Just a few days ago I read on a cast member’s blog about The Second City Touring Company being dissolved—awful news, considering that six very talented actors, and their musical director are now unemployed. And no matter how you spin it, it reflects badly on the company as well… For example, getting a an audition for the Touring Company is a big reason why many students go through the Conservatory program at the Training Centre, so this news is almost certainly going to affect the graduating class that I’m about to take on.
What I didn’t know was that the powers that be also saw fit to fire Peter Sherk, pictured above on tour with yours truly in China in September of 2001. I’ve worked with Peter since my first day on the Second City mainstage in 1993, and was fortunate enough to go overseas with him three times, twice to Asia and once to Bosnia-Herzegovina. In fact, Peter holds the unique honour of being the only person to have ever aimed a loaded grenade launcher at me!
I know I’ll have the pleasure of working with Peter again, and I’ll go out of my way to do it. If Second City is foolish enough to let this guy go, then as far as I’m concerned they don’t deserve to have him.
Andrew Currie 
6 responses to “Peter Sherk: Stage Manager No More?”
I graduated from level E and due to circumstances did not continue I have to say that sadly enough I’m happy that I didn’t. Still keeping in contact with a few conservatory folks they all seem a little upset about the state of Second City and truly many of them wanted to continue but since the whole system fell apart they don’t really know what to do. I’m not one to do this but I really think someone should try and build a project like Second City to rival them. It’ll either wipe them out completely or leave a stronger Improv/Theater company or each will feed off the other creating lots of work for actors and lots of great theater. I know Bad Dog is trying and they may be the ones to do it, the problem is when people come from out of town they’ve rarely heard of Bad Dog, Second City is unfortunately the tourist only choice.
Hey Chris,
Interesting that you should bring this up… Al Howell, Jack Mosshammer and I have been talking about holding master classes of our own since the summer. We tried to secure a weekend afternoon in the back room of the Rivoli, but so far have only the Blue Moon at Queen & Broadview as a possible class and performance space.
Just out of interest, would anyone reading this be interested in such a thing?
Yes! Yes! I love the idea of master classes….!
Thanks for letting me know, rufus—and nice blog, btw—now all we need is another 11 students and we’re in business!
😉
Lets do it. You bring the gas, and and we’ll bring the matches. Fire it up!
Peter Sherk was the first stage manager I ever had the pleasure of working with – as an apprentice ASM straight out of Niagara College.
He was WILD and fun and I loved working with him. Was is ASM on more time at Huron Country Playhouse in the early 80s.
What a guy! Whoever employs him now is one lucky theatre company.