Lady Tales: A 4 week workshop and performance by women

September 7- September 28 2012

Tales from Week One

Something about being in a room filled with women sharing the same goal is both intimidating and inspiring. I look forward to seeing what comes out of it. Deanna is amazing and  really it would be  quite easy to just make this post look like a yearbook, with hundreds of scribblings of “K.I.T.” and “You’re the best! Don’t ever Change.” However,  the class has just begun and I must pace myself. On the train ride home I told myself that I am a terrible writer and that is okay, because I’m learning. Then, I had this thought, what if I don’t put any judgements on it and just claim myself as a writer. Deanna encouraged us to claim our own titles and what ever we don’t measure up to, we will grow into it. So this is me growing into it. Next step: write a 100 word autobiography. Do ellipses count?

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The first meeting of this class has helped me generate so many new ideas for stories, and develop a deeper confidence in just putting pen to paper. We all agree that sitting in a chic city work space, hanging with Deanna, and being creative is much more fun on a Friday night than the bar scene. Her energy and positive outlook on creativity help make an environment that has already made so many of us comfortable. I was also in awe of the spontaneous wit and candid sensitivity of everyone in the room. I love a well-crafted tale, and we’ll get there, but I adored hearing the impromptu pieces of so many thoughtful women. This is going to be a fun month and I can’t wait to get to know everyone better! One hundred word autobiographies this Friday. It won’t take long to learn a lot about this group of awesome women.

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The space is not what I expected for a downtown conference room. It is light, airy and pretty bad ass. And bad ass is what it should be for this incredible group of women. There are times when you start a new workshop and you feel that you will only get as much as you put in. It’s just a deadline for your work. But this is different. This is a place where the energy of the room brings your most sacred words and stories out of hiding and gives them wings. So, yes, I will have to do some homework. And I will get out at least what I put in. But unlike any other workshop, I feel confident that my story will emerge with a dusting of magic fairy dust and the perfect glaze of bad assery.

Cate Freedman

WORKSHOP: IMPROV TO VIDEO MARKETING

Friday, August 17 from 7-9 at

Second City  1616 North Wells Street  Chicago, IL 60614 in Rm 403

Cate Freedman is probably best known for her work with the award winning, all female comedy group, the Katydids, which currently performs at iO. Some of Freedman’s favorite theatrical credits include the long running two woman show “Omelet” seen at the Del Close Marathon at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York for five consecutive years alongside Frances McKearn, “Dinner for Six” at iO Chicago and The Second City National Touring Company (where she is currently the youngest performer). She has also acted in a number of films and shorts that have been screened at festivals all over the world, including the Vimeo award winning improvised series, “Break-ups”, for which Freedman received a Best Actress nomination at the 2011 Midwest Independent Film Festival.

In this month’s workshop participants will learn the secrets to take their Improv from the stage to the web, and target a broader audience.The first half of the workshop will bring attendees up to improvise and create scene material. During the second half, Cate will help you take that improvisation and solidify it into a workable scene for the camera. Learn the best ways to get your video seen and the best places to use it.

Suggested Donation $10.00 cash, check or credit card accepted at the door.

Participants must RSVP to ladiesincomedy@me.com, subject line, “BTM Cate Freedman”.

We’re thrilled to announce that our fun, gal-centric, preposterously un-awkward open mic is BACK after a summer hiatus!

Starting August 1 and continuing on the first Wednesday of every month, we now have a happy new home at Wishbone on Lincoln. Come to stand up, come to watch, come to eat and drink. $4 draft beer specials and delicious food will stand second only to the hilarious antics of Chicago’s funny ladies (and gentleman are welcome too, on stage and off).

Note the new time!!

In summation, you’re invited:

CLiC Open Mic @ Wishbone
August 1 (and the first Wednesday of every month)
7:00-9:00PM (sign-up starts at 6:45)
3300 N. Lincoln Ave. (map)

Hosted by the hilarious and lovely Marlena Rodriguez. Sets should be 3-5 minutes long.

Questions? Shoot us an email: ladiesincomedy@me.com

At 8PM on June 2, CLiC and The Gogo Show (Lincoln Loft, 3036 N. Lincoln, #2) are hosting a free screening of the very cool documentary Miss Representation. Take a look at the film’s website to learn more about this bold movie, which forces us to examine the way women are depicted in all kinds of media. Then come by and see the film! Admission is free, and an open-forum discussion will follow the screening. Any donations will help support CLiC and The Gogo Show, two lady-advancing organizations here in Chicago.