146,000 years ago, a fresh-faced weirdo with a gargantuan inferiority complex got to be there at the start of a new improv comedy theater, and he had the time of his damn life.

Okay, it wasn’t 146,000 years ago. It’s was 2007. And from then until 2015, I was a member of the LOL ensemble. I performed in countless short-form improv shows. I got my start teaching classes. I got my start directing teams. I even tried my hand at bartending. But most importantly, I got to laugh my ass off night after night after night.

Now, after 17 years of awesome, Laugh Out Loud Theater has closed. But for its last weekend – the Last Laugh – I got to return to perform in all four final shows alongside the current cast and lots and lots of alums from back in the day! Folks flew in from across the country. So many old friends. So many awesome, talented jokers. An absolute joy.

17 years of being the funniest, coolest place in Schaumburg, building an amazing community of comedians, students, and fans. Quite a feat by Owner/Director Lillie Frances.

Thanks for having me, Lillie. You changed my life.

And now, Laugh Out Loud lives on as an itinerant theater company! Check ’em out at LaughOutLoudInc.com.