There aren’t college courses on how to put together a stand-up show. Even at famed Chicago institutions such the Second City and iO or within Columbia College’s comedy studies program, the lessons are much more about what’s happening onstage rather than what’s happening behind the scenes. So how does anyone learn the ropes when it seems like the most common training available to an aspiring comedy producer is taking tickets at a box office?
Chavoshi also gives those who have no experience performing a chance to get stage time. In addition to producing, the Comedy Bar interns will perform in the Fancy Show, which is headlined by Toler Wolfe and comedy duo Steve and Ben. One of the trainees making her onstage debut will be Maria Granados, 24, a Kendall College hospitality student by day. “I’ve learned a lot about stage presence,” she says of Chavoshi’s tutelage, “and not just getting up there and talking, but saying something.”
