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: Matt Bryne & The Comedy Exposition

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews, News/Updates | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Matt Bryne & The Comedy Exposition

The Comedy Expo Hits Tonight

The Comedy ExpositionWith the absence of Just For Laughs in Chicago, this city was left with a gapping wide hole for standups. But fear not, The Comedy Exposition starts tonight and lasts throughout this weekend. I spoke with Matt Byrne, one of the producers of the festival, to get a few more details.

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NEWS: NBC Sketch Pilot Features Chicago Comedians

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: NBC Sketch Pilot Features Chicago Comedians

Chicago Takes Over NBC

NBC Sketch PilotWe’ve been hearing about it for about a year, but Splitsider just reported it, so it’s fair game now. NBC is producing a sketch comedy pilot featuring almost a dozen of your favorite Chicago-based comedians. With this kind of talent, how can this not be an amazing show?

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NEWS: MCL Chicago Opening in August

posted on by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: MCL Chicago Opening in August

Studio BE Is Now MCL Chicago.

MCL Logo

Studio BE has officially transformed into MCL Chicago – the first venue in the country solely dedicated  to musical improvisation and music comedy. MCL, which stands for Music Comedy Live, has come on to the scene in the middle of musical improv’s rise in Chicago. Since numbers don’t lie, the number of people graduating from The Second City’s Music Improv Training Program has tripled in the last four years.

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NEWS: Jams with Ambs

posted on by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: Jams with Ambs

A Musical Comedy Fusion

Jams with AmbsAmber Linde didn’t let other people’s doubt distract her from making it as musical improviser. When Linde discovered her preferred style of performing was embraced in the Chicago comedy scene, she took it upon herself to create her own opportunities. Thus, Jams with Ambs was born. Read More

NEWS: LAFS is Looking For Writers & Reviewers

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: LAFS is Looking For Writers & Reviewers

We Can’t Stop. We Won’t Stop.

LAFS is ExpandingChicago is bustling with comedy updates and an increasing number of shows every day. LAFS is trying to keep up, however, we need some assistance. LAFS is looking for contributing authors, sketch/improv show reviewers and a Social Media Coordinator. Continue reading for details.

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