Conversations centered around mental health, while necessary, are often times quite heavy and difficult. At Support Staff we are working towards breaking down the stigmas surrounding mental health, and addressing the dehumanizing nature of the hospitality industry to help our community heal and live happier lives. And we believe that laughter and joy are incredibly important factors in healing our mental energy.

As part of the international Giving Tuesday campaign, please join Support Staff and Parlour Car as we present an hour of stand-up comedy featuring some of Chicago's funniest voices!

ALL ARE WELCOME! We know that a lot of the hospitality community is out of work, so this show is completely free! That being said, if you are in a position to give, we are asking for a suggested donation of $15 (or whatever you can donate).

LINE UP:

Alex Kumin

Alex Kumin's bold and whip smart standup delights crowds across the city of Chicago and around the US. She is an alumni of the nation's longest running independent standup comedy showcase, The Lincoln Lodge, through which she also teaches Chicago's favorite all-female standup class, Feminine Comique. Her monthly showcase, Diamond Comedy Hour, takes place at the Chicago Laugh Factory on the first Friday of the month, featuring the premiere female comedians in the city and beyond. She was recently featured in New City Chicago’s “Player’s 2020” list as “one of the most essential - and versatile - players in the Chicago comedy scene.” She has participated in Gilda's Laughfest - Best of the Midwest Competition (2017), NBC Universal's Breakout Festival ('16, '17, ‘18), Limestone Comedy Festival (2015) and The Chicago Comedy Exposition (2015), and been named a comic to watch by Timeout Chicago and The Chicago Reader.

Sohrab Forouzesh

Sohrab Forouzesh is a Chicago based comedian and writer who won't take it personally if you say his name wrong. He moved to the U.S from Iran when he was just eight years old, and his material is heavily influenced by his experiences as a fat Persian kid growing up in America. His rapid-fire delivery paired with his down to earth reliability is what makes him a favorite of the local Chicago comedy scene. He was recently named a finalist for StandUP NBC, and he’s also a regular at the world famous Laugh Factory, Comedy Bar, and Zanies Comedy Club.

Matty Ryan

Matty is a stand-up/actor/writer who was a New Face at the 2019 Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, and recently taped a set for Comedy Central’s “Stand Up Featuring.” Matty’s recent television credits include FOX’s “Empire”, Netflix’s “Soundtrack”, and NBC’s "Chicago Fire". His other credits include MTV’s “Acting Out,” a supporting role in the indie film "Who Gets The Dog" opposite Alicia Silverstone and work with The Onion Network. As a standup, Matty was recently invited to perform at the 2020 San Francisco Sketch Fest, and tours across the country playing such clubs as The Laugh Factory, The Improv, and Zanies. He also performed at the 2013 Chicago Just For Laughs Festival in Chicago and currently produces two popular shows in Chicago, The Blackout Diaries and Parlour Car.

David Drake

David Drake is a comedian. He is a very funny comedian. He has been featured on Sirius XM Raw Dog Comedy and Laughs on 'Fox' in addition to Comcast's televised stand up series 'Who's Laughing Now?' and 'Trial by Laughter.' He was named one of Complex Magazine's ‘Comics to Watch Under 30’, he is a producer of Comedians You Should Know NYC, and a cast member at ComedySportz Chicago. His three comedy albums 'Dave' , Sorry Mom, and Live from the Gutter all debuted at number one on the iTunes comedy charts. In addition to stand up, he has been featured on the popular storytelling podcast, RISK!, can be frequently seen at the Moth, and produces the outdoor storytelling series Campfire.