The same comedy troupe that worked with the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers and Tina Fey will be making a stop in Ames this Saturday to perform their act at CY Stephens Auditorium.

The show will feature young and upcoming comedians performing topical skits and fast-paced improvisation.

Dana Quercioli, one of the comedians in the Second City cast, has worked with the touring company since a fellow actor in a college production of “Death of a Salesman” suggested she enroll in Second City’s acting classes.

Before graduating from their acting conservatory, Quercioli auditioned to be in one of Second City’s main-stage productions.

“I graduated from the conservatory on March 24, 2002, and I was hired to be on the main-stage company on March 26,” Quercioli said.

She has worked with the touring company ever since.

Quercioli said she is inspired by many of the comedians who have worked for Second City and have gone on to perform in shows such as “Saturday Night Live,” as well as many blockbuster comedies.

“They’re these people who are so amazing. It takes so much perseverance to get to those levels. It’s so competitive, and it’s such a long road, so I think the determination is astounding,” Quercioli said. “Of course there is the talent, charm and charisma that most people possess, but a lot of it is the hard work, and I admire that.”

Mary Sohn, another Second City cast member, discovered she had a talent for acting when Second City came to her college in Chicago. She graduated from the conservatory and began working as an understudy for a main-stage production and also on another production on a cruise ship before she became a part of the touring company.

Although she wasn’t involved in acting when she was younger, Sohn said she noticed she had a passion for many elements that are a part of theater when she was growing up.

“I always thought theater was whimsical. I also liked the idea of relationships as a kid, and I think that really has a lot to do with theater and that’s what really drew me towards theater,” Sohn said.

Sohn said the purpose of the Second City productions and performances are to help the audience explore different political topics with humor and see viewpoints from outside their own little world.

“It’s really there to make people think about these world events, national events, social and political satire. It’s the idea that as they are driving home from their show into their garages, they think about what the scenes were really about on a deeper level,” Sohn said.

Second City has aimed at making audiences think since the beginning, Sohn said, and they still have the same goal today.

“It’s funny because Second City has been around for almost 50 years now. It’s timeless, I think,” Sohn said.