Comedian Jenny Slate to speak on campus Thursday

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Source: A&O Productions

Jenny Slate. Slate — an actress, writer and stand-up comedian — will speak Thursday at an event hosted by A&O Productions and College Democrats.

Maddie Burakoff, Campus Editor

A&O Productions, in collaboration with College Democrats, will host comedians Jenny Slate and Gabe Liedman as its winter speakers, the student group announced in a Friday news release.

Slate — an actress, writer and stand-up comedian — has appeared in a variety of comedy series, including “Saturday Night Live,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Bob’s Burgers.” She won a Critics’ Choice Award for her performance in the 2014 romantic comedy “Obvious Child” and is currently filming another movie, the release said.

Liedman has performed alongside Slate in stand-up show Big Terrific and in “Obvious Child.” He most recently worked as a supervising producer on the Amazon series “Transparent,” according to the release, and also has credits on “Broad City” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”

The event will consist of a stand-up comedy show and a Q&A session moderated by filmmaker and actress Kris Swanberg, according to the release.

A&O co-chair Louisa Wyatt said both performers are “really, really funny” and bring different comedy backgrounds. She said A&O looks to host speakers who can bring new opinions and insights — like Slate, who she said is an “outspoken feminist.”

“We want to bring people who are talented and great and entertaining and put on a good show,” the Medill senior said. “But also bring interesting and new perspectives, and inspire people.”

The event will be held March 1 in Ryan Auditorium, the release said. Tickets will be available for $5 through the Norris Box Office.

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Twitter: @madsburk