Jaclyn

I have been a lover of all things funny since the tender age of four, when my parents started letting me stay up to watch SNL for some reason. After graduating college in 2007 and working in corporate marketing for awhile, I felt hungry for a new challenge. My lifelong dream of creating comedy had been hovering in the back of my mind for such a long time, and I wanted to bring it to life. I never wanted to be the person who didn’t try to realize their dream out of fear or pressures of convention. The Second City has always been the gold standard where comedy training is concerned, and my love of comedy coupled with a passion for writing made their sketch comedy writing program a perfect fit. My classmates and I co-wrote a show called “Pop Vulture” as the culmination of our training. In addition to writing, I was also the show’s producer while Cora assistant directed. We ended up selling out every performance and had an incredible time doing it.

After graduating, Cora and I didn’t want to lose momentum. She invited me to co-write and produce another show at Gorilla Tango Theatre–and the show would become “Solo In Sanity.” We also decided to launch our own production company, Girls in Glasses Productions. under which we will continue to write and produce. Cora and I are already planning our next show, an all-girl sketch comedy revue, in whic we hope to give talented comediennes a strong voice and more diverse character opportunities.

Cora

I communicate best through writing (which scares me when I’ve read some of the things I’ve written). I also love to make people laugh. My parents grew up in Chicago theatre, so I’ve always been particularly proud of all thing theatrical in Chicago. Second City has always wowed me. I thought I was crazy for entering their writing program. I thought they were going to chew me up and spit me out. Instead I connected with sketch comedy.

I then thought I was crazy for applying as assistant director for Pop Vulture. Then I thought I’ve already applied to direct my own show at Gorilla Tango, maybe I should get some training. I loved being that much more involved with the show.

Jaclyn is truly amazing. I envied the way she was able to be one of the guys, be right there with all their jokes, throwing out her lines. When she agreed to co-write Solo, I knew we’d have strong material and lots of laughs.

The idea for our next show actually came closing night of “Pop Vulture.” Jaclyn and I were talking with the comediennes we’d just worked with and they said, “We are always the bitch, the slut, the mom, the voice of no. I get a couple of lines while the boys get to play.” As they waved good bye, I turned to Jaclyn and said, “Do you know what a power house show we would have if we had the three women from this show, the two we just cast in Solo, and one other?” She said, “Oh my gosh! An all woman sketch comedy revue!” And that was that. We had our next project.

We learned a lot from Second City, putting on “Pop Vulture,” and putting on “Solo In Sanity.” It’s work but it doesn’t feel like work. Driving home, I’d go over notes in my head, what I needed to tell one of the actors, how I could improve myself as a director. And I realized I couldn’t wait to do it all over again.

I loved being backstage and hearing the laughter out front. I loved seeing the actors in their zones, doing what they do best. On opening night, one flew by me coming offstage.
“This is fun!” they said before getting ready for their next sketch. It is. I’m honored to allow other people to have fun, to relax after a long, hard week, to smile, and just feel good with like minded people.

As Herman’s Hermits said, “Something tells me I’m into something good.” That something is my heart.

So we’re going to do it again! We’re trying to move Solo In Sanity to Second City, we’ve applied for Chicago Sketchfest, and we’re already working on our second show, an all woman revue.

We are also proud to announce the birth of our company, Girls In Glasses Productions. We decided since we’re planning on a couple future projects together, we might want to incorporate ourselves or atleast choose a name to throw around instead of saying “Jaclyn and Cora’s show.” Jaclyn came up with the brilliant name because we are the girls in glasses. Our first rehearsal one of the cast asked if we were sisters. While flattered, we had to say no. Both have brown hair with a tendency to be wavy, both wickedly funny, and both rock Tina Fey-esque glasses.
Jaclyn also had some great ideas for the logo: the two ‘g’s’ in Girls In Glasses (or possibly the final ‘s’) can become horned rimmed glasses. It’s a work in progress…
But you’ll be the first to know how awesome it looks.

Thank you for being a part of something great and stay tuned for more.

We needed 45 minutes worth of music before our show so the theatre doesn’t sound like a tomb as people come in, get settled.
We decided to contact and feature local bands. We use one of their songs, put their name and song title in the program in return for help promoting the show.
Some of these bands I’ve seen several times. I appreciate what they do, all their effort and their art, I would like to share with them what I do.
While I was waiting for one of the bands I came up with this list of “remember when’s” to use when they’re not sure if they can come.

–Remember that one show I went to in the dead of winter? The plows had to pull over because it was snowing so badly. Remember that one?

–Remember that show that was during finals week but you needed at least 50 people to show up in order to play? Remember that show? How I stopped studying the night before the exam to come see you? Good show.

–Remember that show where there were only 7 people in the audience and I was the only girl?

–Remember that show where there were only 7 people in the audience and I was the only one not related to you?

–Remember when you played that show New Years Eve? First time I saw you guys. Started my year off right. Your songs were in my head for weeks.

–Remember how you ended up playing last and those drunk guys wouldn’t leave my friend and me alone, but we stayed?

–Remember when I was the only one dancing?

–Remember when that girl said you suck and I gave her such a mean look she took it back? Good times.

–Remember how I looked up how to restring a guitar so I could help?

–Remember when you were so drunk you couldn’t stand up and had to play the show from your knees? Probably not because you were so drunk you couldn’t stand but still insisted on going onstage. We don’t talk much anymore.

–Remember when you said I was hotter than your girlfriend? She does.

1) You died. (But only en route to the show and I still expect you to be there in spirit. You can float above the crowd and howl with laughter.)

2)You Live in Another State and 1) have no other reason to come to Chicago for any of those weekends 2) don’t feel like road tripping or buying a plane ticket.
1) I’m here! And haven’t seen you in forever. Still not enough to come for a full weekend, I know… It’s expensive…oh wait! You live in California. We’d be a break for you. And our traffic is going to feel like a cakewalk.
2) Every event you invite me to that is being held out of Illinois, I consider for a couple of milliseconds dropping everything and flying out to California. So my credit card will tremble every time I pull it out of my wallet. Flying has never been cheaper and you’ll put me up (right?) You only live once (until you see your credit card bill and declare what you just did the stupidest thing you have ever done).

3)You Are Pursuing a Professional Athletic Career and Leaving Training Camp Now Would Get You Dropped. I’m proud of you. You’ve worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a lot. Do not throw away your chance to go pro over my sketch revue. It gives me an opportunity to move the show! We could do a performance for the team! (Oh, I expect at least tickets if not a box with the really good buffalo wings when you play Chicago. Thanks!)

Skewers on Milwaukee and Damen–
A hop, skip and a jump from Gorilla Tango. Very good food.
You choose the meat, vegetable, or tofu and the spices and sauces, and rice, they cook it and serve it to you on skewers.

If you want to eat before or after the show, Damen, Milwaukee, and North Ave create a clever asterik of roads with several very nice places to eat, including a very nice vegan venue.

Immediately Around GTT:

Before the show, we recommend Ipsento’s. It’s a quaint coffeehouse on Western. When you first arrive and see people already inside, you fear there will be no where to sit. There are plenty of places inside and outside to sit. Very good mochas.

Before or After:

Belly Shack (Western-ish, under the train stop)

Lucky Number Bar and Grill (comedy evenings, but you just got done laughing. Don’t over do it. A couple doors down from GTT)

Green Eye Lounge (diag. from GTT. No food but a tamale guy that apparently is legendary)

Margie’s Candies and Ice Cream (Western)

Irazus Costa Rican Restaurant (people are always there and always look happy. Always smells good. Corner of Oakley and Milwaukee)

Arturo’s Tacos

Cafe Maton

Then if you get really lazy, there’s always McDonald’s.

I was just in Chicago! Really? So was I. Now that you know where you’re going, come on back for a show.
I’ve gone back and forth from a Chicago a couple days in a row. It’s fun. You learn timing of traffic…

Inspired by some excuses we heard for not seeing our last show, we are not accepting any of the following excuses.

I’m Afraid of Chicago. I’m not asking you to wander the streets aimlessly at 2 am. I’m asking you to come to Gorilla Tango Theatre a little before 8 pm, sit in a theatre, and enjoy yourself. Go to dinner, get coffee. Besides the theatre you will either be in your car or on a train. I’ll make you a souvenir that says I survived Chicago.

It’s Too Far. No.  You can’t play this card, I’m sorry. I live in DeKalb and commute in a couple times a week. It’s an hour and a half drive on a bad day. My co-writer, Jaclyn, lives in Hinsdale and also commutes. Those of you who live in DeKalb, Elburn, Sugar Grove, Aurora, Oak Park (cough, cough) can make it.

I Need To Touch Up My Hair. Really? Friday at 8 you MUST touch up your hair or the world will end? It’s lasted this long and if you wear anything with confidence you can carry it off….Fine! Wear a hat! No one will be checking out your hair. You’re hotter than just your hair. Other people will be so into the show they’ll be like, “Who that hottie?”

I Can’t Find Anyone To Go With. You can do things all by yourself. I have faith in you. Some routes to go:
1) Be big kid and make friends. Fall in love over the awesome music or your new found love of sketch comedy.
2)I’ll be there. I can introduce you to that person you think is hot or even sit with you. Then you know one of the writers and director and look super cool.
3) Time it so you show up just as the lights go down, watch the show, and leave. Like you were never there. Except you were. You have the ticket to prove it.

I Can’t Find a Sitter. Bring the kiddo. I’ll play with them in the lobby or backstage. Go enjoy yourself.

I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Friday (or I TiVo’d A Lot of Things and Need to Catch Up). Really? Seriously? We’re still talking?

I Didn’t Know You Had a Show. Un-friend.

My husband doesn’t want to go. Your husband is a douche. I told you that when you were dating.

My wife doesn’t want to go. Never liked her. She has no taste. Dump her and hook her up with the husband from the previous statement.

I Forgot or I totally meant to go. Try telling me that once the show closes and you and I awkwardly run into each other in that place where we both go all the time.

I have a thing. Not going to cut it. Do you have a thing at the same time every week for four weeks in a row? Unless this is your work schedule *, you’ve just birthed a child **that needs you attention/milk, or it’s against your religion, don’t use this one. Just because your brother’s birthday is opening night *** does not mean we wouldn’t love to see your smiling face in the first row week 2.

*If you tell your boss now, you’re giving two weeks notice for a schedule change. You’re being considerate and they should change your schedule to allow their good employee go to the show.

**Bring the little person along! We’ll make sure everyone washes their hands, wears masks if necessary. Breast feeding will be totally acceptable. I will need to charge you $6 for a baby ticket (compensation for sudden wailing at inopportune moments).

***What says “happy birthday” better than sketch comedy? What better gift is a good, funny show written by two smart, hot women? C’mon…

He is the first Dr. Who of the revival series. He heard one of the writers was a huge fan of Dr. Who, but not of him. She grew up on the original and liked David Tennant, but was not a fan of him. He offered to pose for their promo in exchange for her liking his rendition of the time lord. (It is not Chris Eccleston at all.)
Or
He really wants to be Dr. Who because he heard that is how to get girls. So he studied and got surgery to look like the first Doctor of the new series. It still resembles his original face so people do a double take, which he loves. It started to work a little too much. He can’t escape the fans especially the female Who-ites who want to bag the Doctor.

He’s just some guy we found. We needed a promo. He needed a photo of himself holding a little “help” sign.

Getting trippy on you: This sketch revue takes place in his head. The stage is his brain, the players his thoughts and ideas, a bit of mustard as Scrooge would say.

He’s drowning. The dark stuff? Actually water. He’s mute, so instead of paddling and saving his life, he waves a little sign that says “help.” We took this photo.

There was a Beatles sing-a-long in the park. Instead of following a bouncing ball, people hold up signs with the lyrics so everyone can sing along. He wasn’t chosen. He’s trying to climb over the park wall. “Help” was his favorite song and movie. Huge Ringo fan, explaining the shades.

He’s a peeping tom. He pulled himself up this wall to get his fix and he just realized that growling sound he’ s hearing are the guard dogs.

Wiley Coyote is his idol. When that cartoon character falls off a cliff, looks forlornly at the camera and holds up a little “help” sign, he’s moved to tears.

He is stalking the writers of this show. They are that awesome that he needs to control them. We used him in the promo so people could identify him. If you see him at the show, please contact security. Thanks!

I love satire. If you are against something, you come from the point of view of the supporter. When it is done well, it is beautiful and inspiring. You’re in on the joke. It also seems dangerous. You run the risk of listeners not understanding it is criticism, like when Republicans think Stephen Colbert is bang on.

When we had to write songs for class, I discovered I like song writing. It’s fun making syllables fit, get your point across and, by the way, make it rhyme. I was going to write satire, successful or flop. This song fell out.

The Nazi song was inspired by true events. I don’t remember what year it was. My age was single digits. It was the first time I saw my mom pace and yell at the television (the next time was at a political debate when the Republican wouldn’t relinquish the microphone).

Many organizations need to have a yearly get together for their constituents to gossip, network for job opportunities, and find out what’s in store for the future. The Nazi party is no different.  Instead of meeting at a conference center, they decided to meet in a predominantly Jewish community. People had some problems with this. The ACLU did not, saying Nazis have the right to assemble and freedom of speech like anyone else. Never mind it was shown the Nazis had traveled several hours out of their way to congregate there.

Even then I thought it was weird the Nazis were the ones getting protection. Those are not two groups of people you lock in a room together, much less hold the victims down and let the bullies parade.

Tom Lehrer has job security, but I’m heading in his direction. My songs are simple, but I love them. The Nazi song comes from the point of view of the ACLU representative at a press conference. She says if we’re only nice to the Nazis, they’ll be nice to us. The bridge begs to differ. They aren’t a group of people who never got hugs.

Matt Griffo wrote the music and the song went to a different level. So beautiful I considered making it my ringtone, and then I pictured my phone going off while I was at Borders, everyone hearing, “We have to be nice to the Nazis.” The cast sounds amazing singing it.

They enjoy it and I hope you will too…even though our second show is on Yom Kippur.

~Cora 

So do me a favor, and if, nay, when you make it out to the show—laugh loudly!

Training at The Second City was an experience I will never forget. When I walk through Piper’s Alley, I feel the presence of ghosts of the comedy legends past and present and remember their famous taglines and sketches. Some days I would feel so much like an outsider—an audience member—looking in on some impossible dream. And other days (and more often these days), I’d feel like I was beginning to belong—to earn my right to call myself a writer and comedian.

Working on Pop Vulture with Cora and our classmates was, among many wonderful things, so much fun. When I’m writing, producing, and collaborating in the name of comedy, it rarely feels like work. I learned so much working with Cora, and I was so excited when I heard she had an opportunity to showcase her writing and directing talents at Gorilla Tango. And of course, I was honored and beyond excited when she asked me to be her co-pilot!

I think for both of us (and for you, the viewer!), Solo In Sanity will be a very relatable show. I observe so much INsanity in my day-to-day life—things that shock me, things that don’t, inequities, insincerity, and general douchebaggery—and it all really deserves what we’re dishing.

So pull up a non-descript black chair, and listen to the story of how we’re going to create a fun/spectacular/irreverent/crazy/awesome show for you. Yes, YOU!

-Jaclyn