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

INTERVIEW: Holly Laurent

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You Have All The Time In The World

Holly LaurentThe lovely Holly Laurent spent fifteen years studying, performing and teaching comedy in Chicago before moving out to Los Angeles last fall. She’ll be back next week with fellow Mainstage alum, Katie Rich, performing at the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival (CWFF) and she was kind enough to share a few words with me about how she got started, her advice to younger performers and what she sounds like when she lets her guard down.

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INTERVIEW: Jill Valentine and Liz McArthur

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The Masterminds Behind Chicago Women’s Funny Festival

Jill Valentine and Liz McArthurChicago boasts of funny women all day long. However, from June 5th through June 8th there will be an influx of comediennes flowing in and out of the doors to Stage 773 for The 3rd Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival (CWFF). I spoke with Executive Producer, Jill Valentine, and Associate Producer, Liz McArthur, to learn a bit more about what to expect at this year’s fest. Read More

INTERVIEW: Kate Lambert

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Student Turned Teacher.

Kate LambertKate Lambert is a well-recognized name around the Chicago comedy community. I was lucky enough to snag some of her time for this interview before she move to Los Angeles this week to pursue the next step in her career. Well Kate, we’ll miss you around town and best of luck lady!

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Join Photographer Sam Willard for IMPROVISORS Photo Shoot @ CIF

posted on 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 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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