That's a Wrap on the Los Angeles Diversity in Comedy Festival 2018

For four days last week, up-and-coming voices and established comedy veterans performed and mingled on the West Coast for the 3rd annual Los Angeles Diversity in Comedy Festival hosted by The Second City Hollywood. The fest featured diverse performers from the realms of sketch, improv, and stand-up comedy as well as a host of  panels and workshops.

Thank you to The Black Version for headlining with an amazing display of the musical improv skills it takes to use a title suggestion from the audience and performing the black version of that movie. The Black Version is an all-African-American cast that includes show creator Jordan Black along with comedy veterans Phil LaMarr, Nyima Funk, Gary Anthony Williams, Daniele Gaither and Cedric Yarbrough, under the direction of Karen Maruyama.

First-time headlines to LADCF were Queer Window with special guests UMPO Series: The Unauthorized Musical Parody Of. Queer Window is a celebration of the queer community and culture through performances in improv, drag, stand-up, music and dance. UMPO Series recreates and reinvents your favorite movies, using a spate of hit pop songs to breathe new life into the plot and characters--thanks to a live band and a talent pool which includes Broadway stars, Tony winners, singers, musicians, and familiar faces from film and television.

Sponsored by 3 Arts Entertainment, NBC, Thruline Entertainment and the Nickelodeon Writing Program, LADCF also proudly debuted Second City Hollywood's first-ever class of Bob Curry Fellows in a three-night showcase.

 

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A post shared by Mario Barra (@mariobarra96) on Oct 11, 2018 at 3:59pm PDT

...And keep scrolling to see more highlights of #LADCF 2018!

 

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#Repost @ithamarenriquez ・・・ From last night’s Variety Show. @ryrynemnem vs @ericwattsla With special guest @amiedv as Jojo the puppet. So much of what I love is in this clip! (📹: @thesecondcity ) #ladcf #ladcf18

A post shared by Second City Hollywood (@secondcityhollywood) on Oct 14, 2018 at 10:53pm PDT

 

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Thank you @secondcityhollywood for having us back at #LADCF Another amazing experience!!! Now, time to after party! 🎉 🎊💃🏾

A post shared by The Color Collective (@colorcollectivecomedy) on Oct 14, 2018 at 7:03pm PDT

 

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We are so excited to have all three The Second City locations on our panel today, Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles! Thank you to: (left to right) Nancy Hayden (Associate Artistic Director), Dionna Griffin-Irons (Director of Diversity & Inclusion), Claudia Wallace (SC Casting), Anthony LeBlanc (Artistic Director Chicago), Kevin Frank (Artistic Director Toronto), Aimee Ambroziak (Associate Artistic Director Toronto), and Joshua Funk (Artistic Director Hollywood) #ladcf18 #secondcity #diversity #panel

A post shared by Second City Hollywood (@secondcityhollywood) on Oct 13, 2018 at 1:23pm PDT

 

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#SometimesI make people laugh! Fun times tonight @secondcityhollywood performing on @newjackcomedy show on the #ladcf18

A post shared by Taquita Love (@taqweet) on Oct 13, 2018 at 7:29pm PDT

 

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Two #sisters and two #KILLER shows! We had such a fun time at #ladcf18 @secondcityhollywood! 🤣🔪❤#thegradytwins @slychum @ithamarenriquez . . . #comedy #comedyduo #sketchcomedy #sketchshow #comedylife #sketchcomedian #actorslife #ladcf #secondcity #secondcityhollywood #funny #spooky #comedyfestival #fun #losangeles #la #hollywood 📸 @darbyraemac

A post shared by Jennifer Polania (@polania_sly) on Oct 14, 2018 at 2:04pm PDT

 

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Thank you to @ithamarenriquez for having us in his variety show at @secondcityhollywood LA’s Diversity in Comedy Festival!!! #puppetsamok #puppeteer #puppeteerlife #secondcity #secondcityhollywood #ladcf #ladcf18 #ithamarenriquezvarietyspectacular

A post shared by Puppets Amok (@puppetsamok) on Oct 14, 2018 at 9:30am PDT

 

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Nice little Saturday . . . #secondcityhollywood #thrulineentertainment #inclusionmatters #inclusion #ladcf18

A post shared by Jayme Yarow (@jaymesyarow) on Oct 13, 2018 at 7:30pm PDT

 

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CONGRATULATIONS to @ammyavocado for winning the LADCF18 THRULINE SCHOLARSHIP! She’ll receive one year of free classes in 2019, thank you to Thruline Entertainment for sponsoring the scholarship, Ammy was picked from a long list of applicants, by the LADCF Committee and the The Second City Director of Diversity & Outreach, and we’re so happy to watch her shine! 🌴 #ladcf18 #scholarship #thrulineentertainment #secondcity #diversity #actors #training

A post shared by Second City Hollywood (@secondcityhollywood) on Oct 14, 2018 at 12:43pm PDT

 

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#LADCF18 So much fun today participating in the LA Diversity in Comedy Festival! We are off tomorrow while the festivals rages on, see the whole lineup at ladiversityfestival.com and we’ll see everyone next Sat & Sun at noon for your favorite family friendly improv show!!! . . . #secondcity #kids #thingstodowithkids #familyfriendly #weekend #affordable

A post shared by Second City Hollywood (@secondcityhollywood) on Oct 13, 2018 at 6:44pm PDT

 

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The Black Version @secondcityhollywood LA Diversity in Comedy Festival! #ladcf #blackactors #blackcomedy #losangelos #hollywood

A post shared by Rochelle@WaR (@rochelle_war) on Oct 13, 2018 at 12:11am PDT

 

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Little moment of our final sketch at #ladcf @secondcityhollywood 🎯 I know, I'm sorry you missed it, too. Maybe we bring it to NYC...? (Also, These women. ♀Fuuuuuq. So incredible. Me explico?)

A post shared by Ceci Fernandez (@itscecifernandez) on Oct 14, 2018 at 9:39am PDT

Can't wait for 2019!