The Last LAF

All Good Things Must Come to an End This is the most difficult post I've had to write and coincidentally, it will also be my last. Today marks a day I was never convinced would come. Today, LAFS is two years old. It has been an incredible two years, absolutely incredible filled with more excitement, laughter, awe and humility than I could have ever dreamed. However, today is bittersweet, because today is Read More

INTERVIEW: Charna Halpern

The Mother of Improv Comedy I first fell in love with improv at iO's Clark Street location. iO changed my life, but my story is not unlike many others. Charna created a world at iO that many call "home" and it has become the center of their universe. Charna Halpern is one of the most influential people in improv, has paved the path for hundreds of comedians over the last few Read More

INTERVIEW: Matt Besser

Focus on the Game. Matt Besser is one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). UCB started as a Chicago-based improv team composed of Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Amy Poehler and has transformed into a well-known comedy establishment in New York City and Los Angeles. These folks not only formed UCB but Besser, Roberts, Walsh and friends regularly perform together as ASSSSCAT. ASSSSCAT will be performing, with a Read More

INTERVIEW: Dan Bakkedahl

Just make a choice. Dan Bakkedahl has made his mark on Chicago's comedy scene. Coming up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Dan spent a lot of time at iO and Second City. Since his departure, you may have seen him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Community, Veep, Legit or a number of other television appearances. He was also in The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa Read More

INTERVIEW: Carisa Barreca

Do everything, because you’re going to need all of it. I am declaring Carisa Barreca Second City's sweetheart. One of the most beautiful, talented, kind and humble ladies I have ever met, Carisa has a heart of gold and nothing but good intentions. With a lifetime of performance background, she can do just about anything you throw at her. I was so lucky to be able to sit down with Read More

INTERVIEW: Scott Adsit and John Lutz

Hitting Your Mark in Hollywood Thanks to Aren Zolninger from Chicago Improv Productions, I was able to sneak in a few minutes to interview Scott Adsit and John Lutz before they took the stage for their "Super Secret" midnight show at Stage 773. As we were waiting for the show ahead of us to clear out, Scott, John and I stepped into a back hallway with CIP staff and a Read More

INTERVIEW: Tim Baltz

If you’re not listening, you’re going to miss the joke. After months of trying to nail down both of our schedules after Tim left Second City's Mainstage, I was finally able to meet up with him to talk life and comedy. I had the pleasure of meeting Tim last Fall at Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd and for obvious reasons, I was dead set on interviewing him. Tim is extremely passionate Read More

INTERVIEW: Ted Tremper

Just love what you love and let that be the work that you do. It was a true pleasure interviewing Ted, as I have an incredible amount of respect for him as a person, performer and filmmaker. He's so talented and is such a genuinely kind human being. We met at iO on a late November morning and, truth be told, divulged a great deal of personal details, some of which Read More

INTERVIEW: TJ Jagodowski

I am truly the luckiest person I know. TJ Jagodowski is not only one of the most brilliant improvisers I have ever seen, he's also one of the nicest guys I've ever met. I've bumped into TJ a number of times around iO, but it wasn't until the end of October where I had the pleasure of taking a class taught by him. This man is a poet and every Read More

INTERVIEW: Jet Eveleth

Dream big and then do it. I met Jet at her apartment where she lives with her improviser beau, Brett Elam and his sister Erica. We chatted about where her name came from, some of life’s big questions, drinking sake before bed to live longer and then she told me the details of the secret she’s been keeping from everyone for the last two years… Alright Jet, the first thing I Read More
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Join Photographer Sam Willard for IMPROVISORS Photo Shoot @ CIF

posted on April 3, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews, News/Updates | Comments Off on Join Photographer Sam Willard for IMPROVISORS Photo Shoot @ CIF

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words.

David Razowsky_IMPROVISORSSan Francisco photographer and improviser, Sam Willard, has found himself a niche – photographing improvisers. He is traveling around the country in pursuit of capturing hundreds of photos to be stylized and added to his collection. Sam reached out to LAFS in an effort to try to connect with the Chicago comedy community during The Chicago Improv Festival. So take a look at what he’s all about and if you haven’t already, get in touch with him to be added to this sweet collection of photos! He’s in town through Sunday.

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INTERVIEW: Matt Besser

posted on April 2, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Matt Besser

Focus on the Game.

Matt BesserMatt Besser is one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). UCB started as a Chicago-based improv team composed of Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Amy Poehler and has transformed into a well-known comedy establishment in New York City and Los Angeles. These folks not only formed UCB but Besser, Roberts, Walsh and friends regularly perform together as ASSSSCAT. ASSSSCAT will be performing, with a few alterations to the lineup, at UP Comedy Club on Sunday April 6th as part of the Chicago Improv Festival. Besser shared a few words with me about how he got started and some of his favorite moments.

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Chicago Improv Festival Recommended Shows

posted on March 28, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on Chicago Improv Festival Recommended Shows

So many shows. So little time.

Chicago Improv FestivalMonday kicks off the 17th Annual Chicago Improv Festival (CIF), one of, if not the largest improv festival in the world. This year CIF will host 204 ensembles in 95 individual shows from nine countries and 21 venues throughout Chicago. I know it’s overwhelming trying to decide which of the 95 shows one would want to purchase tickets to, and to each their own, but here are my recommendations for this year’s Chicago Improv Festival.

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INTERVIEW: Dan Bakkedahl

posted on March 26, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Dan Bakkedahl

Just make a choice.

Dan BakkedahlDan Bakkedahl has made his mark on Chicago’s comedy scene. Coming up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Dan spent a lot of time at iO and Second City. Since his departure, you may have seen him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Community, Veep, Legit or a number of other television appearances. He was also in The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy last year. Dan will be joined by Chicago comedy legend, Ed Furman, on The Second City’s e.t.c. stage Tuesday, April 1st as Trainwreck for the second night of The Chicago Improv Festival. Dan was kind enough to speak with me and here’s what he has to say about the show and his time performing in Chicago.

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REVIEW: Anarchy – An Improvised Rock Opera @ Studio BE

posted on March 25, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Anarchy – An Improvised Rock Opera @ Studio BE

Bold. Daring. Talented.

Anarchy: An Improvised Rock OperaAnarchy: An Improvised Rock Opera blew my mind. If you’re a fan of musical improv, you must see this show. If you even like improv a little bit, you must see this show.

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