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The Best of The Second City: Chicago-Style

The Best of The Second City:

Chicago-Style

Please silence all devices and refrain from taking photos during the performance.

Second City is a professional production employing members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers.

RICH ALFONSO

RICH ALFONSO is stoked to be a part of the Touring Company along with these amazing people! He was a recipient of the 2016 NBC/Universal Bob Curry Fellowship and has trained in improvisation all over Chicago. Rich has worked with the Second City as a cast member of Urban Twist, The Second City’s Black History Month Show, touring aboard Norwegian Cruise Line and as an understudy for the ETC Resident Stage. Other credits include being a featured performer in the the 2019 NBC Break Out Comedy Festival, his two man team Spic & Tan and his solo show I.C.E. Box which was featured on WBEZ Radio and NPR. He is represented by Big Mouth Talent. Follow Rich on Twitter/Instagram/TikTok @rich_alfonso

KENNEDY BALDWIN

Kennedy Baldwin (Ensemble) is an improviser, writer and actress born and raised in Chicago. She attended Western Illinois University, where she studied music business. She started taking improv classes at The Second City at the beginning of 2016 and has been in love with it ever since! In 2019, Kennedy completed the Severn Darden Graduate Program, and in 2020, she was a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship at Second City. She now produces the smallprov show at Logan Square Improv.

KARL BRADLEY

Most merely adopt the laughter. Karl Bradley (Ensemble) was born in it, molded by it. Karl didn’t hear the laugh track until already an adult, and by then, found it nothing but deafening. Karl is unrepresented, emotionally.

JENELLE CHEYNE

JENELLE CHEYNE originally hails from Vancouver, Canada and is delighted to be a part of The Second City Touring Company. She is an actor, writer, comedian and frequent water aerobics participant. You can also see her perform at The Annoyance. Check her out online too! @jamealchameal

GEORGE ELROD

GEORGE ELROD (he/him/they/them) A native Arkansan, GEORGE ELROD wrote and performed in Second City’s first original LGBTQ sketch revue, Salute to Pride: Not Safe for Werk. TV credit includes HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. Other Chicago sketch/improv comedy credits include Trigger Happy (Annoyance Theatre), Deck the Hallmark (Second City), and Let’s Make it Perfectly Queer (Second City). George is an alumni of DePaul University, and represented by Grossman & Jack Talent. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Justin, & Comet for their love and support! Follow him on Twitter & Instagram: @XoGossipGeorge

HANNAH INGLE

HANNAH INGLE (she/her) originally from Missouri, has been living and performing in Chicago since 2014. A former member of Second City’s Severn Darden Graduate Program, Hannah can be seen performing comedy all around the city. Hannah particularly loves performing with her musical comedy duo Ruth and Elaine. (@RuthandElaine) Hannah would like to thank her family and friends for their ongoing love and support, and David for always reminding her to dream big. Besides all that – Hannah is generally happy to be here and would absolutely love to pet your dog!

JAVID IQBAL

JAVID IQBAL (he/him) is bald, will never have hair on top again, and has a well lined up beard! You may recognize him from his 2 second appearance at the 2:08 mark in the music video for the very recent 2008 smash hit “Lookin Boy” by Hotstylz & Yung Joc…..and yes, that’s him. Javid’s also been in tons of other good stuff, just trust. In his spare time he watches and films comedy performed by his precious kids Jamil & Jamilah. You can catch Javid on TikTok @TheRealJavid or really on any social media and he is absolutely not too proud to beg for a follow, so please, God, please, follow him. Javid is represented by Paonessa Talent.

BILL LETZ

A southside Chicago native, BILL LETZ (he/him) loves being a part of this city’s wonderful comedy community. He is a proud graduate of Second City’s Conservatory and Musical program as well as iO’s Training program. He has been a part of many great shows and teams but some of his favorites include Daffodil, Ghost Car, Tubbs Ave, pH, Improvised Gilmore Girls, and The Treehouse Pipers. He is so happy to be a part of Second City’s BlueCo along with his amazing and mega talented castmates. Thanks to Bill and Meth, Cath and Scoops, and his family and friends for all their support. Pics of his dog Two Scoops of Cookies and Cream @letzey on the gram.

CHAS LILLY

CHAS LILLY is a Chicago-based writer, performer, and improviser from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He regularly improvises with various teams all over the city, mostly commonly at Logan Square Improv. He is also a producer and audio engineer for Ersatz Records. For business inquiries, contact chaslilly89@gmail.com

YAZMIN RAMOS

YAZMIN RAMOS (she/her) is a Chicago native who is thrilled to be performing with The Second City National Touring Company. She most recently performed in The Revolution Will Be Improvised at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C. Other highlights include: The Second City’s She The People Tour (Boston – Huntington Theatre Company, San Diego Rep), The Holy Fuck Comedy Hour (Annoyance Theatre), and Burlesque is More (Annoyance Theatre). She is currently staffed as a writer on MeTV’s Toon In With Me and has appeared in a few television roles. Represented by Grossman & Jack Talent.

CATHARINE SAVAGE

CATHARINE SAVAGE (she/her) is delighted to perform with The Second City! A Massachusetts native, she moved to Chicago after graduating from Brown University with a B.A. in History and Gender Studies. She is a proud graduate of The Second City Training Center’s Conservatory and Severn Darden Graduate Program, as well as iO’s training program. She has performed with her team Artemis and in the Armando Diaz Experience at iO. Thank you to her dog nephew Chance for always believing in her. She is represented by BMG Talent. Follow her on twitter: @CatharineSavage

ANNIE SULLIVAN

ANNIE SULLIVAN is a writer, performer, and all-around sweetheart originally from Kansas City and an alum of Columbia College Chicago. She is currently an understudy for The Second City National Touring Company. Additionally, she is a performer on the improv team Devil’s Daughter and a cast member of The Annoyance’s weekly sketch show, HOLY F*CK. Follow her on Twitter @whitemystery95 or follow her on the streets of Logan Square.

MAX THOMAS

MAX THOMAS (he/him) was raised on Jimi Hendrix, Rick James, & Soy Milk. He was destined to become a comedian. His Chicago credits include NBC Break Out Comedy Festival & 2018 Bob Curry Fellow (The Second City); Dutchmasters (Jackalope Theater); In The Blood (Red Tape Theater); Jitney (Congo Square Theater); Othello (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); LAWD the CVS Is Burning (MPAACT Theatre). Max studied at The School at Steppenwolf, Second City & B.A.D.A. When he is not acting he is performing stand-up & spoken word improv with his team PREACH. He thanks family, friends, & James Baldwin for reminding him he is not alone.

ADISA WILLIAMS

ADISA WILLIAMS (she/her) is elated to be an understudy for the cast of Second City Mainstage. She is originally from both Boston and Kingston, Jamaica. (This cannot be further explained). She is currently a writer for YouTube News show: Gay News and actor/writer for web series Bennie and Barbara. She is currently in the 2020 Second City NBCUniversal Bob Curry Fellowship. When not on stage or behind a camera, you can catch her in the middle of a ring of Krispy Kreme doughnuts because she likes being surrounded by greatness. Previous credits include: iO’s House Sketch Team, iO’s diOversity Scholars, ComedySportz Seattle Ensemble. Huge thank you to her Chicago family and friends. Follow @runoftheschmill on Instagram and @schmilliams on Twitter/TikTok

CLAIRE FAVRET

CLAIRE FAVRET (Understudy, she/her) writes and performs all around Chicago, but most often at Second City, iO theater, CIC theater, and The Annoyance. She has contributed headlines for Clickhole and co-wrote an episodic comedy podcast/radio play called A Winkle In Time. It’s about the Winklevoss brothers traveling through time to patent inventions and fight their nemesis, Mark Zuckerberg. It’s on iTunes and all the other podcast places!

PRESTON PARKER

PRESTON PARKER is thrilled to perform with The Second City National Touring Company. Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, previous credits with Second City include The Best Friggin’ Songs of the Second City, and understudying for the Mainstage and Touring Company. Other sketch work has been featured at Austin Out of Bounds Festival, Chicago SketchFest and Austin SketchFest. He also writes and composes original musicals, including The Election of William Henry Harrison (Best Ensemble, Premier Premieres Festival), When Jared Met Ivanka, and Titanic 2042 (Best Musical nominee, Chicago Reader). He is the proud Champion of the 2019 ESPN1000 Holiday Parody Song Contest. You can follow him on Instagram @prestonleeparker to see too few photos of himself and way too many photos of his cat, Kuzco. Overwhelming love and gratitude to Bianca, Ashley, Shelby, Dad, and Mom, always

TINA ARFAEE

TINA ARFAEE (Understudy, they/any) has been writing and performing in Chicago since 2012, most notably at The Annoyance Theater with Matt Damon Improv. With MDI, she wrote and starred in the web series In-Diana. She has also appeared on an episode of Chicago Fire, Centered the web series, and short film The Sweatshirt. Tina is a graduate of The Second City/NBC Universal Bob Curry Fellowship. Please reach out directly if you are interested in starting a Dolly Parton cover band. She is repped by Big Mouth Talent. @tinatwocats

ROSS TAYLOR

ROSS TAYLOR (Understudy, he/him) is originally from St. James, Missouri and favorite Second City credits include performing at the Kennedy Center and understudying for the e.t.c. and the Touring Company. Before moving to Chicago, Ross spent seven years in New York City, performing and teaching regularly at Magnet Theater. He majored in Theater at the University of Missouri. Eternal thanks to Jen, Loki and all the heroes on Producer’s Row! @rosstaylornyc

ANNE LIBERA (Director) is an Associate Professor and coordinates the degree in Comedy Writing and Performance at Columbia College Chicago. She is an Artistic Consultant and Director of Comedy Studies for The Second City. She served as Director of Pedagogy for The Second Science Project in partnership with the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago. Her directing credits include: The Madness of Curious George, Computer Chips and Salsa, The Second City Goes to War, Are You There God? It’s Me, Katniss Everdeen, and Second City touring productions all over the world.

Anne has presented on topics in improvisation and comedy for Aspen Ideas Festival, Code Conference, Chicago Ideas Week, Twitter, and guest lectured at the Stanford Business School and Northwestern University. Her book Funnier: A Theory of Comedy with Practical Applications will be published by Northwestern University Press.

Twitter:@AnneLibera1

ROB WILSON (Director) hailing from Virginia has made the most of his time in Chicago, most recently playing Joel on the first season of FOX’s “The Big Leap”. He has also appeared alongside Terrence Howard on FOX’s “Empire”, SHOWTIME’s “Shameless”. Rob has performed on every stage at The Second City as well as touring the nation with both The Second City’s Touring Company and The Westside Theater’s Mission Improvable. He made his Second City Directorial debut last year with SuperAfroWavyDrippy-ExtraBrillantDope Show. He has since directed the critically acclaimed Shamilton and The Dopeness. He does other stuff too but right now he’s kinda enjoying this directing thing. He hopes ya have fun. Rob is repped by Stewart Talent and on IG he is @Rob_Willsun

JOHN LOVE (Musical Director) is a musician/actor based out of Chicago, IL. He currently tours with The Second City and plays piano for a collective in Chicago called The North and Wells Band. He gives all of his love and appreciation to his family and friends; especially his Mom, his sister, E & A, and his dear friend KB.

MICHAEL R. OLDHAM (Musical Director) is a composer and pianist who weaves artwork, story, and imagination into his work. Whether experimenting with looping videos on Instagram as the “parts” of a piece that anyone can play (Music In Segments – 2018), utilizing repeating gif images of old silent films as inspiration for a twelve-movement work (Music In Gifs – 2019), translating great works of art into music (Suggestion Box: Art – 2020, The Egon Schiele Pieces – 2021), writing art songs, musical theater, pop songs, or commercial ad work, Michael’s thirst for unusual storytelling through music is never quenched.

PAUL SOTTNIK (Music Director) is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and performer currently living, teaching and working in Chicago, IL. Since earning a BA in music from Fredonia University they have worked extensively as a dance accompanist with many great companies including Hubbard Street Dance, The Joffrey Ballet and Ballet Austin. They have composed music for “Echo Modern Dance Collective” and “A Theater in the Dark”. Follow them @SottnikMusic or at www.melacollective.com/sottnik-music

CARISA BARRECA / Director / Choreographer (she/her/hers) is honored to be Directing the 111th Mainstage revue, Don’t Quit Your Daydream! Carisa is a Chicago native who has been performing with Second City for 15 years. She is an alum of The Second City’s resident stage, where she wrote and performed in three critically acclaimed revues. She has had the honor of performing at Lyric Opera of Chicago with Sir Patrick Stewart and Reneé Fleming in The Second City’s Guide to the Opera, at Goodman Theatre and at The Kennedy Center with Twist Your Dickens; and she wrote and performed in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Second City’s collaboration The Art of Falling. She was also a writer, cast member, and associate director of the long-running and award-winning show, She The People. Other directing credits include Second city’s National touring company, Second City’s SING OUT, and Deck The Hallmark. Carisa is also a proud founder and Director of Matter Dance Company. Many thanks to the cast and crew of #111, Carly Heffernan, Jen Ellison, Marla Caceres, Lili-Anne Brown, Katie Rich and Kevin Sciretta (& Bandit the dog). She hopes you enjoy the show ♥! Follow her adventures in directing/acting/dogs/baking @Cinderisa .

BREE BARTMAN (Stage Manager) is the Stage Manager for this production! For the past 10 years, she’s been hiding in the shadows at several theaters around Chicago, including The Second City and the long running show, Bye Bye Liver. When she’s not at Second City, you can find her slinging sass at Ed Debevic’s! Please enjoy the show!!!

INDIGO COAR (Stage Manager) (they/them) is thrilled to be a stage manager for the Touring Company! Indigo is a Chicago-based theatre technician, specializing in stage management and technical direction. They started working with Second City as a virtual stage manager back in mid-2021, shortly after first moving to Chicago. They earned their BFA in technical theatre at LIU Post University in New York. Indigo has been enjoying delving into the world of improv and sketch comedy following their much larger experience in the musical theatre world.

Rebecca Gilman divides her time between stage managing, directing, and acting. Since arriving in Chicago, she has stage managed the world premiere of Malapert Love with the Artistic Home (2023 Jeff Award for Best New Work) and has been working as a stage manager for The Second City and iO Theater. Rebecca received her BA in theatre from UAA in 2015. Directing credits include Little Women: The Musical (2021), Grounded (2021), and The Crucible (2019) with the Kenai Performers. Favorite acting credits include Missy Miller in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Addie Camp Dining Car 2022), Maxine in Night of the Iguana (UAA Theatre and Dance 2014), and Sister Aloysius in Doubt: A Parable (TTR 2014). Favorite stage management credits are Gravidity (TTR 2014 and VTC 2014) along with [title of show] (2013), Other Desert Cities (2015), Antony and Cleopatra (2016), and The Great American Trailer Park Musical (2017) at Cyrano’s Theatre Company.

MENAKA DEOLEKAR

MENAKA DEOLEKAR (Understudy, she/her) is comedian, actor, and taxpayer who would like to thank the cast and crew of Out of the House Party for having her understudy! Menaka graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s in Human Resources and in Acting, and has spent the past year living in Spain. She is a proud recipient of the 2018 Bob Curry Fellowship and has been lucky enough to perform sketch revues and scripted works at Steppenwolf Theatre, The Goodman, Writer’s Theatre and Jackalope Theatre among others. Past credits include Teatro Vista’s Romeo and Juliet (Nurse), ‘Night Mother (Jessie Cates), Uncle Vanya (Yelena Andreyevna), Dog Sees God (Marcy). You can see her improvise with Stir Friday Night, and perform theatre, stand up, and sketch comedy around Chicago. Special thanks to Ray for running lines with her and Grossman & Jack Talent for being the best agency! Most importantly, Menaka would not be anywhere without God, and her Mom and Dad’s endless love and support, and would especially like to pay tribute to her Little Brother.

Instagram: Mxnaka, Twitter: HakunaMenakah

MASOOD HAQUE

MASOOD HAQUE (Understudy, he/him) is a comedian, actor, and director based in Chicago. He has completed the Bob Curry Fellowship, been a house ensemble member at Second City Theater, as well as associate directed their resident stage E.T.C. production, The Best Decision You Ever Made. Masood is a founding member of the comedy troupe Club Asia, the former Artistic Director for Stir-Friday Night, and has lent his voice to various VO projects. He has also filmed multiple projects with Weird Life Films, been a witch on the critically acclaimed web series Brujos and is currently online playing tabletop role-playing games on streams sponsored by Hasbro, Blue Microphones, and others. You can find out what Masood’s up to on his Twitter and Instagram @mahrudeboi, or just see pictures of his cats.

MAX LAZERINE

MAX LAZERINE (Understudy, he/him) is a writer, performer from Minneapolis Minnesota and is an alum of Columbia College Chicago. Max is a performer with The Annoyance’s HOLY F*CK COMEDY HOUR and can be seen around town with his sketch duo Max and Annie. You can follow this bad boy on twitter @Maxlazerine

DAVE LYZENGA

DAVE LYZENGA (Understudy) is an actor, improvisor, and software engineer. You can find him performing all over Chicago at iO (The Teenagers, The Musical Armando, RIFF, Dreamboat), The Revival (The Living Newspaper), The Second City (Baby Wants Candy), and CSz Chicago (ComedySportz Ensemble), and up in Grand Rapids with his independent team (Pop Scholars). He has worked in Bar Harbor for ImprovAcadia, aboard a cruise ship for The Second City Theatricals, and in a Class 10 clean room for Purdue University. Recently, Dave performed right here in Dysfunctional Family Affair (u/s) and wrote a solo show all about his very own dysfunctional family (Dave Lyzenga’s A Good Guy).

LAURA MAYNARD

LAURA MAYNARD (Understudy) was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee before moving to Chicago in 2015. She studied Comedy Writing and Performance at Columbia College Chicago, graduating in 2019. She can be seen improvising all over town with the iO Harold team Slice and independent team Cool Aunt. She wouldn’t be here without her parents, so John and Laura if you’re reading this – I love you! You can follow her on Twitter and Letterboxd at @mrsdennisquaid

PHYLICIA McLEOD

PHYLICIA McLEOD (Understudy) is an improviser, writer, voice over actress, and teacher based in Chicago, IL. She began her comedy career at Second City Chicago and completed the conservatory & Bob Curry Fellowship programs. You can hear her as she co-host the podcast Unlearning or in her head learning how to read Tarot Cards.

KEVIN NOONAN

KEVIN NOONAN (Understudy, he/him)) is a writer and performer originally from Overland Park, Kansas, thrilled to perform with Second City. Kevin previously wrote and performed at the Pack Theater in Los Angeles with house ensembles Very Famous and Nobody Yell At Me. Other past credits include red carpet journalist, SAT tutor, working salad orders at a cafe in the mall, and almost Blockbuster Video cashier, until the store closed down on what was supposed to be his first day of work. His instagram is @kevin.noonan4.

AUDREY SCHIFFHAUER

AUDREY SCHIFFHAUER (Understudy, she/her) is originally from Buffalo, NY, and has performed improv and sketch comedy in Chicago for seven years, including Second City, iO Theater, The Annoyance and CIC. She is excited to be performing with her friends again after missing comedy so much in the last year, although her cat Lily is not thrilled that she seems to be leaving the house more often.

CASSIDY RUSSELL

CASSIDY RUSSELL (Understudy, she/her) has been doing improv since middle school (cool!). In addition to performing with Second City, she is a resident director at Chicago’s Annoyance Theater, where she also performs and teaches. She has taught and performed improv internationally for the past decade and is honestly just really joyful that this is what she gets to do with her life. Cassidy has appeared in multiple (multiple!) local car commercials.

ERIC GREENBAUM

ERIC GREENBAUM is from the wonderful town of New Haven, Connecticut. He graduated from New York University with a BFA in Drama, and finished his time at school in The Second City’s Comedy Studies Program during the spring of 2021. You can find him around Chicago performing comedy and theatre, and he might even sing for you! He would like to thank his family and friends very very much for helping him pursue this little dream of his. Eric is a freak who doesn’t have social media, but you can follow him and his shows on his website, ericgreenbaum.com

ANNA BORTNICK

ANNA BORTNICK is an actor and improviser originally from Boston, Massachusetts. She received her B.F.A. from Boston University and has trained at the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute. Anna also performs with the musical improv company, BABY WANTS CANDY and SHAMILTON (Edinburgh Fringe, The Second City) and is a current resident company member at iO Theater. www.annabortnick.com

ANDREW BALDWIN

ANDREW BALDWIN (he/him/his) is a musician, comedian, and writer from Wisconsin. Since moving to Chicago, he has trained at the Second City Conservatory and The Annoyance. In addition to performing improv and sketch throughout Chicago, he has performed as an understudy for Second City’s 110th mainstage show “Do The Right Thing, No Worries If Not”, teaches at The Annoyance Theater, and is an ensemble member of Shamilton, Baby Wants Candy, and Satirical Race Theory. Sometimes he can still be spotted playing percussion around the city to feel like he isn’t wasting his music degrees. Instagram: @andrew_on_drums. Rep: Grossman&Jack Talent.

TRAVIS STUEBING

TRAVIS STUEBING is an actor, writer and comedian originally hailing from Texas. While having performed with many regional theaters, locally he is a graduate of iO and The Annoyance’s Improv programs, Second City’s Conservatory, and is also an alum of Second City’s Severn Darden Graduate Program. He’s also contributed voice work to the anime One Piece and The Onion’s podcast The Topical. He couldn’t be more proud to be apart of The National Touring Company as an understudy. He’d like to thank his family for all of their support, and Katie, for being the best partner to run lines with. You can find him on Twitter: travis_stuebing & Instagram: travis.stuebing

DEVONTE E. WASHINGTON (Understudy Stage Manager) is a Chicago native. Born and raised on the southside. He started working in production over 10 years ago and hasn’t looked back. He has molded his skills by learning the aspects of designing and building shows from scratch. His Talenst have been used with many events,venues and shows throughout the city. Getting better with every show he wants to continue to get better at what he does while continuously learning more and more .

TONY BELSITO (Understudy Musical Director) is a Chicago-based musician and performer originally from Duluth, Minnesota. Previous MD credits include Second City’s HouseCo, TourCo, SuperAfroWavyDrippyExtraBrilliantDopeShow, and Dance Like There Are Black People Watching. Guitarist for Kid Copter, studio musician for Ersatz Records, and releaser of original music streaming under my name, Tony Belsito. If you’d like to know more, just ask. Yes, you can have a link to the playlist.

BRYON HENDERSON (he/him) has built his career within the Entertainment Industry and Event Management field. He received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami, FL with emphasis on Music Business and Performance in Voice and on Viola. He has worked with many award winning and national recording artists to produce Live Events, as well as a Project Manager at Second City Works and is currently Producer for the Touring Company. He is also co-starring in the life-long comedy of marriage, 3 kids and a dog.