More Info On The New Kates Cast Here

Teamed up with some of Chicago’s fellow female producers, performers and over all comic rock stars to create the first ever kates cast. The goal? To build a stronger, funnier more inclusive comedy community, together. More info on the new kates cast HERE.
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Kelsie Huff – Creator of the kates
Kelsie Huff is a Columbia College Chicago graduate turned stand-up and storyteller. She’s the creator and host of the kates, a nine year comedy showcase, hosted by The Book Cellar and Laugh Factory Chicago. She teaches the only all female stand-up class in Chicago called, Feminine Comique. Kelsie performs at clubs all around the Midwest, as well as comedy and fringe festivals around the country. She is a regular guest of, host chat, on ABC’s Windy City LIVE, as well as a guest on WGN radio. Huff has written four solo shows, is a short film producer, screenwriter and voice over actor. Huff is also a fan of frosting and Cheese Whiz.
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Adrienne Gunn
Adrienne Gunn is a writer, editor, and humorist based in Chicago. She received an MFA in creative writing from the University of Oregon and her work has appeared in various literary magazines including McSweeney’s and PANK. Adrienne served as managing editor and fiction editor of TriQuarterly, the literary magazine of Northwestern University. Adrienne regularly performs stand-up and storytelling throughout Chicago and in April 2016 her first one-woman show Mother of the Year! debuted to sold-out audiences.
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Alexandra Tsarpalas
Alexandra Tsarpalas is a comic, storyteller, sketch performer and producer. Alexandra has appeared at Chicago Women’s Funny Fest yearly and is an alumna of 100 Proof Comedy cast. She is a co-producer of “Mom Genes,” a sketch/stand-up showcase with all the wigs and high-waisted jeans you could ever hope for. A native of Chicago, she has been performing regularly in the city since 2010. Does she have a bit with porcelain hands, you ask? You bet she does.
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Amy Sumpter
Amy Sumpter is a comedic actress who has focused on stand-up for a long time. She has performed with the kates and other showcases around Chicago. She has even done stand up out of STATE! She was one of the top 100 comics on Last Comic Standing, Season 9. She is also in an all female Beastie Boys tribute band called, She’s Crafty.
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Brittany Meyer
Brittany Meyer is a Chicago based comic, story teller, cat owner, arm wrestler, and queer. She has green eyes and has often been described as ‘that song Killer Queen.’ Brittany is both the creator and producer of ‘Strip Joker;’ a body positive, comedy showcase partnered with the ‘You are Beautiful’ campaign, located at Uptown Underground.
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Denise Medina
Denise Medina is a stand-up comedian born and raised in Chicago now living “La Vida Loca” in the burbs! She graduated cum laude with a BA in Speech and Performing Arts from NEIU, was an intern on the Wild Chicago TV show, graduated from Players Workshop and Feminine Comique. She wants to have a staring contest with Samuel L. Jackson and to be hot and thin, like jerky!
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Elizabeth Gomez
Elizabeth Gomez is a comedian, storyteller, writer, and casserole Queen. She is a founder of the Windy City Rollers roller derby league; founding writer at Drinkers with Writing Problems; and has performed at Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, Laugh Factory, Zanies, and other spots around town. Elizabeth is also the Associate Producer for Story Club Southside. Her biggest dream is to successfully live her life without another paper cut.
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Mona Aburmishan
Mona, is a stand-up comic, comedic speaker and emcee based in Chicago. She has performed, emceed, and produced comedy shows, competitions and events in major clubs, theaters and universities around the world. Mona has a Master’s in International Development and is fluent in English, German and Arabic. Mona’s experiences living in war and in peace allows her a powerful insight into the amazing impact of comedy as a vessel for peace. She was featured at Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Similarly, Mona was featured in the first ever US Consulate sponsored Comedy Festival in the West Bank.
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Soli Santos
Soli Santos, writer, actor, comedian, and native Chicagoan began her comedy career as a student and graduate of The Second City, i.O., and Act One Studios. She has showcased at various comedy clubs including, Zanies, and The Laugh Factory. Soli has been cast on a number of video sketches with The Onion and has worked on different projects including writing and performing at Second City’s Mary Scruggs Women’s Sketch Fest.