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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The Centennial Post

posted on January 15, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews, News/Updates | Comments Off on The Centennial Post

100th Post: Recap and Answers

100thPostEvery single post on this blog has been a true labor of love and I can’t believe this is the 100th one. From interviews and show reviews to must reads and life posts, LAFS has escalated from this tiny little home-grown project to being the single one thing that has shaped so much of my life today. I won’t get into all the details about everything I’ve learned or opportunities this blog has given me, (because I already did that not too long ago). But I did want to take a few moments to highlight the various responses I’ve gathered about the greatest insights people have discovered between life and comedy and answer a few questions people have asked of me.

Read More

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.”

Chicago Improv League Finals @ ComedySportz

posted on November 15, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on Chicago Improv League Finals @ ComedySportz

The Final Countdown

CILFinalsOn Sunday nights, 9 teams comprised of 65 experienced, budding improvisers can be found battling one another at ComedySportz in the second season of what we like to call the Chicago Improv League (CIL). It is part of Chicago Improv Productions (CIP), the labor of love and brainchild of Executive Producer Jonathan Pitts. These players are selected from graduates of national college improv teams that were involved with College Improv Tournament (CIT) during their undergrad experience. Needless to say, they put up a great show week after week and this Sunday is their final competition. I got the inside scoop from Jonathan Pitts and a few words from the three teams in this Sunday’s Finals: Dads of Anarchy, Balt & Co and reigning champs, d’Hôtél Winñetkå. Read More

NEWS: The Annoyance Raises Funds for New Home

posted on November 5, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: The Annoyance Raises Funds for New Home

A True Community Effort

Mick Napier and Jennifer Estlin Annoyance Kickstarter SuccessI’ve said for the last two years how much love and support there is in this Chicago comedy community and today it was proven true. Today, The Annoyance Theatre met their goal of $50,000 for their Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds for their new theatre. Second City CEO, Andrew Alexander, will be matching the entire $50,000 in support of this new theatre. What an incredible community effort. Over 500 contributors, over $50,000 in just over two weeks time.

Congratulations to Mick and Jennifer, we are all so excited for this new space!
Check out this thank you video, I’ve never seen Mick smile so big!

NEWS: The TomKat Project Goes to Hollywood

posted on October 23, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: The TomKat Project Goes to Hollywood

Packing up and Heading West

The TomKat ProjectThe TomKat Project has taken over Chicago, made a big splash at the New York Fringe Festival in August and is now heading to Hollywood. From Friday November 15th-Sunday November 17th, The TomKat Project will be performing at iO West. I loved this production, check out my review of The TomKat Project. Also check out the promotional video and buy tickets now! Read More

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