Congrats to Dulce Sloan, named winner of the 12th annual StandUp NBC (formerly called Stand-Up For Diversity) contest, and with it, a talent holding deal with NBC.
Former contest winner Tone Bell (NBC’s Truth Be Told, and just added to the cast of The CW’s The Flash) hosted the showcase finals at the Hollywood Improv. Other finalists for 2015: Alex Sparling, Alvin Irby, Christina Galston, Ian Aber, Jesus Sepulveda, Orlando Leyba, Trenton Davis and Randy Syphax.
“I am very blessed to have this opportunity,” said Sloan. “I’d like to thank my mother and NBC for embracing me and my talent.”
Sloan was a New Face at Montreal’s Just For Laughs this summer and finished runner-up in the annual Laughing Skull Comedy Festival contest in Atlanta, where she has been based.
She has appeared in multiple sketches for Rob Riggle’s “Riggle’s Picks” on FOX NFL Sunday, and also appeared on the ABC series Resurrection. Here she was this fall performing at a NACA regional showcase.
Official quotes from NBC suits…
“There were so many talented standups in NBCUniversal’s ‘StandUp NBC’ showcase and we are excited to have a talent hold deal with the hilarious DulcĂ© Sloan,” said Grace Wu, Executive Vice President of Casting for NBC Entertainment.
“Every year ‘StandUp NBC’ finds unknown comics with solid potential for our programming,” said executive producer Jandiz Cardoso. “Last year we discovered Lavar Walker, who was immediately brought into the next season of ‘Last Comic Standing.'”
Added Karen Horne, Senior Vice President of Programming Talent Development & Inclusion for NBC Entertainment: “It gives us great pride to be recognized in the industry as a genuine launching pad to help propel comics to new heights in their careers. Each year, the finale is attended by NBC’s comedy programming and casting teams, as well as several other networks, bookers and talent reps from around the country. Whether a comedian wants to pursue acting, writing or become a headliner, ‘StandUp NBC’ provides the exposure needed to fulfill that pursuit.”
Finalists in the annual showcase also will be packaged for a StandUP NBC campus tour through NACA.