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Don't Be A Bigot, Warns The Second City After 'Racist' Heckling

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 12, 2016 5:06PM

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The Second City / Facebook

After racist hecklers became so widespread at The Second City that multiple performers and staff members either temporarily or permanently left, the improv institution is explicitly warning it’s audience that it has ”a zero tolerance policy” against “hate speech of any kind.”

Since the exodus in October—which performer Peter Kim and Second City CEO Andrew Alexander told Chicagoist was spurned by racist crowds they believed to have been emboldened by the rise of Donald Trump—a warning sign has been posted and a video recording plays ahead of the new show, The Winner… of Our Discontent.

“Those verbalizing any homophobic, misogynistic, xenophobic, racist or prejudiced comments will be asked to leave,” the sign reads.

According to a Chicagoist writer who was in attendance over the weekend, the recording states “If you have to yell something, go home, yell them into a pillow, and then suffocate yourself with it."

The sign and recording have received increased press attention as of late, particularly since Friday’s media preview of Winner. (See Tribune critic Chris Jones’ Facebook post.) But a Second City spokesperson confirmed to Chicagoist that both have been a part of house protocol since before that performance.

Check out our past coverage of racist heckling at The Second City and the aftermath, and stay tuned for our review of Winner.

'Trump-Emboldened,' 'Racist' Crowds Feed An Exodus At The Second City In Chicago
Comedian Talks Quitting 'Dream Job' At Second City Due To Racist Audiences
Comedian Who Left Second City Over Racist Audiences Is Back With 'Crowd Sourced'