Select a Location

The Second City Cast & Crew of Today’s Performance – Chicago

The Second City Cast & Crew of Today’s Performance


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. 

Ensemble

ZOE AGAPINAN

ZOE AGAPINAN (she/her) is a California-born and Chicago-based actor, improviser and writer. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with her degree in Theater Arts, and a minor in Economics (just in case!). She is an alumni of The Second City’s Severn Darden Graduate Program, and a 2022 Bob Curry Fellow. Besides The Second City, Zoe also regularly performs at The Saturday Show (Logan Square Improv) and The Armando Diaz Experience (iO Theater). You can follow her on Instagram @z0three! She is represented by Stewart Talent.

RICH ALFONSO

RICH ALFONSO (he/him) is excited 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 worked as a cast member for 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 2019 NBC Break Out Comedy Festival, and his solo show at the Annoyance, I.C.E. Box which was featured on WBEZ Radio and NPR. He is represented by BMG Talent. Follow Rich on Instagram and TikTok @rich_alfonso

TINA ARFAEE

TINA ARFAEE (they/any) has been writing and performing on multiple stages in Chicago since 2012, most notably at The Annoyance Theater with Matt Damon Improv. With MDI they wrote and starred in In-Diana: a web series. She 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. They are repped by Grossman & Jack. @tinatwocats

KENNEDY BALDWIN

KENNEDY BALDWIN (she/they) 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, she 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.

ANNA BORTNICK

ANNA BORTNICK (she/her) 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

KARL BRADLEY

KARL BRADLEY (he/him) is a writer and performer living in Chicago. A Georgia native, he performs regularly at the Annoyance Theatre in the sketch group “Cigarette Sandwich.” Alright, enjoy the show that is about to start. Wait, why are you still reading this? The show is on the stage. You won’t miss anything if you stop reading now. The secrets of the universe are not hidden here, and if they were, would you believe them? Karl is from Georgia. See, I told you.

GEORGE ELROD

GEORGE ELROD (he/they) is a member of Second City’s National Touring Company (GreenCo). He 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 comedy credits include, Bob Curry Fellowship (NBCUniversal/Second City), Deck the Hallmark (Second City), Let’s Make it Perfectly Queer (Second City), and Comet (iO Chicago). George is from Little Rock, Arkansas, and is an alumni of DePaul University. They are represented by Grossman & Jack Talent.

CLAIRE FAVRET

CLAIRE FAVRET (she/her) writes and performs all around Chicago. She has contributed headlines for The Onion and Clickhole, co-wrote an episodic comedy podcast/radio play called A Winkle In Time, and has co-created many sketches with the sketch comedy group Cigarette Sandwich. On social media she’s @clairefavs

MAX LAZERINE

MAX LAZERINE (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

KEVIN NOONAN

KEVIN NOONAN (he/him) is a writer and performer originally from Overland Park, Kansas, thrilled to perform with The Second City. Kevin performs around Chicago with sketch ensemble Cold Pizza Comedy (@cold_pizza_comedy), and previously performed at the Pack Theater in Los Angeles with house ensembles Very Famous and Nobody Yell At Me. He remains eligible for the NBA draft. Instagram: @kevin.noonan4

CAT MCDONNELL

CAT MCDONNELL (she/her) has performed with The Second City at sea aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines, and on land in She The People, The Best Friggin’ Songs of The Second City, Improv Brunch, and Late Night Date Night (a show she created). Cat has had the pleasure of understudying The Second City Mainstage revues Don’t Quit Your Daydream and Do The Right Thing, No Worries If Not, as well as The Second City’s BlueCo and HollyCo. She has also enjoyed directing The Second City’s National Touring Company, Late Night Date Night, Improv After Hours, e.t.c. improv show, Out of The House Party, and teaching in The Second City and iO Theater training centers. Cat is currently an ensemble member of iO’s Phony Award Winning Musical (co-created and music directed by Laura Hall of Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and the proud curator of ‘Lovesome,’ an LGBTQ+ long-form improv show.

ZOE MCKEE

ZOE MCKEE (she/her) is a comedian and actor originally from Oklahoma City. As a black, queer, big, hot, funny lady, her greatest passion is making others laugh! With big dreams in her funny bone, Zoe studied at Columbia College Chicago and graduated in Comedy Writing and Performance. Before being a part of the Second City Touring company (BlueCo), she understudied for the Second City Mainstage Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not, and Don’t Quit Your Daydream. Zoe is proudly represented by Paonessa Talent. You can find her on Instagram at @zoeisaslug.

PHYLICIA McLEOD

PHYLICIA McLEOD (she/her) 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-hosts the podcast Unlearning or in her head learning how to read Tarot Cards.

PRESTON PARKER

PRESTON PARKER (he/him) 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

CASSIDY RUSSELL

CASSIDY RUSSELL (she/her) has been doing improv since middle school (cool!). She’s a member of Chicago’s longest running improv team, Deep Schwa, as well as Annoyance Theatre house team Sight Unseen. She directs plays and teaches improv around Chicago, and in the summer she gets to teach comedy classes in Alaska at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp (an actual dream!). Touring with the Second City is another actual dream, and she’s very, very happy to be doing it. Cassidy has pretended to eat chicken on camera so many times and was once in a commercial where all four of the other actors were cats. She’s appeared in multiple (multiple!) local car commercials. Follow her on Instagram @ramblingcass IF YOU WANT.

CAT SAVAGE

CAT SAVAGE (she/her) is thrilled to be performing with The Second City National Touring Company. Originally from Massachusetts, Cat is an alum of Brown University. Her TV credits include Chicago PD where she rocked a commanding sergeant bun with a middle part. She teaches improv at Second City, DePaul University, and for corporate folks all around the country. A recent reviewer said she “lives up to her name.” She is represented by BMG Talent. Find her on instagram @cath.sav

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 a cast member of The Second City’s National Touring Company, as well as a performer on the improv team Devil’s Daughter, and a member of The Annoyance’s weekly sketch show, HOLY F*CK. Follow them on Instagram @whitemystery95 or follow her on the streets of Chicago.

ROSS TAYLOR

ROSS TAYLOR (he/him) is originally from St. James, Missouri and studied theater at Mizzou. Favorite Second City credits include: National Touring Company, performing at the Kennedy Center and Lyric Opera and understudying the e.t.c. Ross teaches improv at the Second City and Annoyance Theater, and performs weekly at the Annoyance with Missed Call and Tuesday Musical Improv. @rosstaylornyc

Production and Creative Teams

CARISA BARRECA (Director, she/her) is honored to be Directing Blue Co! She is an alum of The Second City’s resident stage, where she wrote and performed in three critically acclaimed revues. Most recently she was honored to direct the 111th Mainstage Show, Don’t Quit Your Daydream! Along with the Mainstage, she also directed the award-winning show She The PeopleSecond City’s SING OUT and Deck The Hallmark. 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; The Kennedy Center with Twist Your Dickens; and wrote and performed in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Second City’s collaboration The Art of Falling.   Follow her @Cinderisa.

JEFF GRIGGS (Director, he/him) is the author of the book Guru; My Days with Del Close and a Director/Performer/Teacher at Second City.  He’s a faculty member of the Second City Film School and is a professor at Depaul University and Columbia College. He has performed improv and sketch at theaters around the world and is a current director for the Second City Touring Company.

ANNE LIBERA (Director, she/her) 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 GeorgeComputer Chips and SalsaThe Second City Goes to WarAre 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

TONY BELSITO (Musical Director) is a Chicago-based musician and performer originally from Duluth, Minnesota. Previous MD credits include Second City’s HouseCo, TourCo, SuperAfroWavyDrippyExtra-BrilliantDopeShow, 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.

MICHAEL OLDHAM (Musical Director, he/him) 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.

SAM SCHEIDLER (Music Director, he/him) teaches and performs at The Second City, and can be found playing with Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, and Deep Schwa. In his spare time, Sam plays board games, NYT crosswords, and takes care of his two cats.

BREE BARTMAN  (Stage Manager, she/her) 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 (Stage Manager, she/her) 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.

BRYON HENDERSON (Producer, he/him) is a Chicago native and Producer for the Touring Company.  He has 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 and concerts.  Bryon has worked for Second City Works and served as Producer for SuperAfroWavyDrippyExtra-BrilliantDopeShow, and Dance Like There Are Black People Watching.  He is currently co-starring in the life-long comedy of marriage, 3 kids and a dog. 

PAIGE MACKEY (Associate Producer, she/her) After doing several summer camp sessions as a child, she joined the team as a camp counselor for two summers. She began her time in Customer Success after completing the Comedy Studies program at Second City. Paige graduated in May of 2022 from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Comedy Writing and Performance, as well as a minor in Marketing. When she isn’t answering your calls and emails, Paige is on Custom Ink designing merch we would never sell.

Understudies

AARON ALICEA

AARON ALICEA (he/him) is from the infamous Long Island, NY. He started doing standup in Columbus, OH in 2019, then moved to Chicago during the pandemic in 2021 (surprisingly an awful time to make such a massive life transition) and began exploring other comedy mediums. He has vast performance experience in improv, sketch writing, acting, and music from several theaters he calls home, like The Annoyance Theatre or The Pack Theater in LA. He has performed in hundreds of shows around the country, was a recipient of the Bob Curry Fellowship at Second City in 2023, is currently on the all-Latine comedy troupe Escándalo at iO Theater, and is working on several projects he’s excited to show you all. Follow this goofy, unmedicated Sagittarius on Instagram @theaaronalicea for updates.

P.S. he loves his mom, dad, and siblings for all of the unending support and patience in him “figuring it out”.

LEXI ALIOTO

LEXI ALIOTO (she/her) is thrilled to be performing with The Second City. She has recently performed with SC as an understudy for the e.t.c. revue, Oh The Places You’ll Glow!, as well as Rudolph Runs Wild for the kiddos. Notably, she has been a cast member of Second City’s She The People both at home in Chicago and on tour with residencies in Boston & San Diego. She is an alumni of Second City’s Severn Darden Graduate Programs TWISTY and Infinite Sundaes. She has improvised, written, and acted across many Chicago stages, including: The Revival (BLANK! The Musical), The Annoyance (Bite Sized Broadway), Drunk Shakespeare, and Theater Wit. She is proudly repped by Grossman & Jack Talent. Follow her @aalioto92.

KRISTEN AVILES

KRISTEN AVILES (she/her) is from the beautiful sunshine place of Staten Island, NY. After moving to Chicago in 2017 she is now a Chicago based comedian, improviser and beautiful singer. You can currently catch her sometimes in Clued-in (Second City), Shamilton (Second City), The Mermaids (Annoyance) or as an understudy for Alex Bellisle in Great Altercations right here in the e.t.c! If you want to follow along and see where she will be next, you can follow her on everything @kris10aviles

HOLLY BARRAS

HOLLY BARRAS (she/her) was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, but spent a lot of her childhood skipping rocks around Oklahoma before moving to Chicago in 2017. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2021 and is a Comedy Studies alumni. She can be seen performing with the Annoyance Ensemble Team Modern Crimes, and independent team Smoochers. She is currently an understudy for Second City’s Touring Company. Other performing credits include Splatter Theater (The Annoyance), Trigger Happy (The Annoyance), and New Team Smell (iO Theater).  She would like to thank her Dad for his constant love and support! When she isn’t performing and writing comedy, you can catch her playing Dance Dance Revolution and eating hummus (sometimes at the same time.) Follow her on Instagram @hollaycomeday

DENVER COLLINS

DENVER COLLINS (he/him) (@denverfromohio) is a writer, actor and improvisor who hails from the scenic Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio. He studied Journalism at Kent State University and taught English abroad before moving to Chicago in 2012. He joined Second City as an Understudy for the Touring Company RedCo in 2023. He performs regularly with the cast of Best of Annoyance Sketch (@bestofannoyancesketch) and iO’s improv ensemble Kohl’s Cash (@kohlscash.io). When he’s not performing, you can also see him outside riding his bike pretty much everywhere.

DEB DUNCAN

DEB DUNCAN (she/her) is so excited to be performing with The Second City! She’s a comedian, actress and musician proudly hailing from Akron, OH. She’s understudied for Mainstage revues Together at Last, Do The Right Thing, No Worries If Not and Don’t Quit Your Daydream and is currently understudying for The Second City National Touring Company. She also co-produces and hosts the podcast, Queer Movie Night and can be seen performing at Logan Square Improv. She also has a band with her wife, The Q’s and you can check out their album, Us Who Know, which is available on all streaming platforms! Follow her on Instagram @debradbag and @debraduncan on Twitter. Thank you to her best friend and love of her life, Kayla and their pup, Bea.

AVERY FORD

AVERY FORD (he/him) is an actor, writer, comedian originally from Houston, Texas. Avery attended Howard University and graduated from Colby College with a BA in Acting Techniques and a Bachelors of Education. He moved to Chicago in early 2023 and has since studied improv at iO Theater, Logan Square Improv, The Annoyance, CIC, and The Home Theater. He can be seen performing on the iO House Team Megalodonna, and is the Co-Creator of the monthly all black sketch show The Spades Table. Avery is grateful to The Second City for this opportunity, to his fabulous cast mates, and to his loving family. You can find Avery on all social media platforms at @Averyford200.

Colette Gregory headshot

COLETTE GREGORY

COLETTE GREGORY (she/her) is an award-winning writer, comedian, and actress. She is a 2024 Second City Bob Curry Fellowship recipient and the showrunner and a performer in the upcoming Chicago-based sketch show Out of the Loop which will be released on the Hipstr network. Colette was in the 2020 Second City Black History Month show and understudied for The Second City Mainstage and e.t.c. She toured the country using humor to teach sexual assault prevention with Catharsis Productions and produces SHADE: An Actually Diverse Comedy Show at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre Production from Northwestern University, as well as a Master of Arts and Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University–New York. You can catch her singing with RIFF: Chicago’s Music Improv Party, performing sketch comedy with Bosses in Bonnets, and doing improv with Baby Wine. Colette was recently featured on the third season of HBO’s South Side. Much love to her emotional support human, Andy, for being the best husband a goof could ask for. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @colettecomedy

DANI JAMES

DANI JAMES (she/her)  is an actor and curve model from Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. She can be seen improvising all around Chicago. She is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory and the School at Steppenwolf.  Her most recent credit is her one woman show “You Can Cry When You Get Home” which she performed at Steppenwolf Theatre Company as part of The Lookout series.  She has also modeled nationally and locally. Some favorites include Macys, Famous Footwear, and HUM Nutrition.She is represented by 10MGMT and 10 Talent Agency in Chicago.F or up

DAVE LYZENGA

DAVE LYZENGA (he/him) 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).

EMILY ANDERSON

EMILY ANDERSON (she/her) is a comedian and actor who studied Theatre and Creative Writing at Northwestern University. Favorite credits include Her Honor Jane Byrne (Lookingglass Theatre), understudying The Second City mainstage and e.t.c. revues The Devil Is In the Detours and Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone!, and solo show Mean to Me: An OCD Odyssey. She improvises with Whirled News Tonight (iO Theater), improv duo ME Time, and impersonates her own mother as the creator/host of the variety show, Doing Our Moms. Emily is represented by Grossman & Jack Talent. You can follow her on Instagram: @emilytheobsessed and @doingourmoms

 

LAURA MULCAHY

LAURA MULCAHY (she/her) moved to Chicago many years ago from the lakes of Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is an actor and improviser around Chicago and can be found at the Annoyance Theater, iO, and Logan Square Improv. She is also a contributor to ‘Reductress.’

DARYN ROBINSON

DARYN ROBINSON (she/her) is a writer and performer originally from Washington, D.C. She is thrilled to understudy for The Second City Touring Company! She also performs in other shows around Chicago, including Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical (Second City), Improvised Jane Austen (iO Theatre), My Best Friend is Black (Lincoln Lodge), and more. Daryn holds an MFA from Northwestern University (‘23) and her writing has been published in The Onion. Many thanks to her beloved co-producers, Mom and Dad! You can follow her on Instagram @daryn_2dream.

AUDREY SCHIFFHAUER

AUDREY SCHIFFHAUER (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.

CONNER STUMM

CONNER STUMM (he/him) is a Chicago based actor and comedian. He also performs weekly at iO Theater with his improv team, Creamboy. He has written several shows at the Annoyance Theatre where he has played roles like Batman, Scooby Doo, and The Grinch. He would like to thank his dad for always supporting him.

DOMINIC RESCIGNO

DOMINIC RESCIGNO (he/him) is a comedian, writer, and actor from Chicago. He starred as Antoni in QUEER EYE: THE MUSICAL PARODY at The Second City, where he also understudied DON’T QUIT YOUR DAYDREAM and DO THE RIGHT THING, NO WORRIES IF NOT on the Mainstage. Other credits include CHILDREN OF EDEN at the Cadillac Palace (with Stephen Schwartz!), MY FAIR LADY and DEAD MAN WALKING at Lyric Opera of Chicago, TONY N’ TINA’S WEDDING, and performances with iO Chicago, The Annoyance, The Onion, ClickHole, Walt Disney World, and more. His web series, The Dominics, has been critically ignored. Love and thanks to Cody, Lottie, and his family for all the support. www.dominicrescigno.com | @dominicrescigno

NICK WILSON

NICK WILSON (he/him) is an actor, improviser, and musician from the south suburbs of Chicago, Il. He’s a graduate of DePaul University, as well as Second City’s Conservatory program and the iO training center. He’s performed all over the city, mostly at iO, CIC and Second City, since 2016. His web series, Hammersmith: Hurdle of Dreams, for which he won Best Actor at the Chicago 48 Hour Film Project, went on to win at Filmapalooza in Paris and screen at the Cannes Film Festival.

FAITH VALERIE

FAITH VALERIE (she/her) is an actress, writer, dancer, singer, and model from Plainfield, IL. Her Second City career began while she was taking improv classes last year, during which she became an understudy for Dance Like There Are Black People Watching. She attended the University of Notre Dame, with a focus in Musical Theatre, as well as studied dance at Illinois Dance Academy and Revolution Dance Studio. She has school ties to two people in the show, guess who?! She is an accomplished model having photographed campaigns for Nike and walking runway shows for many designers in Chicago and New York. She loves her 7 siblings who are funnier than her, her parents, and nieces and nephews very much. She is also a House music head and you can find her following her DJ friends around the city. You can also find her playing with improv groups Crop-Top Comedy and Hot Girl Comedy and on Instagram @faithvaleriee. She is represented by 10MGMT with a partnership from Grossman & Jack Talent.

BRIAN COOPER (Understudy Music Director, he/him) 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.

BRYCE HALLIDAY (Understudy Music Director) is an Australian musician and audio producer, who has been based in Chicago since 2022. Since completing his Bachelor of Music at the Australian Institute of Music in 2012, Bryce has created music and sound design for a huge variety of projects, with a focus towards sketch and improvised comedy. In Chicago, he has been a music director at the renowned Second City, The Annoyance and iO theatres, and in 2023 he toured with original members of the US ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’ cast. His compositions can be found in video games (Birdsketball, Particulars), films (Diagnosis, Jimbra) and podcasts (Snowball, Conversations From The Abyss). Before moving to the USA, Bryce worked for five years at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation where he produced several acclaimed podcasts. Including the cult-hit comedy documentary ‘Finding Drago’ and the stand up comedy series ‘Alice Fraser Trilogy’, which Apple Podcasts named in their ‘Best Australian Podcasts’ 2018 list.

SETH PAE (Understudy Music Director, he/him) is a multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Chicago IL. Seth is Assistant Principal Viola of the Chicago Sinfonietta, a member of Chicago-based music collective, D-Composed, and freelances with several Chicagoland orchestral institutions. An artistic collaborator, educator, and mentor, he partners with Chicago area composers, arts organizations and creators on multitude of projects. A mainstay at several piano lounges, he has cultivated an active piano-vocal career. Visit sethpaemusic.com for more information and upcoming performances.

KATIE DREHER (Understudy Stage Manager, she/they)was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She spent time in Colorado studying educational theatre before coming to Illinois to pursue a career in stage management. Her recent stage management highlights include Matilda Jr. Paramount Theatre, Three Little Pigs Chicago Kids Company. Other credits include Young Performer Supervisor Sound of Music, School of Rock Paramount Theatre. (she/they)was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She spent time in Colorado studying educational theatre before coming to Illinois to pursue a career in stage management. Her recent stage management highlights include Matilda Jr. Paramount Theatre, Three Little Pigs Chicago Kids Company. Other credits include Young Performer Supervisor Sound of Music, School of Rock Paramount Theatre.

LEO (Understudy Stage Manager, they/them) has been in the theater game for most of their life, and is thrilled to be spending time stage managing, producing, and directing this year. This has been especially true since starring their own production company, Destined For Chaos Productions, which will be putting up two original reviews this year. You will find Leo stage managing various things throughout the building, including the long-running shows, “Baby Wants Candy” and “RIFF”. You can also see Leo performing around town, often doing music improv, which they have enjoyed since graduating Second City’s Music Improv Conservatory last year. Leo is happy any time they are doing something in a theater and is thrilled to be a part of this show! Check out their productions @destined_for_chaos

GABBY OWENS (Understudy Stage Manager, she/they) has been bouncing around the Chicago theater world since she moved here in 2018. When she’s not in a theater, she can frequently be found working as a dog walker, trying to get all the fresh air and puppy therapy that stage managing rarely offers. Past credits include: Richard III (Babes with Blades), Krugozor (Theatre Evolve), Matter Dance’s 2023 Spring Concert, Labyrinth (Broken Nose Theatre), Language Rooms (Broken Nose Theatre), Queen of the Mist (Firebrand Theatre).

 

CHARLETTE SAN JUAN (Understudy Stage Manger, she/her) is a Theatre Artist based in Chicago, Illinois, born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She has recently worked on Death Becomes Her (2024), MJ The Musical (2023), as well as Second City revues:  “Eat, Pray, Bigfoot in Love” (2022-2023), “Don’t Quit Your Daydream” (2023-2024). She produces the All-Asian showcase at Laugh Factory, “Model Majority”. Currently, she is working on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and is an understudy for the Second City Touring Co. & “Devil’s in the Detours” at the Mainstage of Second City.

Follow us on Social

About Us

  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Podcast
  • Careers
  • Auditions

Legal

Stay In The Loop

Join our mailing list to stay in the loop with news and events.

Copyright © 2024 The Second City