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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
</b> <br>
<div align="center"><b>NFB of Maryland to Host LOL Comedy Night<br>
</b><i>Blind Actor Marilee Talkington Is Master of Ceremonies<br>
</i> <br>
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<b>Baltimore (July 1, 2021):</b> The National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland, the host affiliate for the 2021 national convention, is proud
to host the first-ever NFB LOL Comedy Night. The master of ceremonies for
the event is <a href="https://www.marileetalkington.com">Marilee
Talkington</a>, an acclaimed blind actor who recently appeared onscreen
in the Apple TV Plus adventure drama <i>See</i>. Nine blind contestants
will present comedy material to an audience of convention attendees, who
will then vote, American Idol-style, for the winner. The best two
performers will win cash prizes of $200 for first prize and $100 for
second prize. The event takes place Monday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Eastern. Like the convention, the event is virtual and is
accessible via Zoom link in the convention agenda and #nfB21 app. For
more information, visit
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/convention" eudora="autourl">
www.nfb.org/convention</a>.<br>
<br>
“We are proud to present this event, the first of its kind, as part of
the kickoff of the 2021 convention,” said Ronza Othman, president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. “Laughter and fun are
always an important part of our conventions, so we wanted to make it
official and to give rising blind comedians a chance to show us what
they’ve got.”<br>
<br>
Marilee Talkington, the emcee for the event, is an award winning actor,
writer, director, motivational speaker, and creator of new theatrical
works including <i>TRUCE, </i>her one-woman solo show (BBC 4) and several
short independent films. She spoke at the 2019 national convention after
her breakout TV role on the CBS crime drama <i>NCIS</i>, in which she
played Annie Barth, a blind witness whose information was critical to
solving a case. Later that year, she drew rave reviews from critics in
the role of Souter Bax in the first season of the Apple TV + sci-fi
adventure drama <i>See</i>, which also starred Jason Momoa and Academy
Award winner Alfre Woodard. In 2020, she received the NFB’s prestigious
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award for her work in helping transform the
entertainment industry's views of blind people and for founding Access
Acting Academy, a first of its kind acting program specifically for blind
and low vision performers.<br>
<br>
Marilee Talkington said: “I'm no stand-up comedian, but I love me some
comedy! And I'm delighted to continue my support of the NFB by emcee-ing
this event. We're gonna have some fun!" <br>
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<b>About the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland defends the rights
of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to
families with blind children, older Marylanders who are losing vision,
and more. The NFBMD is an affiliate of the National Federation of the
Blind, the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind
Americans. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work
together to transform them into reality. Learn more at
<a href="http://www.nfbmd.org">www.nfbmd.org</a>.<br>
<br>
<b>CONTACT:<br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Ronza Othman, </b>President<br>
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<br>
443-426-4110<br>
Pronouns: she, her, hers<br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we
raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you
want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br>
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