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Cast and Crew Black Excellence

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

Written & Performed by:
E.J. Cameron, Jillian Ebanks, Julia Morales, Charlette San Juan, Jason Tolliver, Tyler VanDuvall, Kimberly Michelle Vaughn, Lauren Walker

Directed By: Julia Morales

Stage Manager: Charlette San Juan
Music Director: Cesar Romero

Choreographers: Breon Arzell
Lighting Designer: Brenden Marble

Creative Lead: Rob Wilson

Senior Producer: Bryon Henderson

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

The Ensemble

E.J. CAMERON

E.J. CAMERON is an alum of Second City’s etc(Grinning from Fear to Fear and The Best Decision You Ever Made) and the Mainstage(Do The Right Thing, No Worries If Not.). He’s also performed and trained at: iO and ComedySportz. He is an avid pro-wrestling fan and his favorite color is purple! If you enjoyed his performance his Venmo is @EJ-Cameron and if you didn’t he’ll use the money to get better!

JILLIAN EBANKS

JILLIAN EBANKS, originally from New Jersey, is a Chicago based comedian, actor, writer and producer. She is thrilled to be returning to the Black Excellence Show! Past performances include America; It’s Complicated! at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Like There’s Black People Watching at The Woolly Mammoth Theater Company, and touring with The Second City National Touring Company #Redco. As a standup comedian, she’s performed at top comedy clubs and showcases in the city. With a degree in sociology she refuses to use, she hopes all her hard work pays off one day, and Ben & Jerry’s asks her to create her very own ice cream flavor. Also, an invitation to the Met Gala would be cool. She is currently repped by Grossman & Jack Talent. Follow her @Curlyhairnocare on all socials.

JASON TOLLIVER

JASON TOLLIVER was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Jason has studied and performed all over Chicago including Second City, Annoynace theater, and IO. Jason is also an ensemble member at Comedy Sportz and Revival Theater . He is also a graduate of Norfolk State University, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

TYLER VANDUVALL

TYLER VANDUVALL is excited to make his Second City debut with the company of The Black Excellence Show! Tyler is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned his BA in Theater Performance, with a concentration in Musical Theater. After graduating in 2023, he moved to Chicago a few months later for a change of pace and temperature. You can catch him performing around town with The Spades Table, Gang Gang, Shamilton, or Baby Wants Candy. He would like to thank his family, chosen or blood, as well as his loving cat, Kal. Socials – @tyler.vanduvall

KIMBERLY MICHELLE VAUGHN

KIMBERLY MICHELLE VAUGHN, SAG-AFTRA, is an award-winning filmmaker. Columbia College of Chicago grad with a BA in Theatre. The Second City Mainstage Alum. Featured in Epic Rap Battles of History as former VP Kamala Harris, and seen in Chicago MED, EMPIRE, THE CHI, and more! Proudly represented by Paonessa Talent Agency. Follow her on Instagram, @Kimberlymichellevaughn

LAUREN WALKER

LAUREN WALKER is a writer and comedian from Chicago, IL. She’s written for the Emmy-nominated Book of Queer (Discovery+), RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1), American Auto (NBC), and South Side (HBO Max). As a member of the Second City National Touring Company, Lauren has traveled the country performing improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy. Additionally, she wrote and performed in the 2021 ViacomCBS Showcase and served as a consulting producer for the 2022 ViacomCBS Showcase. She is very excited to be back at Second City, where her comedy career began.

Production &
Creative Teams

JULIA MORALES (Director) is originally from Houston, Texas. She attended the University of Houston – School of Theatre & Dance and graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Jules first studied improv comedy in Houston and later moved to New York in 2008 after receiving the NBC Diversity Scholarship to study both improv and sketch comedy. She later moved to Chicago in 2015 while performing with the Second City Theatricals on the Norwegian Cruise Line. She was a 2018 Bob Curry Fellow and was later cast as an ensemble member of the Second City Green Co Touring Company. She is a Second City Mainstage alum having completed two revues, Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not and Don’t Quit Your Daydream. She directed the 2025 Bob Curry Fellowship Showcase, Minority Report: What Had Happened Was and she was the Associate Director for the Black Excellence show, We Always Bounce Black at Second City. She’s an adjunct teacher at The Theatre School at DePaul University Comedy Studies program. As well as the Associate House Team & Programming Director at iO Theater. She is very honored to be the first woman of color to direct the 2026 Black Excellence Show, Black and Highly Flavored. Outside of comedy, Jules is a master movie buff, a self-care enthusiast, and an avid traveler. Follow her journey on IG @callmejules.

CHARLETTE SAN JUAN (Stage Manager) is a Theatre Artist hailing from Manila, Philippines. She has recently worked on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, First National Tour (2024), Death Becomes Her (2024), MJ The Musical, First National Tour (2023), as well as Second City revues: “This Too Shall Slap” (2025-2026), “Chaos Theory of Everything”(2025), “Devil’s in the Detours” (2024), “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” (2024). “Eat, Pray, Bigfoot in Love” (2023). Currently, she is the understudy Stage Manager for the Second City Resident Stages (MainStage and E.T.C. Theatre) as well as the National Touring Company. She is thankful and excited to be working on her first BES show! Always for mom and dad.

CESAR ROMERO (Music Director) was born & raised in the small town of Chicago. Through the years, Cesar has been fortunate enough to play in a variety of scenes through and around the city. From playing piano for Second City and/or iO style improv, being part of house bands for jazz / funk jams, playing guitar for Shrek on Tour & Choir of Man, playing arts festivals in Ireland, songwriting with colleagues to even being part of band pits for musical theaters. During his time playing in the Musical scene, Cesar has been part of such productions as RENT, Hairspray, Hamilton, Jersey Boys, In the Heights, West Side Story, Hair & even Hamilton (just to name a few). With all this being said, Cesar is still learning and humbly eager to grow as a person, musician & colleague in his next project; wherever that may be.

BRENDEN MARBLE (Lighting Designer) is based in Chicago! After studying theater design at Eastern Michigan University, the Detroit MI native moved to Chicago to start living their dream of becoming a lighting designer! Recent credits include House of Exquisite Corpse(Rough House Theatre) Passover(Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre) At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen(The Story Theatre) Kid Prince & Pablo(Lifeline Theatre) We Always Bounce Black(Second City Chicago) Native Son(Lifeline Theatre) An Educated Guess(Definition Theatre),Liaisons(Chicago Tap Theatre),Black By Popular Demand(Second City Chicago), A Hit Dog Will Holler (Artemisia Theatre), Fairview(Definition Theater), and Dance Like There Are Black People Watching(Second City Chicago) Even though his career is just beginning, he knows this is something he wants to do for the rest of his life.

Website: www.brendenmarble.com

BREON ARZELL (Choreographer) is a dedicated teaching artist from Detroit, specializing in hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and body percussion, and serves as mentor to several universities, studios and theaters. Chicago: Planes, Trains, ???; Dance Like Black People are Watching; Black by Popular Demand (Second City), The Color Purple (Goodman Theatre), How Blood Go (Congo Square Theatre), Kill Move Paradise* (TimeLine Theatre), American Psycho*, The Wiz & Head Over Heels* (Kokandy Productions), The Total Bent* (Haven Theatre), Marie Christine, The Scottsboro Boys, The Hairy Ape* and more. Regional: Play On (Signature Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Indiana Rep), Dreamgirls (Goodspeed Musicals & McCarter Theatre) RENT (MUNY), FELA! & Miss You Like Hell (Olney Theatre), Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Acoustic Rooster (Kennedy Center). TV: South Side, The 4400. Listed among the ‘50 Players for Chicago’ (2018, 2020, 2023), and recipient of 7 Jeff Awards*. @breonarzell // www.breonarzell.com

ROB WILSON (Associate Artistic Director/ Creative Lead) is a native of the DMV he has made the most of his time in Chicago, recently directing the 112^th Main Stage Revue, The Second City’s National Touring Company, Dance Like There’s Black People Watching at the Woolly Mammoth Theater. When he is not directing he performs as well most recently playing JD in the Feature Film “Penitentia” and Joel on FOX’s “The Big Leap”. He has also appeared on FOX’s “Empire”, SHOWTIME’s “Shameless”, both NBC’s “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire” and MAX’s “Southside”. Rob has toured the nation with both The Second City’s Touring Company and The Westside Theater’s Mission Improvable. Not one to be idle, Rob created and executive produced the digital series LIL MONSTERS, MIDNIGHT SHOWING, and THE BASEMENT. Rob is repped by Stewart Talent and you can see all that and what else he’s working on at his IG @Rob_Willsun

BRYON HENDERSON (Senior Producer) is a Chicago native and a graduate of the University of Miami. He has collaborated with award-winning and nationally recognized recording artists to produce concerts, and live events. At The Second City, he has produced shows including SuperAfroWavyDrippyExtra-BrilliantDopeShow, Dance Like There Are Black People Watching, Black by Popular Demand and currently manages the Second City National Touring Company as well as productions for Second City Works. He also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Offstage, Bryon is co-starring in the ongoing comedy of marriage, three kids, and a dog.

Understudies

JORDYN BIRDEN

JORDYN BIRDEN started her performance journey at the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) as a vocal major. She continued her music education majoring in vocal performance at Virginia Tech. Jordyn began her Second City Improv and Acting studies shortly after the pandemic and immediately fell in love with the art form. Her passions led her to auditioning and completing the Second City Conservatory program and Graduate program. Over the years, Jordyn has trained as an actress, gigging and performing in Chicago theaters such as The Den with the Artistic Home theater company, The Annoyance Theater, The Bughouse Theater, The Second City. Today, Jordyn is an educator at the Chicago High School for the Arts. She plans to continue performing on stage, on film and wherever her multifaceted background takes her.

SOL FULLER

SÓL FULLER is a Chicago native actor, singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist. Her acting career began at 6 years old when she was the lead in the award winning short film, CHILDREN OF COLOR. Recent credits include: Martha/Fan/ Catherine in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (The Goodman Theatre), Fatima Curtly in FROM 145TH TO 98TH STREET (Urbanite Theatre), Daisy Bass in THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER (Raven Theatre), and Isabella in MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Forest Park Theatre). Sól was featured in The Q Brother’s Emmy- award winning campaign, “IT’S ON” for NBC Sports. She is also the lead in an upcoming animated musical set to release in 2026, where she performs and composes all the music.

JONATHAN GARNDER

JONATHAN GARNDER is thrilled to be understudying at The Second City for the first time! He holds a BA in Film & Television from DePaul University, and is a graduate of the Black Box Acting Conservatory, The ACADEMY. Television credits include Chicago Fire and The Chi. This summer you can find him out in the woods of American Players Theatre where he will be playing the role of Proteus in their production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

MONTREZ HAWKINS

Getting his start in his native Atlanta, Ga on a variety of stages, TV/Film sets, and voiceover booths, MONTREZ HAWKINS has been independently performing in the same capacities in Chicago since 2023. Known for his gut wrenching style of writing and performance, booming voice, and strong sense of social satire, he’s excited to shed more light on the blackexperience with this cast.

ASYA MEADOWS

ASYA MEADOWS is an actor, writer, producer, and performer from Chicago’s west suburbs. They’ve trained at Actors Studio Chicago, Vagabond School of the Arts, and Logan Square Improv. In 2024, Asya was an OTV Hall Recipient and featured in What Happened to Dorothy Bell?, a Fantastic Fest selection. They’ve performed with the improv team Satirical Race Theory, an Alumnus of the Bob Curry Fellowship 24/25, and an understudy for The Chaos of Everything. Off-stage, Asya enjoys learning ASL and Spanish, Italian food, reality TV, and cherishes their family and community.

MATTY ROBINSON

MATTY ROBINSON is an actor, writer, and comedian here in the city of Chicago. This former writer for NPR’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me has studied with The Second City, iO, The Annoyance and has worked with The Goodman, Court Theatre, Steppenwolf, and Trap Door Theatre. You can see him anytime on the show South Side (HBO Max) and catch him on stage performing all over the country. Follow the journey on instagram: @mattyd0r11

GRECIA BAHENA (Understudy Stage Manager) is from the western suburbs of Chicago. Previous Second City credits include; We Always Bounce Black: A Black Excellence Revue, and The Second City 65th Anniversary Show at the Cincinnati Playhouse. Other regional credits include the Goodman Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. She is a proud alumna of the BFA stage management program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the MSLCE program at Northwestern University.

BRIAN COOPER (Understudy Music Director) is singer, songwriter, musician, composer and educator who is originally from Nassau, Bahamas. Brian studied Music at St. Johns University for his undergraduate degree and McnallySmith College of Music where he received a masters in Piano performance. He is excited to be apart of the improv world. He teaches and performs at the Second City and the Annoyance theater. Brian Also affectionately known as Bryan Cee can be found performing with his band around town and throughout the Midwest.

Thank you to:

To God the Father, thank you for being the source of my strength, creativity, wisdom, discernment, focus and comfort throughout this process. I am nothing without You. Thank you Rob Wilson, Bryon Henderson, Claudia Wallace, Jen Ellison, Anne Libera, Kelly Leonard, Anthony LeBlanc, John Kelly, Daniel Parsons, Kate Eddy and the entire Marketing Team, photographers Nolis Anderson and Tim Schmidt, our choreographer Breon Arzell, our Lighting Designer Brenden Marble, and the House & Waitstaff for everything you have done in support of this incredible project. Thank you to my amazing Stage Manager, Charlette San Juan who stepped in and stepped up in a huge way. Thank you to my talented Musical Director Cesar Romero for always being a team player even when it got tough. Thank you to my incredibly talented cast and friends, EJ Cameron, Jillian Ebanks, Jason Tolliver, Tyler VanDuvall, Kimberly Michelle Vaughn, and Lauren Walker. Thank you for trusting and respecting me as your Director. You all have made this one of my most memorable experiences I’ve had at Second City. I will forever continue to have your back and root in your corner. As always, thank you to my entire family for their continued support over the many years of me taking big risks in my career. Finally, thank you to the entire community of friends and Chicago businesses who have shown their support, excitement, and love to each and every one of us during and after this process. To everyone reading this, let’s continue to be part of the solution and not the problem. Abolish Ice. Vote. And love thy neighbor. God Bless! – Julia Morales, Director

Thank you to my family for supporting me over the years and being the foundation for what makes me me, my friends that always keep it real and my lovely girlfriend, Lauren. I’d like to give a special shout out to all the black performers that have come before us and showed what true greatness looks like. – E.J. Cameron, Ensemble

I’d like to dedicate this work to Terry and Leonard for making me fearless and the resilient woman that I am today. All my love to my siblings, nieces, nephew, friends, fur-son, and my sweet Papi. – Kimberly Michelle Vaughn, Ensemble

This is for my family who are my number one fans and cheerleaders especially on the days I forget to cheer for myself! – Jillian Ebanks, Ensemble

Thank you to Donna and Allen for their love; to York, Corey, Ari, Amber, and Myles; to my supportive friends; and to my wonderful girlfriend, Katie. Thanks to the incredible cast, our brilliant director, stage manager, musical director, and producer; and shout-out to Chris Cole! – Lauren Walker, Ensemble

Thank you to my family, blood or chosen. This show is dedicated to any little black boy who watches and sees himself on this stage. A special heavenly shoutout to my grandmother, Helen Rose Furlow, who I lost during process. I will always love you. – Tyler VanDuvall, Ensemble

I first want to thank God, none of this is possible without him. I dedicate this to my Family & friends who hold me down and support me no matter what. Lastly, I thank our director and this awesome cast. I will forever “got your back!” – Jason Tolliver, Ensemble

It’s been an absolute pleasure working with a cast and creative team with this level of talent. I thank my family, God and everyone I’ve come into contact with and has helped shape me into who I am today. Beyond grateful. – Cesar Romero, Music Director

This work is dedicated to all immigrants like me who came to this country with nothing but our dreams. All my love to mom and dad, my husband Alex, Ate Bianca, Toni, Gus & always Sab. – Charlette San Juan, Stage Manager

Cast and Crew Black Excellence