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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Chicago SketchFest Recommendations: Part 1

posted on January 7, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on Chicago SketchFest Recommendations: Part 1

The Chicago Comedy Vortex is here…

Exquisite Corpse_SketchfestThe 13th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival begins at Stage 773 this Thursday night. Over 10,000 people are expected to flow in and out those doors to see roughly 180 different sketch comedy shows. It is overwhelming, which is why I have pulled out my recommendations of shows to see for this weekend. Next week, I will be posting my recommendations for the second half of Sketchfest. (Hint: Danny Pudi is playing with Siblings of Doctors, get your tickets before they sell out.)
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2014 New Year’s Resolutions

posted on January 3, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on 2014 New Year’s Resolutions

New Year. New You. Just Like Last Year.

2014Happy New Year’s everyone! This time every year, people find themselves hemming and hawing over what new ways they want to change themselves this year. How much more often will they go to the gym? How many more clubs will they join to meet new people? Will they finally give online dating a shot? You know, the usual. Well in light of comedy and in specific light of Chicago comedy, I bring you the resolutions of some of Chicago’s funny folks.

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REVIEW: It’s A Wonderful Pro-Life @ Studio BE

posted on December 20, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: It’s A Wonderful Pro-Life @ Studio BE

Dark Holiday Comedy

It's A Wonderful Pro-LifeIt’s A Wonderful Pro-Life is the darkest satirical holiday show I’ve seen so far. However, while this show may not give you the “Whoville” holiday spirit uplift, it does a wonderful job of exploring deeper life themes while still managing to find a happy ending.

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NEWS: Second City’s Katie Rich Added To SNL Writing Staff

posted on November 27, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: Second City’s Katie Rich Added To SNL Writing Staff

SNL Snags Another One

Katie Rich HeadshotToday it was officially released that Second City’s Mainstage cast member, Kate Rich, will be joining SNL as a writer. A big congratulations to Katie as this is a much deserved position! To read more about Katie, check out “9 Major Players in Chicago Comedy to Watch Out For in 2013.”

INTERVIEW: @WeFoughtAbout with Alan Linic & Claire Meyer

posted on November 15, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: @WeFoughtAbout with Alan Linic & Claire Meyer

Slim Love Finds Fame

@WeFoughtAboutIf you haven’t already heard about the rapid rise of fame for the @WeFoughtAbout Twitter handle, you’re probably the only one. Chicago improvisers Alan Linic and Claire Meyer have been dating since March and decided to start a Twitter handle to document some of the everyday things that triggered disputes in their relationship. Last week, NYMAG got wind of this project, published a piece and it spread like viral wildfire. We’re talking coast to coast and all throughout the world. Read More

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