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: TIM @ iO

posted on August 29, 2012 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | 1 comment

Give me more Timmy Mayse.

TIM Poster

I am on cloud nine. So many Tims just made my world complete this evening. I have had the pleasure of seeing this show one other time, but tonight was a pleasure all unto it’s own. Tim Whetham, Tim Chidester, Tim Stoltenberg, Tim Ryder, Tim Paul and Timmy Mayse all made an appearance tonight.

Timmy Mayse is one of my favorite improvisers. Period. He owns his shit from the moment he steps on stage. Every time, without fail. From a sexually distraught woman pining for a spicy lover to an attorney role-playing southern prostitution with his wife to a soloist handicap kid singing about how RoboCop has had a hand in all major events throughout American history, Timmy Mayse, my friends, does it all. This guy absolutely kills me. I would watch every show he’s in if I could. It’s like indulging in a great desert. Timmy Mayse is my improv decadence.
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New Comedy Fest: Chicago School of Comedy

posted on August 27, 2012 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on New Comedy Fest: Chicago School of Comedy

Chicago School of Comedy

Chicagoans love their art museum, are proud of their architecture, and brag about their hot dogs. Now, the Chicago School of Comedy wants our city to celebrate one of its most important legacies: its stature as the influential center of American comedy.

For the last 50 years, Chicago has fostered a thriving community of improv performers. What started as a few actors doing experimental theater games has transformed into a true American art form, and today, thousands of people flock to Chicago every year to study with improv legends.

This fall, Chicago School of Comedy and Navy Pier are proud to announce an inaugural event, 4-Star Comedy Fest at Navy Pier, which will showcase this city’s rich tradition of improv comedy.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, Chicagoans will celebrate the art form of improvisation as it was developed here in Chicago with a full day of classes, discussion and performances by Chicago’s premiere talent.

Co-produced by Jimmy Carrane and Ben Capraro, the festival will include free workshops during the day taught by three of Chicago’s most renowned improv training centers: iO, ComedySportz and The Annoyance Theater.

At night, the Grand Ball Room will be transformed into an intimate cabaret setting to host performances by some of Chicago’s most acclaimed improv performers including:

  • Baby Wants Candy
  • Cook County Social Club
  • Improvised Shakespeare Co.
  • Uncle’s Brother, featuring SNL alum Tim Meadows!

Whether you are new to improv, a comedy pro or just simply love to laugh, 4-Star Comedy Fest at Navy Pier will be the place to be on Oct. 6. You won’t want to miss this inaugural Navy Pier event!

For additional details, on the festival, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheChicagoSchoolOfComedy

INTERVIEW: Colleen Doyle

posted on August 22, 2012 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Colleen Doyle

I think everybody is funny, with notable exceptions.

Colleen Doyle

Colleen Doyle is one of the most respected comedians in the industry. She has been all over the world performing and writing and is insanely humble about all of it. I was fortunate enough to have her as a teacher at iO and she was kind enough to meet me before class one day to sit down and share her thoughts on the bravery of improvisers, how she happened to fall into this world, where she hopes to go next and my sweatshirt dress.

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INTERVIEW: Ayala Skopp

posted on August 20, 2012 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Ayala Skopp

I’ve always been a bit of a comedy pervert.

Ayala SkoppThe first day I met Ayala, I was amazed. We both started classes at iO together and from day one, I was intimidated out of my mind. I came home and told my boyfriend about her and said, “She will be on SNL someday.” Now, I hope I’m not cursing her by saying that, but I really do believe it. Ayala is hilarious and fearless and I was more than eager to get down her story and share it with all of you. Now, I know Ayala quite well and I love her dearly, so I hope for your sake, someday you have the privilege of getting to know her a bit better too. Ladies and gentlemen, Ayala Skopp.

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REVIEW: The Improvised Shakespeare Company @ iO

posted on August 11, 2012 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: The Improvised Shakespeare Company @ iO

The Improvised Shakespeare Company

Improvised Shakespeare CompanyThey’ve done it again, as they do every Friday night.

I saw The Improvised Shakespeare Company last night at iO and the night led off with the suggestion of “Funky Monkey.” I watched as the story began with a shipwrecked crew getting washed ashore and the Captain and his daughter end up meeting Abraxas, a creature on the island who was under the obedience of the master, Megaphon. Meanwhile, lost men, Antonio and Rodrigo, find one another and together search for Rodrigo’s long lost love, Gwendolyn, who happens to be the Captain’s daughter. A tricky creature Storio appears throughout the show flinging poo wherever he goes and transforming into various characters and causing mischief. As their journey continues to connect the Captain with Megaphon and for Rodrigo and Gwendolyn to find one another, Rodrigo and Antonio end up kissing and “hugging like bugs,” a centaur ends up entering the story and fires roar on stage.

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