The Second City Announces 2017 Bob Curry Fellows
By: Julie Musbach Mar. 18, 2017
The Second City is pleased to announce the 2017 recipients of the 4th Annual Bob Curry Fellowship; Terrance Carey, Dan Bazaldua, Eunji Kim, Sophia Rafiqi, LeLe Mason, Rolando Lep, Rob Wilson, Adrienne Brown, Damon Royster, Evan Mills, Atra Asdou, Jayson Acevedo, Riley Mondragon, Squeek Rangel, Brian Keys and Stephanie Branco.
The Bob Curry Fellowship is the first comedy fellowship of its kind offered at Second City Chicago and Toronto locations. The fellowship honors Second City's first African-American alum, Bob Curry, who performed on the Mainstage in 1966.
This year The Second City received one hundred ninety-two submissions for the NBC Universal Bob Curry Fellowship. 16 coveted fellows were selected for a master comedy program at The Second City, as the newest emerging voices in comedy.
"This program has been an extraordinary success in fostering new talent and important voices. I couldn't be more proud of the team that is making this happen year in and year out," said Andrew Alexander.
Qualifying actors and improvisers from diverse multicultural backgrounds train and study at Second City Chicago and Toronto. Taught by Second City's top instructors and directors, this unique fellowship boasts a rigorous master program for serious minded talent seeking a career in sketch comedy. The fellowship is tuition free and awarded to exceptional talent selected by audition and adjudicated by Second City directors and producers. Since the inaugural launch in 2015, over 50% of the graduating fellows were hired by Second City for careers in touring, resident stages, theatricals, cruise ships and the Training Center. This year's recipients will perform this summer, June 9-10, at the Annual Break Out Comedy Festival.
2016 Bob Curry Fellow and resident company member, Tien Tran stated, "The Bob Curry Fellowship completely changed my life, and I am so incredibly grateful for every door that it has opened up for me personally and professionally. Getting the chance to work alongside some of the most talented, creative, and thoughtful comedians I've ever met really pushed me to grow as a performer and a writer."
With four Bob Curry Fellows currently on The Second City Chicago resident stages, the success of this program cannot be understated. For more information please visit secondcity.com/diversity-outreach.
About The Second City
Beginning as a small cabaret theater on Chicago's north side in 1959, The Second City has grown to become a comedy empire, building a robust $55 million business based on its core improvisational methodologies. Resident theaters in Chicago and Toronto create topical sketch comedy revues that satirize politics, culture and news of the day. Additionally, Second City performs thousands of shows each year in regional theaters, colleges and performing arts centers. Beyond its stages, The Second City created the foremost school of improvisation-based arts in the world with training facilities in Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles that currently enrolls more than 11,000 students annually. The Second City also has a business division that works with hundreds of Fortune 500 companies in the areas of training, marketing, entertainment and brand services, and The Second City's forays into television and new media continues to produce new content and programming, including the classic, Emmy Award-winning comedy series SCTV.
NBCUniversal Talent Development & Inclusion hosts a variety of programs and events and partners with other entertainment entities to develop, nurture, showcase and provide networking opportunities for new and diverse actors, writers, directors and other talent. The programs include Late Night Writers Workshop, NBCUniversal Short Film Festival, NBCU Emerging Directors Program, Writers on the Verge, StandUp NBC, Scene Showcase, the Casting Apprentice Program and the Diverse Staff Writer Initiative, among others. For more information, please log onto www.nbcunitips.com.
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