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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INTERVIEW: Casey Whitaker

posted on March 28, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | 1 comment

Let go and don’t take life so seriously.

Casey Whitaker HeadshotCasey might be the kindest and most hospitable interviewee yet. I met Casey at her apartment where she informed me she had French bread pizza and wine waiting for us. What a doll. As she sat in her prize, plush, vintage chair, we chatted over a glass of wine about her passion for this craft, the hurdles she jumped over to get to where she is and how empowered she feels being an independent woman in comedy. Then we mentioned Destiny’s Child. Everything comes back to Beyonce. Everything. Miss Casey Whitaker, ladies and gents. What a sweetheart.

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REVIEW: Hitch*Cocktails @ The Annoyance Theatre

posted on March 22, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Hitch*Cocktails @ The Annoyance Theatre

Improvised Drinking Thriller

Hitch*Cocktails

Photo courtesy of Facebook

This show began with a run at iO the second half of last year and I was kicking myself that I didn’t get a chance to see it. Lucky for all of us, it has now had it’s run extended at The Annoyance Theatre until the end of April. The show begins with an audience suggestion of something to fear and then the players create an hour long thriller in the style of Alfred Hitchcock. Any elements you might associate with a “thriller,” you’ll find them here. You’ll also find alcoholic beverages. As it is clearly stated at the beginning of the show, each cast member must always accept a drink when offered and must finish their drink by the end of the scene. Hitch*Cocktails is an exceptional genre improvised comedy and only gets better as each cast member’s wits are tested as the show progresses, both by their peers and their drinking tolerance. Read More

Splitsider’s Guide to Chicago’s Comedy Scene is On Point

posted on March 19, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on Splitsider’s Guide to Chicago’s Comedy Scene is On Point

Chicago: The Comedy Incubator

Chicago

Today Splitsider released their Guide to Chicago’s Comedy Scene and it was spot on. Almost every theatre was touched on: iO, Second City, Annoyance, Chemically Imbalanced Theatre, The Upstairs Gallery, The Crocodile, Public House Theatre and so many more. Not only were there a dozen plus stages called out, there were even more individual shows mentioned as well: TJ & Dave, The Deltones, Cook County Social Club, The Improvised Shakespeare Company, Holy Fuck Comedy Hour, Messing with a Friend and so many more. Read More

REVIEW: Thirsty @ The Apollo Theatre

posted on March 15, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Thirsty @ The Apollo Theatre

Improvised Comedy & Drinking = Win.

Thirsty_SittingLadies and gents, there are a number of wonderful theatres and venues to tickle your fancy and make you giggle on any night of the week in this wonderful city. However, I would like to inform you of one that I have recently discovered and I highly encourage every single one of you to buy your tickets now and saddle up for a great night. I present “Thirsty” at the Apollo Theatre. Read More

iO Del Awards

posted on March 13, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on iO Del Awards

A night of love and laughter.

The Del Awards

For everyone who was around Wrigleyville last Wednesday, you might have noticed the hundred or so people who flooded the Del Close Theatre at iO to not only honor the late Del Close, but also to host the Del Awards. The Del Awards are iO’s annual awards which are voted on by performers, staff and interns and are then awarded in a night of laughter, drinking and so many hugs. Read More
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