UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. – NBC Universal has begun its yearly nationwide search for the funniest comics of diverse backgrounds with its sixth-annual “Stand-Up for Diversity,” which will include open calls in four major U.S cities, it was announced today by Kendra Carter, Director, Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBC Universal.
It was also announced that acclaimed actor and comedian Anthony Anderson (NBC’s “Law & Order”) is the new celebrity spokesperson for the 2009 tour. The nation’s hottest rising diverse stand-up comic ultimately will be awarded a talent holding deal with NBC Universal, along with other prizes to be announced later.
The highly anticipated talent search and showcase opportunity begins June 28 in Miami. Additional cities will include New York, Atlanta and San Diego, with the final showcase scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in early December.
“With every new year, our efforts underscore NBC Universal’s genuine commitment to spotlight fresh diverse talent for the general entertainment community in Hollywood,” said Carter. “Our entry-level outreach has proven to be successful in the past and will pitch a larger tent by adding more cities to the tour this year. This confirms our priority of introducing prominent industry players to some of America’s funniest and diverse comics.”
“I’m honored to be a part of ‘Stand-Up for Diversity,’ and excited that NBC Universal is making an effort to further its diversity efforts,” said Anderson. 
The “Stand-Up for Diversity” tour will kick off June 28 with an open call at The Miami Improv in Miami with auditions that will start promptly at 10 a.m. at the venue, located at 3390 Mary St., Miami. The first 100 comedians will have the opportunity to perform a one-minute stand-up set (early arrival is strongly recommended). A small group of semi-finalists will be asked to return later in the day to perform a longer set for callbacks. The finalists will perform their original material at the NBC Universal-sponsored showcase the following evening.
Following the auditions, a live showcase will be held at the Miami Improv on June 29 at 8 p.m. Miami natives are encouraged attend and support their local comics as audience response will be a factor in determining which comic — or comics — will be selected for the “Best of ‘Stand-Up for Diversity’” showcase to be held in Los Angeles this fall.
Many of the comics from last year’s “Best of ‘Stand-Up for Diversity’” showcase in New York City signed with top Hollywood agents and met with the entertainment industry’s leading casting directors and executives. The top prize of 2008 went to comedian Rob Stapleton.
Over the course of the next few months, open calls and showcases for “Stand-Up for Diversity” will be held at the following cities:
MIAMI
Miami Improv
Auditions: Sunday, June 28 at 10 a.m.
Showcase: Monday, June 29 at 8 p.m.
SAN DIEGO
The Comedy Palace
Auditions: Sunday, July 12 at 10 a.m.
Showcase: Monday, July 13 at 8 p.m.
ATLANTA
The Punchline
Auditions: Tuesday, August 11 at 10 a.m.
Showcase: Wednesday, August 12 at 8 p.m.
NEW YORK
Auditions and showcase:
November 2009
(Dates and venue to be announced)
Prospective participants and audiences can check for details on the next open calls and showcases in these cities by going online to www.standupnbc.com or www.diversecitynbc.com.
NBC is really out to get some new actors, huh? Two contests at the same time?!