Although it's based in New York, Saturday Night Live is being invaded by performers from Chicago. The show announced this week the addition of three new comedians to the SNL cast of characters. All three hail from Chicago, IL.
After Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Abby Elliott departed the show, the hiring crew at SNL recruited three new replacements, all of whom are veterans of the Second City improv troupe in Chicago. The cast and crew of Saturday Night Live now officially welcomes aboard Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson and Cecily Strong for the upcoming 2012-2013 season.
Aidy Bryant, originally from Phoenix, AZ, graduated from Columbia College Chicago and has long since been a part of the Chicago comedy scene. She performs at Second City comedy club, The Annoyance Theater & Bar, iO Chicago Theater and with "the completely improvised musical" Baby Wants Candy.
Tim Robinson, who is from Detroit, MI but currently resides in Chicago, also performs at Second City and iO and has also created videos for the Just For Laughs Chicago Festival, which led to a pilot deal with Comedy Central. Sadly the show was not picked up.
Cecily Strong, who earned her BFA in Theater from California Institute of the Arts most recently performed for the Second City National Touring Company. She too is a regular at iO. In addition, she has appeared at the Chicago Sketchfest, Chicago Just For Laughs, The New York Sketchfest and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The new trio will hit the stage for the 38th season of SNL, which kicks off on September 15th. The host that night will be Seth MacFarlane and musical guest Frank Ocean is scheduled to perform.