Ali Barthwell
About Ali Barthwell
Ali Barthwell is a Touring Company Director at The Second City, where she has worked since 2020. She is also an Improv & Sketch Writing Instructor and a freelance writer with contributions to notable publications.
Current Role at The Second City
Ali Barthwell serves as the Touring Company Director at The Second City, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she oversees the operations and performances of the touring company, contributing to the organization's reputation for high-quality improvisational comedy. Barthwell also works as an Improv & Sketch Writing Instructor at The Second City, a position she has maintained since 2017, where she educates aspiring comedians and writers in the art of improvisation and sketch writing.
Previous Experience at The Second City
Barthwell has a history with The Second City, having been a Touring Company Ensemble Member from 2015 to 2016 and an Understudy from 2014 to 2015. Additionally, she worked as an Outreach Teaching Apprentice/Instructor from 2010 to 2013, where she engaged with the community through educational programs. Her involvement with The Second City reflects her commitment to both performance and education in the field of comedy.
Freelance Writing and Other Roles
Since 2015, Barthwell has been a Freelance Writer for New York Magazine, contributing articles and insights to the publication. Her writing has also appeared in notable outlets such as Vulture, the Chicago Tribune, and The A.V. Club. In addition to her writing, she has experience in event production, having worked as a Freelance Event Production professional at agencyEA from 2011 to 2012.
Educational Background
Barthwell holds a Bachelor's degree in French from Wellesley College, where she studied from 2006 to 2010. She also studied at Aix-Marseille University for one year in 2008-2009, furthering her expertise in the French language. Her educational background supports her diverse career in performance, writing, and teaching.
Performances and Contributions
In addition to her teaching and directing roles, Barthwell performs with the group Sweet Tease and has appeared in Netflix shows such as 'Easy' and 'Win it All.' She was also a member of the inaugural Bob Curry Fellowship at The Second City and received the Puma/LOL Diversity Scholarship, highlighting her contributions to diversity and inclusion in the arts.