For Chicago’s improv and stand-up comics, stage time is more important than screen time

Key Takeaways:

• Stage Experience Over Online Fame: Chicago comedians prioritize live performances to hone their craft and achieve genuine success.
• Rich Legacy of Comedy in Chicago: The city continues to produce influential comedians through its robust comedy scene.
• iO Theater’s Revival: The iconic theater reopens with a focus on diversity and inclusion, reflecting the evolving landscape of comedy.
• Limitations of Online Popularity: Industry professionals note that social media fame doesn’t always translate to live performance skills.
• Abundant Opportunities for Performers: Numerous venues and showcases in Chicago provide platforms for comedians to grow.

Open TikTok, and within seconds, a comedy clip appears—proof of the platform’s saturation with stand-up snippets and improvisational bits. Yet, for Chicago’s stand-up and improv comedians, the road to true comedic success isn’t paved with viral videos but with footsteps to the stage.

The Emphasis on Stage Time

“People want time. They want the opportunity. There’s more hunger,” says comedian Josh Cahn , who frequents clubs like the Laugh Factory, Comedy Plex, and the Lincoln Lodge. For Cahn, success comes from “time in front of an audience.” He asserts, “I think what makes you the best stand-up is not sitting down with your notebook. It’s getting reps.”

This emphasis on continuous live performance is a common thread among Chicago comedians who believe that honing their craft requires the immediacy and feedback of a real audience.

Chicago’s Comedy Heritage

For decades, Chicago has been a fertile ground for comedic talent. The city has nurtured performers who have gone on to reshape American comedy—actors and writers like Kumail Nanjiani , Tina Fey , and Amber Ruffin all called Chicago their comedic home at one point.

With theaters dotting nearly every neighborhood—from stalwarts like Zanies in Old Town to newer spots like The Revival in the South Loop—comedians have ample opportunities to get on stage. This abundance of venues reinforces the city’s reputation as a haven for those looking to sharpen their comedic skills.

Navigating Open Mics and Showcases

Before commanding a paying audience’s attention, many comedians refine their material at open mics scattered throughout the city. While valuable, Cahn cautions that these environments, often filled with fellow comedians, might not provide the most accurate gauge of a joke’s reception.

For a more authentic audience experience, Cahn points to shows like “Vouch,” run by Jerry Hamedi of the Comedy Gazelle. Here, comics perform brief sets in hopes of earning a spot at a monthly showcase at Lakeview’s Laugh Factory. Such opportunities bridge the gap between open mics and larger stages.

Intimacy of Smaller Venues

Some of Cahn’s most cherished performances have been in smaller venues where “the audience is right in your face.” In these intimate settings, the spontaneity and audience interaction are unparalleled. “People love a unique moment that’s just for them,” he notes, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of live, shared experiences that can’t be replicated online.

The iO Theater’s Comeback

Across town, the iO Theater stands as a beacon of improvisational comedy, offering five nights of laughs each week. In June 2020, after more than 30 years, the theater faced closure due to the pandemic’s financial strain. However, real estate executives Scott Gendell and Larry Weiner purchased the building and brand, ensuring the institution’s survival.

In 2022, new co-artistic directors Adonis Holmes and Katie Caussin breathed fresh life into the venue. “We came at it from different ends of the spectrum,” Caussin says of their partnership, highlighting a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Initiatives like the establishment of a diversity, equity, and inclusion board aim to address past criticisms and broaden the theater’s appeal.

Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

The revamped iO Theater now features shows that celebrate a range of voices, such as the Latine variety show “Escándalo!” and the drag-centric “Improvised Housewives.” Performer Daryn Robinson , a member of “Improvised Jane Austen,” relishes bringing classic genres to life with a modern twist every Saturday night. “We come out in the costumes and people—they lose their minds,” she shares.

The Reality of Online Fame

While an online presence is not disregarded, many in the industry recognize its limitations. Robinson, who has performed at Second City and in the Lincoln Lodge’s variety show “My Best Friend is Black,” stresses the importance of versatility that comes from stage work. “If you have an online following, a lot of times it’s because you’ve built a very ‘specific to you’ persona,” she explains. “But if you want to be a working actor, you need to be able to jump into a lot of different roles and different personas.”

Caussin recalls asking representatives from Saturday Night Live if they consider TikTok personalities during auditions at iO. Their response was telling: “It doesn’t translate.”

Success Stories Rooted in Live Performance

Comedians like Vinny Thomas and Megan Stalter exemplify the synergy of stage and screen. Thomas’s viral sketches, such as “Pigeon at the Pride Parade,” boosted his profile, leading to roles on television’s “Platonic” and “Ahsoka.” Stalter parlayed her online success into a role on “Hacks.” However, both artists honed their skills on Chicago stages before their digital content gained traction.

“Those are the people that do break through,” Caussin says. “They do the work.”

Conclusion

For Chicago comedians, the consensus is clear: success isn’t measured in likes or shares but in laughs from a live audience. As Cahn, Robinson, and others continue to grace the city’s numerous stages, they prove that in the world of comedy, nothing beats the authenticity of performing live.