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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NEWS: ComedySportz Announces Comedy Theater Challenge

posted on August 4, 2014 by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: ComedySportz Announces Comedy Theater Challenge

Comedy Throwdown

ComedySportzComedySportz is known for the competitive edge it brings to improv comedy. This week, a few more comedy troupes are getting in on the game. August 7-9, ComedySportz is hosting The Comedy Theater Challenge. Top comedy theaters in the area will be competing with the ComedySportz game in a friendly improv challenge in front of a live audience. Read More

INTERVIEW: Tara DeFrancisco

posted on July 31, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Tara DeFrancisco

The Biggest Heart in Improv

Tara DeFrancisco

Courtesy of Sam Willard

Last January, as in January of 2013, I finally found a chance to sit down and chat with Miss Tara DeFrancisco — which turned into a three hour interview about life, improv and how the world goes ’round. As time has flown by, it is with my sincerest apologies that this is just now being posted for the first time. However, it is a Thursday…so we can say #TBT — LAFS’ interview with Tara DeFrancisco.
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Patiently Awaiting the New iO

posted on July 30, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter | Comments Off on Patiently Awaiting the New iO

A New Improv Home

New iOWith iO closing its Clark Street location two weeks ago, the Chicago comedy community is patiently awaiting the opening of their new improv home. In light of our patience, here’s a bit about what the LAFS team is most looking forward in regards to the new iO.

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NEWS: All Comedy Welcome at The Kickback

posted on July 29, 2014 by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: All Comedy Welcome at The Kickback

Anything Goes

The KickbackIf you can’t decide what kind of comedy you’re in the mood for, The Kickback might just be your thing. This Thursday, July 31st, The Kickback takes on a talk show/showcase/variety show format, welcoming all types of comedy — improv, sketch, standup, you name it. Host, Chris Redd, welcomes the best of Chicago comedy to perform new material as Redd throws surprise challenges at them throughout the show. Redd is developing the show to eventually be a touring production. Read More

The Last Harolds

posted on July 25, 2014 by Dan DeSalva posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on The Last Harolds

A Heartfelt Goodbye

iO Closing NightLast Saturday, the Chicago comedy community said farewell to iO‘s famous 3541 N Clark Street location. It was a send off like no other, but isn’t that what we all expected? Read More

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