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

REVIEW: To Kill An Angry Bird @ Stage 773

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: To Kill An Angry Bird @ Stage 773

Everything I Ever Wanted.

How To Kill An Angry BirdTo Kill An Angry Bird was everything I’d ever want in a sketch show. Annie Goodson (Writer/Director) and Willie Opper (Writer/Producer) hit the nail on the head with this intricate portrayal of human evolution and unfortunate flaws in our modern culture.

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NEWS: Chicago’s Matt Miller Signs on with Cap Gun Collective

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: Chicago’s Matt Miller Signs on with Cap Gun Collective

Chicago Director Recognized

Matt MillerToday it was announced that Matt Miller, Second City Training Center faculty and director of the Chicago-based “Teachers” web series, has signed on with Cap Gun Collective for U.S. representation. Miller joins Abteen Bagheri, Docter Twins, Alex Fendrich, Tom Haines, Tomas Mankovsky, Jeppe Rønde, Michael Sewandono and Spooner/Bonde on the U.S. roster.

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Just For Laughs Hits Up Chicago For New Talent

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on Just For Laughs Hits Up Chicago For New Talent

‘Cause they know what’s up.

Just For LaughsJust For Laughs (JFL) will be scouring Chicago for comedy talent all of next week. Including character and stand-up sets at multiple different venues throughout the city. Every year JFL holds showcases for comedians to audition for a spot in the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, so don’t miss this. Most of the tickets are FREE. So check out the details below to see which nights you want to get in on the action.

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VIDEO: Exquisite Corpse TV Pilot Premiere

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Features, News/Updates, Video | Comments Off on VIDEO: Exquisite Corpse TV Pilot Premiere

Tim Burton Meets Wes Anderson

Exquisite CorpseThe gentlemen of Claymore Productions have decided to premiere their TV pilot online this Wednesday, April 16th. I had the privilege to see this pilot last fall at the NYTVF screening in Chicago and this pilot is something special. It’s a crazy collage of visual mastery. In my opinion, this would be the pilot offspring of Tim Burton and Wes Anderson.

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2014 Chicago Improv Festival Recap

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on 2014 Chicago Improv Festival Recap

Improv Explosion.

HOME: An Improvised PlayThe 17th Annual Chicago Improv Festival had 204 ensembles, 95 shows, represented nine different countries at 21 different venues throughout Chicago. It was nuts. But it was grand. A big shout out to Chicago Improv Productions, Jonathan Pitts, Kevin Mullaney, Natasha Bhamla, Lisa Akroush and Jennifer McLaughlin for all their hard work and dedication to the success of this event.  Read More

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