Kelsie Huff

Beast Women 2013 Spring Series was opened by the wonderful Kelsie Huff. Kelsie Huff is a standup comic on the brink of stardom. She has hours of tight material. Her narrative voice is clear. She is expert at playing off the audience. If comedians still got discovered in Chicago for anything outside of Saturday Night Live or monologue writers for talk shows, Kelsie Huff would have already been a star. See her in Chicago while you can: to further her career, she will soon enough have to relocate to either New York or Los Angeles. - Chicago Stage Review: Scott Hill

Beast Women 2013 Spring Series was opened by the wonderful Kelsie Huff. Kelsie Huff is a standup comic on the brink of stardom. She has hours of tight material. Her narrative voice is clear. She is expert at playing off the audience. If comedians still got discovered in Chicago for anything outside of Saturday Night Live or monologue writers for talk shows, Kelsie Huff would have already been a star. See her in Chicago while you can: to further her career, she will soon enough have to relocate to either New York or Los Angeles. - Chicago Stage Review: Scott Hill

"Huff will make you love one-person plays again." - Time Out Chicago

"Huff will make you love one-person plays again." - Time Out Chicago

"This is an actress who makes confident choices and creates loud, defined characters that are both unbearable and hilarious." - Chicago Tribune

"This is an actress who makes confident choices and creates loud, defined characters that are both unbearable and hilarious." - Chicago Tribune

"Kelsie Huff is hilarious."

- Chicago Reader

"Kelsie Huff is hilarious."

- Chicago Reader

Chicago comedian Kelsie Huff is no stranger to a rough crowd.

“My first standup I went to a bar near Wrigley Field, which is very sporty and very douchebaggy,” Huff says. “I thought, ‘I’m just gonna tell one of my stories!’ and got a lot of ‘Show us your tits!’ instead.”

But with years of experience under her belt with the improv group Second City, Huff says she’s learned to just go with it.

“Sometimes you gotta know your audience, so I do a lot of my dick jokes at that bar,” she says. “But in a coffee shop or something, it might be a little more low-key. That’s the great thing about comedy — you have to flex different muscles in your environment all the time, and that’s what makes it fun and scary as hell. But mostly fun.”

Huff’s comedy blends a healthy mix of dark cynicism and carefree wit, evidenced by how she got into the business. - Boulder Weekly: Sabastian Murdock

Chicago comedian Kelsie Huff is no stranger to a rough crowd.

“My first standup I went to a bar near Wrigley Field, which is very sporty and very douchebaggy,” Huff says. “I thought, ‘I’m just gonna tell one of my stories!’ and got a lot of ‘Show us your tits!’ instead.”

But with years of experience under her belt with the improv group Second City, Huff says she’s learned to just go with it.

“Sometimes you gotta know your audience, so I do a lot of my dick jokes at that bar,” she says. “But in a coffee shop or something, it might be a little more low-key. That’s the great thing about comedy — you have to flex different muscles in your environment all the time, and that’s what makes it fun and scary as hell. But mostly fun.”

Huff’s comedy blends a healthy mix of dark cynicism and carefree wit, evidenced by how she got into the business. - Boulder Weekly: Sabastian Murdock

Although comedian Kelsie Huff's new production at the Boulder Fringe Festival is titled This Show Might Be Terrible, her past hits suggest it will be anything but. Known for her Boulder Fringe Official Encore Award-winning shows Bruiser and Huffs, Huff is also a successful stand-up comedian who heads the kates, an all-female lineup.

The darkly funny Midwestern comedian will be all over the Fringe fest. She's the host of tonight's opening-night celebration, will perform her show August 18 to 25, is teaching a workshop entitled "You Time! Personal Narratives in Stand-up Comedy" on August 19, and will host the nightly variety show "Big Time," which debuts tomorrow. In advance of her jam-packed Fringe schedule, we talked to the hilarious Huff about her new show, passing along the stand-up bug, and learning to embrace failure.

- Denver Westword: Robin Edwards

Although comedian Kelsie Huff's new production at the Boulder Fringe Festival is titled This Show Might Be Terrible, her past hits suggest it will be anything but. Known for her Boulder Fringe Official Encore Award-winning shows Bruiser and Huffs, Huff is also a successful stand-up comedian who heads the kates, an all-female lineup.

The darkly funny Midwestern comedian will be all over the Fringe fest. She's the host of tonight's opening-night celebration, will perform her show August 18 to 25, is teaching a workshop entitled "You Time! Personal Narratives in Stand-up Comedy" on August 19, and will host the nightly variety show "Big Time," which debuts tomorrow. In advance of her jam-packed Fringe schedule, we talked to the hilarious Huff about her new show, passing along the stand-up bug, and learning to embrace failure.

- Denver Westword: Robin Edwards

Kelsie Huff is a force of comedy and one of the hardest working comedians and producers in Chicago. She created, produces and hosts The Kates, a regular all-female showcase held in a bookstore (heaven) and took over teaching Cameron Esposito’s creation, Feminine Comique, a stand-up comedy course that gives female performers the confidence and skills they need to begin a career in standup comedy. Her one-woman shows are also to die for. - After Ellen - Erika Star

Kelsie Huff is a force of comedy and one of the hardest working comedians and producers in Chicago. She created, produces and hosts The Kates, a regular all-female showcase held in a bookstore (heaven) and took over teaching Cameron Esposito’s creation, Feminine Comique, a stand-up comedy course that gives female performers the confidence and skills they need to begin a career in standup comedy. Her one-woman shows are also to die for. - After Ellen - Erika Star

Kelsie is funny, effin’ (cue gasp) funny. This show differs from her earlier shows in that it does not lurch from poignant to side-splitting, but this supple stand-up show carries on with the Huff tradition in making ample use of self-deprecation, crazy family characters, and elastic facial expressions. As a one-time Chicagoan I loved her observations about life in that great city and audience zingers. If you don’t see this show you will be turned into a ferret. Long live the Pee Train! - Sal - Sal-Boulder Fringe Festival

Kelsie is funny, effin’ (cue gasp) funny. This show differs from her earlier shows in that it does not lurch from poignant to side-splitting, but this supple stand-up show carries on with the Huff tradition in making ample use of self-deprecation, crazy family characters, and elastic facial expressions. As a one-time Chicagoan I loved her observations about life in that great city and audience zingers. If you don’t see this show you will be turned into a ferret. Long live the Pee Train! - Sal - Sal-Boulder Fringe Festival

absolutely, positively, laugh-out-loud funny! Kelsie is a rock star, but better actually because you can relate to her! Keep on rockin it out girl! If you miss this show, well then you should kick yourself, several times!!!- Jessica - Jessica- Boulder Fringe Festival

absolutely, positively, laugh-out-loud funny! Kelsie is a rock star, but better actually because you can relate to her! Keep on rockin it out girl! If you miss this show, well then you should kick yourself, several times!!!- Jessica - Jessica- Boulder Fringe Festival

Kelsie Huff is a mixed bag of extraordinary talent. A truly high level theatrical show on every level. I believe this should win the Best of the overall Fringe shows.- ABBY - Abby - Boulder Fringe Festival

Kelsie Huff is a mixed bag of extraordinary talent. A truly high level theatrical show on every level. I believe this should win the Best of the overall Fringe shows.- ABBY - Abby - Boulder Fringe Festival

Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy is an irresistible glimpse into the backstory of a comedian, a tantalizing look at the moments that warped a child’s perspective enough to give her the ability to find humor in the face of dysfunction. As a writer and a performer, Kelsie Huff is endearing, engrossing, and brilliant.

Plus, she brings snacks.

DO NOT MISS the opportunity to go back to middle school for and evening with Kelsie Huff in her one-person triumph Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy.

4 OUT OF 4 STARS - Chicago Stage Review: Scott Hill

Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy is an irresistible glimpse into the backstory of a comedian, a tantalizing look at the moments that warped a child’s perspective enough to give her the ability to find humor in the face of dysfunction. As a writer and a performer, Kelsie Huff is endearing, engrossing, and brilliant.

Plus, she brings snacks.

DO NOT MISS the opportunity to go back to middle school for and evening with Kelsie Huff in her one-person triumph Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy.

4 OUT OF 4 STARS - Chicago Stage Review: Scott Hill

Kelsie Huff

Kelsie Huff works more than anyone I have ever met. I can't remember specifically how or when we met, but her work ethic and consistency have always impressed me. Her high energy and quick wit make her a pleasure to watch on stage and her intellect and respect for her peers make her a pleasure to work with, off stage.

When did you come to Chicago?

I moved here right after high school to go to Columbia College. Being a small town girl living in the big city, I saw a lot of exposed "El" wieners my first year, you know, until I got my bad ass street face on. I came to Columbia to study radio broadcasting -- I thought it would be exactly like Good Morning Vietnam, you know without the war but all the fun! It was nothing like that, so I focused more on theater and that's when I was introduced to improv and sketch comedy and solo performance. Sometimes I still pretend to be a radio host though, mostly in the shower and mostly on Sundays.

When did you realize you were funny?

This is a bummer answer, but I grew up in kind of a booze-filled home and I took on the role of "tension-easer", if that is a word. Comedy helped me and then it just became a part of my personality... and it got me the role of Merlin in my 6th grade play, BAM! I was always drawn to the comedic acting roles and then found improv and sketch in college. Then I saw the Neo-Futurists, and my world was changed. I saw that you could make the very personal very funny -- it combined writing and solo work. I was sold. - Gapers Block: Nellie Huggins

Kelsie Huff

Kelsie Huff works more than anyone I have ever met. I can't remember specifically how or when we met, but her work ethic and consistency have always impressed me. Her high energy and quick wit make her a pleasure to watch on stage and her intellect and respect for her peers make her a pleasure to work with, off stage.

When did you come to Chicago?

I moved here right after high school to go to Columbia College. Being a small town girl living in the big city, I saw a lot of exposed "El" wieners my first year, you know, until I got my bad ass street face on. I came to Columbia to study radio broadcasting -- I thought it would be exactly like Good Morning Vietnam, you know without the war but all the fun! It was nothing like that, so I focused more on theater and that's when I was introduced to improv and sketch comedy and solo performance. Sometimes I still pretend to be a radio host though, mostly in the shower and mostly on Sundays.

When did you realize you were funny?

This is a bummer answer, but I grew up in kind of a booze-filled home and I took on the role of "tension-easer", if that is a word. Comedy helped me and then it just became a part of my personality... and it got me the role of Merlin in my 6th grade play, BAM! I was always drawn to the comedic acting roles and then found improv and sketch in college. Then I saw the Neo-Futurists, and my world was changed. I saw that you could make the very personal very funny -- it combined writing and solo work. I was sold. - Gapers Block: Nellie Huggins

Kelsie Huff is the woman who does it all. After just returning from the Women in Comedy Festival in Boston, she is already getting her bags packed for Bridgetown Comedy Festival in April. In between jet-setting, Huff can be seen on almost any given night in the Chicago comedy scene, whether she’s running one of her critically acclaimed solo shows at the Chicago Fringe Festival, yukking it up at The Laugh Factory or Zanies, teaching one of her comedy classes, or hosting her one-of-a-kind, all-female comedy showcase “the kates.”

Huff’s incredible energy and sparkly blue eyes alone would be enough to dazzle a crowd, but, man, can this gal tell stories. Huff has the rare ability to be vulnerable, dark, funny and carefree all at the same time, and she brings her unique experiences to life when she is on stage.

I recently got to interview Huff about “the kates,” which she runs every second Friday and every last Saturday of the month in The Book Cellar, a bookstore in Lincoln Square that serves coffee, food and alcohol. After getting cozy on fancy, wooden folding chairs under bright, bookstore lighting, audiences at “the kates” are ready and eager to support female performers, who range from stand-ups and storytellers to comic musicians, clowns, poets and performance artists. “the kates” also frequently hosts specials guests like duo acts or She's Crafty (Chicago’s only all-female Beastie Boys cover band).

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Huff’s show is the way it dissolves all of the competition out of comedy. Female performers support each other, network, and have just as much fun as the audience. Huff says the only change she would make, if she could, would be to add more dates for the show because there are so many women interested in performing, which is a pretty good problem to have. One day, she says, “the kates” could be happening “every day of your life!”

- Rebellious Magazine for Women: Caitlin Bergh

Kelsie Huff is the woman who does it all. After just returning from the Women in Comedy Festival in Boston, she is already getting her bags packed for Bridgetown Comedy Festival in April. In between jet-setting, Huff can be seen on almost any given night in the Chicago comedy scene, whether she’s running one of her critically acclaimed solo shows at the Chicago Fringe Festival, yukking it up at The Laugh Factory or Zanies, teaching one of her comedy classes, or hosting her one-of-a-kind, all-female comedy showcase “the kates.”

Huff’s incredible energy and sparkly blue eyes alone would be enough to dazzle a crowd, but, man, can this gal tell stories. Huff has the rare ability to be vulnerable, dark, funny and carefree all at the same time, and she brings her unique experiences to life when she is on stage.

I recently got to interview Huff about “the kates,” which she runs every second Friday and every last Saturday of the month in The Book Cellar, a bookstore in Lincoln Square that serves coffee, food and alcohol. After getting cozy on fancy, wooden folding chairs under bright, bookstore lighting, audiences at “the kates” are ready and eager to support female performers, who range from stand-ups and storytellers to comic musicians, clowns, poets and performance artists. “the kates” also frequently hosts specials guests like duo acts or She's Crafty (Chicago’s only all-female Beastie Boys cover band).

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Huff’s show is the way it dissolves all of the competition out of comedy. Female performers support each other, network, and have just as much fun as the audience. Huff says the only change she would make, if she could, would be to add more dates for the show because there are so many women interested in performing, which is a pretty good problem to have. One day, she says, “the kates” could be happening “every day of your life!”

- Rebellious Magazine for Women: Caitlin Bergh

Nico Lang

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Changing the face of Chicago comedy
April 22, 2013
By: Nico Lang

(Courtesy of Johnny Knight)
Kelsie Huff, in a promotional photo for 100 Proof Comedy.

When I sat down with Kelsie Huff, we chatted for a half hour before I actually got around to interviewing her. Huff has a way of making people feel comfortable. Before you know it, you’ve told her things you’ve never told anyone, especially someone you just met. After seeing her perform at Queer Comedy at Zanies, produced by local comedian Adam Guerino, I felt like I knew her.

That buoyant accessibility is exactly what makes Huff good at her job. Huff got her start in the Chicago comedy scene doing one-woman shows, baring her soul to a room full of strangers. Like many of her peers, Huff came up through Second City and IO, honing her voice by doing stand up around the city.

Huff said performing onstage can be “like Thunderdome,” especially for women. She said after her early performances, audience members would often come up to her and say things like, “Hey, you were way funnier than that other girl in the show!”

Although she didn’t take it personally, Huff knew it was important to create safe spaces for women to hone their voice and “change the culture of comedy.” When she was starting out in the scene, she and “a roving band” of comics had group writing workshops and attended open mics together. Finding that community helped her feel at home.

“There’s a strength in finding people like you,” she said.

Huff works with upstart female comics at Femme Comique, a class designed by Cameron Esposito to help women find their creative voice.

Femme Comme is a five-week course that caps off with a five-minute set at the Lincoln Lodge, and Huff claims she has yet to see anyone bomb.

“They crush it every time," Huff said. "There’s nothing like seeing someone do something they want to do and not failing.”

Huff started The Kates in 2005, an all-female comedy group in Lincoln Square. Fellow Chicago comedian Ever Mainard says The Kates was a landmark moment for female comedy and a “big factor in getting all the women who are working going.

“Kelsie Huff dissolves all the competition out of comedy," Mainard said. "She understands that many of us are just here to express ourselves, and she will book any woman who wants to perform. That’s the key to building a supportive network.”
- WBEZ: Nico Lang

Nico Lang

Comments
Send
Print
Share
Recommend
Tweet

Changing the face of Chicago comedy
April 22, 2013
By: Nico Lang

(Courtesy of Johnny Knight)
Kelsie Huff, in a promotional photo for 100 Proof Comedy.

When I sat down with Kelsie Huff, we chatted for a half hour before I actually got around to interviewing her. Huff has a way of making people feel comfortable. Before you know it, you’ve told her things you’ve never told anyone, especially someone you just met. After seeing her perform at Queer Comedy at Zanies, produced by local comedian Adam Guerino, I felt like I knew her.

That buoyant accessibility is exactly what makes Huff good at her job. Huff got her start in the Chicago comedy scene doing one-woman shows, baring her soul to a room full of strangers. Like many of her peers, Huff came up through Second City and IO, honing her voice by doing stand up around the city.

Huff said performing onstage can be “like Thunderdome,” especially for women. She said after her early performances, audience members would often come up to her and say things like, “Hey, you were way funnier than that other girl in the show!”

Although she didn’t take it personally, Huff knew it was important to create safe spaces for women to hone their voice and “change the culture of comedy.” When she was starting out in the scene, she and “a roving band” of comics had group writing workshops and attended open mics together. Finding that community helped her feel at home.

“There’s a strength in finding people like you,” she said.

Huff works with upstart female comics at Femme Comique, a class designed by Cameron Esposito to help women find their creative voice.

Femme Comme is a five-week course that caps off with a five-minute set at the Lincoln Lodge, and Huff claims she has yet to see anyone bomb.

“They crush it every time," Huff said. "There’s nothing like seeing someone do something they want to do and not failing.”

Huff started The Kates in 2005, an all-female comedy group in Lincoln Square. Fellow Chicago comedian Ever Mainard says The Kates was a landmark moment for female comedy and a “big factor in getting all the women who are working going.

“Kelsie Huff dissolves all the competition out of comedy," Mainard said. "She understands that many of us are just here to express ourselves, and she will book any woman who wants to perform. That’s the key to building a supportive network.”
- WBEZ: Nico Lang

4) Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy was a tour de force solo performance by comedian Kelsie Huff, presented by Square Product Theatre at Gorilla Tango Theatre. Kelsie Huff’s introspective tales of childhood dysfunction kept the audience desperate to find a moment to breathe among the laughs. Brilliantly written and endearingly executed, Bruiser was my pick for the best solo performance of 2011. - Chicago Stage Review

4) Bruiser: Tales from a Traumatized Tomboy was a tour de force solo performance by comedian Kelsie Huff, presented by Square Product Theatre at Gorilla Tango Theatre. Kelsie Huff’s introspective tales of childhood dysfunction kept the audience desperate to find a moment to breathe among the laughs. Brilliantly written and endearingly executed, Bruiser was my pick for the best solo performance of 2011. - Chicago Stage Review