Second City Alum Stephen Colbert Joins Group's Board of Directors

Chicago IL

10 June, 2021

11:32 AM

Description

CHICAGO — Stephen Colbert, the CBS late-night host who got his start at the famed Second City training center, is coming home – at least in an advisory role. Second City announced Thursday morning that Colbert, who hosts "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" is joining the company's board of directors. Colbert is a graduate of Northwestern University and will also chair Second City's Artistic Advisory Board, according to the announcement. "As a young comedian, The Second City was my first artistic home where I learned my chops and head the freedom to fail with my friends," Colbert said in a statement released by Second City. "I want to keep it that way." Second City recently reopened to the public for shows and classes at the training center after being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Shows and classes had been taking place virtually since last spring. Colbert was one of six members of the Board of Directors that was announced Thursday. Others include: Laura Kennedy, CEO of talent management and production group, AvalonChris Henchy, writer/producer/director and co-founder of Funny or DieLarry Irving, operating partner and Chief ESG Advisor at ZMC, a private equity group that owns Second CityBrad Jenkins, CEO of Enfranchisement Productions and senior advisor to The Asian American FoundationChris Licht, executive producer of "Late Night With Stephen Colbert" "We could not do better than to have an icon like Stephen helping us in our mission to grow The Second City in a way that honors the art and the brand, as well as provides a platform for a broader pool of talent," Second City CEO Parisa Jalili said in a news release. "The Second City name has become synonymous with comedic excellence, and we owe that to the talent, staff, alumni and audiences that form our community."