Sam Karagas, a senior at GNHS, has always been a performer. Karagas has taken dance and vocal classes, and she has also been involved with Second City for more than five years.
Second City is a well-known school of theater and improvisation in Chicago, IL. Some famous comedians who got their start at Second City include: Tina Fey, Jason Sudeikis, Bill Murray, and Stephen Colbert.
“Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey are my idols; I think they are great actors and hilarious. I absolutely love comedy” Karagas said.
When Karagas was 12 years old, she was encouraged by her vocal teacher, Ms. D. Since then, she has always been involved with the Teen Youth Ensemble.
“My parents signed me up for vocal classes even though I am not a great singer. Ms. D pushed me to go into acting, and through that I found Second City. I started taking classes, and then I joined the Youth Ensemble. I have been a part of it since,” she said.
During the summer, Karagas goes to the theater every Tuesday and Thursday all day, and now currently only goes to the theater every Saturday all day.
“I spend all of my time there. I have met so many people including my best friends, Maddie and Claire. We are all a big family,” she said.
In her free time, Karagas loves to watch comedies. Her favorites include: Saturday Night Live, Brooklyn Nine Nine, and Portlandia.
“I’m all about comedy, especially political satires,” she said.
Karagas has written and performed her own work. She has even performed on the main stage.
“That was a huge deal because so many well-known comedians have performed on that stage; it was a really great experience,” she said.
Her past performances include different types of improvs, one liners, and also independent films.
Because of her long background with the theater, Karagas has also been casted to independent films through Second City.
“The film was called Super Dad. It was a one line thing, but it was my first acting moment,” she said.
Karagas has big goals for the future. She wants to go to school for screenwriting and one day write for Saturday Night Live and maybe even have her own show.