Logline
In this ten-episode web series, four "green" female-presenting standup comics navigate through the misogynistic world that is Chicago’s open mic scene. They must break through the boy’s club atmosphere, distinguishing the hacks from the facts, for the ultimate goal: getting booked.
Creator Statements
I met Erica in one of my first weeks living in Chicago, at that time my opinion of her was she was a killer improviser who made me feel extremely out of my league. Then we worked in a workshop together and I saw her writing and thought; strengths and weaknesses. All jokes aside together we have been working both independently and collectively to better ourselves as writers and enhance our scripts by using our comedic instincts developed on the stage. Then we found stand-up. Well really Erica had the balls to do stand-up and I tagged along. This was a challenge. Not only were we faced with the struggle of putting together a sound joke we also were faced with a community we didn’t fit into.
They say open mics are where comics try out new material, and young white men go to be offensive. That brings us to the subject under scrutiny in the web series: The Beer Belly Open Mic. Beer Belly open mic was the first place I went up to do Stand Up. While it seems like we really rail into this mic, we do it out of love. Beer Belly gave us the opportunity to try something new and gave us the realization to start looking for our own place in comedy because Beer Belly isn’t ours and that’s okay. Lady Comics is how we found a place for our comedy. Before we even got into production, we found a community, it’s open doors, and let us exchange horror stories with other female comedians. It’s our invitation to all female comedians to get on stage and start their own show (it’s really hard and takes a lot of money).
That’s why we are asking for money, not because you owe it to us. The show certainly doesn’t save lives, but we are having too much fun to stop this project here. SO please if you could give us anything to make this show happen it would be extremely appreciated.
- Kelsey Healey
I met Kelsey the same week and I thought why the hell is this girl wearing clogs? Despite our difference in fashion, Kelsey and I found a collective voice, a passion for the work, and a friendship that led to the creation of Lady Comics. When developing the concept for this show, Kelsey and I both individually thought of the idea to write a sitcom about female stand-ups. Instead of us both writing separate projects in competition, I jumped at the opportunity to co-write with Kelsey. Partly because I knew Kelsey was a much stronger writer than I was and also because we both strongly believe in uplifting other female artists, collaboration and that the funniest idea always wins.
Through our writing process, we realized that this idea was bigger than both of us and was relatable to not only our own experiences but to all females in the comedy biz. Thus the concept for our web series was born. My hope is that this series makes you laugh while also making you question what we have been conditioned to laugh at in the past. Lady Comics is taking back the punchline and giving voice to the women whose stage time has been cut, for anyone who fakes a laugh at the expense of a man’s feelings, and for those who are searching for their own voice. Real laughter is intersectional. It pulses from our hearts, steams from our egos, wells in our eyes, and is an untamable power that has given me and so many others a way to find meaning in life.
This series is a reflection of who I am as a comic and a love letter to all the females in my life who have given me unconditional support, showed up, and laughed at my shitty jokes. I would not be where I was today if it wasn’t for the support of the people around me. Thank you for letting me be authentically myself, buying tickets to my many shows, and supporting this production. Any contribution you can make will be used to tell our story and hopefully make you laugh!
- Erica Seff
The Team
Erica Seff
Erica is a Chicago-based stand-up, improviser, writer, and friend. She currently studies with Kelsey at Depaul’s MFA screenwriting program. You can find her writing at the Ale House, improvising at theaters around Chicago, and on the river giving tours. Since she was a young warthog, Erica has found any and all excuses to jump in front of an audience and make her peers laugh. As a comic, she has been described as viciously funny, superbly stupid and as a person, people want to work with. She is a fierce collaborator that focuses on facilitating space that uplifts other artists, promotes inclusion, and celebrates diversity in voice.
Kelsey Healey
Kelsey is a Chicago-based writer who has written just about anything and everything; outside of a manifesto. She currently studies screenwriting in Depaul’s MFA program. She has had experience on stage in sketch comedy, improv, and stand-up. She grew up watching stand up which is what ultimately lead to her passion for comedy and screenwriting. In her work, she likes to poke fun at the fame-obsessed, unhealthy nature of entertainment, and challenge the notion women aren’t funny.
Adithya Rajan
Adithya (Adi) is a Chicago-based writer/director, currently pursuing an MFA in Directing at DePaul. He met Erica and Kelsey in his very first class at film school and was very excited when they approached him to produce this project. An engineer by trade, Adi has an immense passion for filmmaking which inspired him to pursue higher education in film directing. He enjoys making both Comedies and Thrillers and has a passion for highlighting his South Asian heritage in his work.
Meet the Characters
Charlie
She’s not available at the moment because her Juul is dead and she has 25 charging cords but can’t find a cube to plug into an outlet.
Steph
Steph is that girl in high school who challenges your calc professor because he briefly mentions something republican.
Faye
Do you remember your 8th-grade art teacher? Imagine her trying to be a Stand Up Comic.
Sarika
Bringing optimism and wholesomeness to an Open Mic, Sarika makes a name for herself for being chronically pleasant.