UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — April 26, 2011 — NBCUniversal’s (NBCU) Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, announced today that acclaimed actor-comedian Ken Jeong (NBC’s “Community,†“The Hangoverâ€) will return as the spokesperson for the company’s 2011 “Stand-up for Diversity†talent search.
The national search seeks to find the funniest comics of diverse backgrounds and will be holding open calls in five major U.S. markets. The most-promising stand-up comedians will be awarded a talent holding deal with NBCU, along with other opportunities to be announced later this year.
The highly anticipated talent search begins in Chicago on June 13, followed by auditions in Toronto on July 25, Seattle on August 7, Dallas August 21 and New York on September 18. The search will culminate in Los Angeles with a final industry showcase in early December. The promising event will present the entire industry with a first look at the nation’s freshest comedic talent as selected by NBCU.
“NBCU is excited to enter its eighth year of ‘Stand-up for Diversity,’†said Carter. “Through this initiative, comedians have been able to launch new career milestones. Since the inception of the program, many participating comics have gone on to sign with top Hollywood managers, agents, and met with leading casting executives. Top “Stand-up for Diversity†finalists also had the opportunity to perform at the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) and have booked hundreds of college appearances through NBCU’s established partnership with NACA.â€
This year’s “Stand-up for Diversity†tour kicks off in Chicago on June 13 with an open call at Zanies Comedy Club — located at 1548 North Wells Street — where auditions will begin promptly at 10 a.m. The first 100 comedians will have the opportunity to perform a one-minute standup set. Based upon performance, a select group of semi-finalists will have a chance to perform live at the NBCU showcase the following evening where industry executives are invited to attend.
The process will repeat itself in each city and the audience response will be a factor in determining which comic (or comics) will be selected for the “Best of Stand-up for Diversity†finale in Los Angeles.
Open calls and showcases will be held at the following locations:
CHICAGO
Zanies Comedy Club
Auditions: Monday, June 13 (10 a.m. – 1p.m.)
Showcase: Tuesday, June 14 (8 p.m.)
TORONTO
Yuk Yuk’s
Auditions: Monday, July 25 (10 a.m.- 1 p.m.)
Showcase: Tuesday, July 26 (8 p.m.)
SEATTLE
Seattle Comedy Underground at Swannies
Auditions: Sunday, August 7 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Showcase: Monday, August 8 (8 p.m.)
DALLAS
Improv Comedy Club (Addison Improv)
Auditions: Sunday, August 21 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Showcase: Monday, August 22 (8 p.m.)
NEW YORK CITY
Gotham Comedy Club
Auditions: Sunday, September 18 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Showcase: Monday, September 19 (8 p.m.)
Prospective participants and audience members can check for details online at www.standupnbc.com or www.diversecitynbc.com.