Thursday, January 30, 2014

THE SECOND CITY’S Outreach & Diversity Program Offers New Fellowship Auditions In February 2014 For Master Classes Starting In March


(Thursday, January 30, 2014  Chicago, IL ) ----- The Second City is proud to announce the Bob Curry Fellowship offering actors of color a unique eight week mentoring and development opportunity that includes training in improv, sketch comedy writing and acting. The Bob Curry Fellowship is funded by The Second City’s Outreach & Diversity program and named for Second City alumnus, Bob Curry.

"It's fantastic to see how far we've come as an institution since we started our Outreach program in 1992,” states Andrew Alexander, CEO & Executive Producer of The Second City, Inc. “But the work is not done and I'm thrilled that our team has created such a valuable and intensive program of study that we can offer tuition free in the name of one of our treasured alumni who was a true trailblazer."

The 2014 Fellowship class will work with acclaimed Second City directors and instructors including Matt Hovde (Artistic Director of The Second City Training Center; Jeff Award-winning Second City Resident Stage Director), Anthony Leblanc (Director for The Second City Touring Company), Dionna Griffin-Irons (Director of Outreach & Diversity, Second City Alumni), Andy Eninger (The Second City Training Center - Head of Writing Program) and Rachael Mason (The Second City Training Center - Head of Advanced Improvisation).
Auditions for qualified actors of color will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 by appointment only at The Second City Training Center.  Headshots can be submitted by e-mailing outreach@secondcity.com for consideration January 30 - February 5th.  Auditions are by appointment only. Audition candidates should have completed a conservatory level improv program, have a degree in theater, or extensive stage experience.

The Fellowship program begins Monday, March 24 with master classes starting Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-7:00pm at The Second City Training Center.  The program will culminate in a showcase performance at The Second City e.t.c. stage.

Bob Curry
Bob Curry was the first African American improviser to perform as a member of The Second City Mainstage in 1966. After his tenure at The Second City, he continued to develop as an artist.  He was a Joseph Jefferson Award-winning actor and inspiring director who coached many actors of color in the Chicago theatre community including fellow Second City alumni Aaron Freeman on several projects and directing Paul Robeson at Kennedy-King College shortly before his death in 1994.

The Second City Outreach & Diversity Program
Created in 1992, the Outreach and Diversity program is Second City’s ongoing commitment to introduce the improv art form to new diverse voices, underserved communities and develop new talent by attracting exceptional performers and writers, teaching workshops to colleges and organizations and building new community partnerships.

The Second City
The Second City is the leading brand in improv-based sketch comedy. With theaters and training centers in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood, 11 full time touring ensembles, thriving corporate communications and theatricals divisions as well as television and film operations, The Second City has been called "A Comedy Empire" by The New York Times. The Second City Training Center has a current student body of 3,500 per week and is the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world.

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