by Each year, StandUp NBC (known to old-timers as the contest, StandUp For Diversity) holds auditions and regional competitions in search of new, up-and-coming talent.
Recent winners have included Mike E. Winfield, Kiry Shabazz, JR De Guzman, and Dulcé Sloan.
This January, NBCUniversal named co-winners in Franqi French and Rene Vaca. Each of them earned talent holding deals with NBCUni, along with headlining slots at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) annual convention. They’ll also headline this year’s regional semifinalist showcases in five cities across the country for StandUp NBC. French and Vaca both are based in Los Angeles.
“Franqi and Rene were standouts in our showcase this year. They are hilarious, relatable and fearlessly share their personal stories. We couldn’t choose just one winner, so we decided to name them both,” said Grace Wu, Executive Vice President of Casting, NBC Entertainment. “We are excited for Franqi and Rene to join the rich legacy of comedic talent who have emerged from StandUp NBC.”
Would you like to be considered this year?
Here are the details:
Online Video Submissions: All cities will open a separate online video submissions window. Check below for dates. Comedians can log on and provide video inks (2 mins max) to recent performances. Top comics will be notified directly if they make it to LIVE auditions.
Regional Open Call Auditions
Auditions start at 9 a.m. in each city, but only the first 100 to 125 comedians to arrive will be seen, and each gets only one minute to perform initially. If you’re called back, you’ll get to do another set of 2-3 minutes. If you make it through the next cut, you’ll perform in a semifinal showcase that same weekend before a live audience, doing a 7-minute set.
2020 SCHEDULE & CITIES
CHICAGO — Laugh Factory
- Online Submissions: MARCH 27 – APRIL 19 (no open call audition)
- Semifinal showcase: June 14
OXNARD, Calif. — Levity Live
- Online Submissions: APRIL 10 – MAY 3
- Open Call Auditions: June 30
- Semifinal showcase: July 1
ATLANTA — Laughing Skull Comedy Club
- Online Submissions: APRIL 24 – MAY 17
- Open Call Auditions: July 18
- Semifinal showcase: July 19
NEW YORK — Gotham Comedy Club
- Online Submissions: MAY 23 – JUNE 14
- Open Call Auditions: Aug. 16
- Semifinal showcase: Aug. 17
DALLAS — Hyena’s Comedy Club
- Online Submissions: JUNE 6 – JULY 12
- Open Call Auditions: Sept. 12
- Semifinal showcase: Sept. 13
Los Angeles Finalist Showcase
NBCUniversal will fly approximately eight finalists to Los Angeles for a live showcase in January in front of industry.
