The Second City Announces Auditions for Bob Curry Fellowship

After a successful program launch in 2014, The Second City is proud to announce the 2015 Bob Curry Fellowship program. Headshot and resume submissions will be accepted January 13-16, 2015. The program runs from March 31 – June 2.

The Bob Curry Fellowship program offers actors of color a unique eight week mentoring and development opportunity that includes training in improv, sketch comedy writing and acting. The program is funded by The Second City’s Outreach & Diversity program and named for Second City alumni, Bob Curry.

Many of the 2014 program graduates have been hired by The Second City. Contracts include The Second City e.t.c. (Lisa Beasley and Rashawn Nadine Scott), The Second City Touring Company (members Chucho Perez; understudies Ali Barthwell, Peter Kim, Dewayne Perkins, Rashawn Nadine Scott), Theatricals (Torian Miller, Niccole Thurman and Travis Turner) and Norwegian Cruise Lines (Lauren Malara and Patrick Rowland). Rashawn Nadine Scott and Travis Turner were also featured in this fall’s collaboration with Hubbard Street Dance, The Art of Falling.

The 2015 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 Wednesday, January 21, 2015 by appointment only at The Second City Training Center. Headshots can be submitted by emailing outreach@secondcity.com for consideration January 13-16. 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 Tuesday, March 31 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 theatres 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.