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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REVIEW: Better Halves @ The Public House Theatre

posted on March 25, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Better Halves @ The Public House Theatre

Grace And Subtly Cloaked in Human Connection

Better Halves

I think it’s well established now that I’m a sucker for any type of romantic comedy. That’s fine, I’ll own that. Better Halves could be labeled as a romantic comedy as it explores various relationships and is simultaneously humorous, but the truth is, it’s so much more than that.

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2014 Chicago Improv Festival Workshops

posted on March 21, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on 2014 Chicago Improv Festival Workshops

CIF Workshops Up For Grabs

Chicago Improv Festival WorkshopsCalling all comedy nerds, this is a great opportunity to get some one-on-one face time with eleven huge names in comedy. The 17th Annual Chicago Improv Festival is right around the corner and some of your favorite comedy icons will be in town both performing and teaching workshops. The workshops are held on Saturday, April 5th and Sunday, April 6th. These tend to sell out, so make sure to snag a spot before they’re all gone.

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VIDEO: Young Couple by Brandon Ogborn, Brianna Baker & Michael Malarkey

posted on March 20, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Features, Video | Comments Off on VIDEO: Young Couple by Brandon Ogborn, Brianna Baker & Michael Malarkey

Artistic Grounded Chicago Romantic Comedy

Young CoupleBrandon Ogborn, Brianna Baker and Michael Malarkey combine forces for “Young Couple,” my new favorite web series. Ogborn and Baker previously worked together on The TomKat Project and knowing how brilliant that production was, only adds to my anticipation for the launch of this series.  Read More

VIDEO: Teachers by The Katydids

posted on March 19, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Features, Video | 1 comment

“Teachers” is Turning Into a TV Pilot

Teachers Web SeriesIt was announced today that “Teachers” web series has been picked up as a pilot for TV Land. The Chicago female comedy group, The Katydids, are the ones behind this masterpiece. The Chicago community couldn’t be more excited for these ladies. Read More

Nerd Comedy Festival @ Stage 773

posted on March 18, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on Nerd Comedy Festival @ Stage 773

Nerd Alert. The Comedians Have Arrived.

NerdComedyFestivalChicago’s comedy scene is about to get wild. In two weeks, Chicago will host the country’s (maybe even the world’s) largest improv festival – The Chicago Improv Festival. However, as a precursor to that festival, let’s divert all eyes to the Second Annual Nerd Comedy Festival hosted at Stage 773 this week. Many of us comedy folks happily identify ourselves as nerds, so it only seems fitting to make an entire festival celebrating this fully-embraced character trait. I spoke with Katie Johnston-Smith, creator and co-producer of this festival to gather a bit more insight into what it’s all about.

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