NBCU’s Stand-Up For Diversity Showcase Selects 2 Winners Who Land Talent Deals
Comedians Gina Brilllon and Jon Laster took home the top honors at NBCUniversal’s ninth annual Stand-Up for Diversity comedy showcase held recently at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. The event, hosted by actor-comedian Alphonso McAuley, was the culmination of a four-city search for diverse comics. As winners, Brillon and Laster were signed to a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.
Brillon is a regular on the New York scene, performing at Caroline’s Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory, Standup New York, The Comic Strip and Gotham Comedy Club. Laster has performed at New York’s Caroline’s Comedy Club, the Boston Comedy Club and Comedy Works of his hometown of Denver. Laster also hosts his own weekly comedy night in Brooklyn, where he currently resides. Selected finalists also earned the honor of joining the touring company of the Stand-Up for Diversity College Tour. The 2012 finalists — in addition to Brillon and Laster — included David Smithyman, Arvin Mitchell, Rob Haze, Vladimir Caamano, Kortney Shane Williams, Ryan Sickler, Reyne Amaya and Mo Amer.
The talent search was overseen by Kendra Carter, Director, NBC Talent Diversity Initiatives.
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