Andrew Alexander, CEO and producer at The Second City, confirmed the latest departures with Chicagoist on Friday and reiterated a sentiment he expressed earlier in the week, that “racist” audience taunts—which he said have reached unprecedented levels—were a factor.

"Over the last six months, we’ve seen a much higher level of audience verbal shout-outs; and sometimes those have become racist,” Alexander told Chicagoist. “And sometimes the host or employees would miss some. The actors were getting frustrated over time.”

“In 44 years of this work, I’ve never seen anything like it. The audience seems to feel like they have license in very unpleasant ways,” he added. "Ninety-nine percent of people are cool. But the jerk who used to keep his mouth shut now feels like he has the right to say something."

Alexander said he will be more involved with day-to-day operations following the exodus. “I will make sure our actors are protected,” he said.