second City Works, has supported global businesses using the same methods pioneered on its stages to drive individual growth and organizational improvement. Learn more.

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what participants say about funny girls™:

“I loved the leadership/life skill conversations we had, as many of the topics and prompts invited open dialogues where we were able to address real life examples and situations.”
- YWCP Instructor
Rochester, NY
“I am braver.”
- Funny Girls student, 3rd grade
Brooklyn, NY
“I highly recommend this program for any organization looking for a unique and engaging way to teach young girls about leadership and life skills.”
- Henry Street Settlement Instructor
Lower East Side, NY
“I learned I’m not afraid to try something new.”
- Funny Girls student, 7th grade
Sarasota, FL
“I learned that being a leader means being responsible and communicating with your team with a proud voice.”
- Funny Girls student, 6th grade
Astoria, NY
“Leading the Funny Girls curriculum was a true highlight in my teaching career. Each lesson is thoughtfully designed and researched, creating the perfect environment for girls to open up about their personal experience with and understanding of each skill.”
- Henry Street Settlement Instructor
Lower East Side, NY
“I learned that leadership isn’t just bossing people around. It’s guiding people in the right direction, and learning with them.”
- Funny Girls student, 6th grade
Astoria, NY
“Being a leader feels good .”
- Funny Girls student, 4th grade
Sarasota, FL

What makes Funny Girls™ leadership curriculum stand out?

Improv opens the door

We’re often asked: Why use improv to teach leadership skills? Our research and experience have shown us that improv transforms the traditional classroom into a play space full of possibility. Using improv as a methodology, we activate learning key leadership skills through play: Self-Awareness, Learning Agility, Collaboration, Empathy, Creativity, and Resiliency.

Modern social and emotional learning (SEL)

We know that girls and gender expansive kids experience pivotal shifts in their development during the 3rd-8th grade years, and SEL-focused programs that build and retain confidence through those years are key. By giving each girl a microphone and a safe space to explore her voice, we strengthen their existing talents, introduce new leadership concepts and have fun doing it together.

Worldwide availability

Headquartered in New York City, we offer a digital curriculum and trainings both in person and virtually so that Funny Girls can be in any school, anywhere in the world.