By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
Motherhood, corporate work life, and the challenge of being an introvert who inexplicably is drawn to perform on stage are just some of the topics that a trio of women are using for punchlines as they take their stand-up comedy dreams from the classroom to the spotlight.
What started as three individuals, Samatha Chiappone, Brynn Jeffries, and Tricia Babischkin, taking a comedy class at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake, has become a story about friendship and what happens when one steps into the spotlight and lets it all out.
“We’re all moms, but we’re all in different places in our lives and in a weird way we’re really complementary to each other,” Babischkin said. “We push each other to do better.”
Along with its stage shows, Raue Center for the Arts offers a variety of classes for all ages throughout the year. When a friend tapped Babischkin to try the stand-up comedy class, something led her to say yes.
“I was very curious,” Babischkin said. “How do you put together the joke in the storyline?”
Chicago area comedian John DaCosse, along with his own stand-up performances, serves as the instructor in the art center’s stand-up comedy class as they make their crazy ideas and dreams into a reality.
“With stand-up comedy, it’s all you. You don’t have anybody to play off of,” DaCosse said.
DaCosse’s career included opening for comedians, including George Lopez, Craig Ferguson, and Billy Gardell, along with warming up the audience for the likes of Rosie O’Donnell and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
DaCosse just wrapped teaching his seventh class, watching students walk in to try something new, fulfill a wish on their bucket list, and culminate in a short five-minute stand-up comedy set before family and friends.
“It’s so fun to watch them,” he added.
He admits, there’s something special about the trio of Babischkin, Jeffrie,s and Chiappone. When they approached him with an idea about performing on stage outside of their class, he helped get them time on stage at the Zanies in Rosemont.
“They all did great,” DaCosse said. “They had a blast, and it was so much fun to see.”
And for the comedians, it was a new level of excitement and nerves stepping out on the stage.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous, but something happened when I got up there,” Chiappone said.
Though she is the youngest of the trio, her fellow comedians concur that she’s also the funniest.
“She amazes me,” Babischkin said. “She’s constantly coming up with new ideas.”
For Chiappone, taking the stage is truly a conquering of her own fears. She admits that for most of her life, she’s faced incredible anxiety, causing her to previously abandon dreams of acting and writing. With a nudge from her sister, Katelyn, she took the first stand-up class.
“This is so out of character for me. I’m quite the introvert,” said Chiappone, who grew up in Crystal Lake.
But in front of the microphone, something changes. Now, she finds herself studying other comedians, taking note of life, and finding new material all around her. She even uses her spotlight to talk about her anxieties.
“I love the relatable stuff. That’s what I find most funny,” Chiappone said. “John helped us with the timing, making better punchlines as well as etiquette.”
The three have a new appreciation for the writing that goes into comedy. The trio gets together regularly for writing sessions, and there are a lot of late-night and early morning text messages sharing questions, ideas, and lines.
“I have always thought about standup comedy,” said Jeffries of Crystal Lake. “That first time on stage was so much fun. It was such a high, I thought, ‘I think I have the bug.’”
Each comedian is slated for a chance to participate in Raue Center’s Lucy’s Comedy Show this year, and they’re looking to perform in other open mic and area comedy shows. Even as they spread their wings beyond the Raue Center, the historic theater holds a special place. Babischkin, a transplant to the Crystal Lake area, said the theater was one of the first places she explored in her new hometown, discovering its beauty, charm, and entertainment.
“I love the Raue,” Babischkin said. “The place is gorgeous, and I love the school and the opportunities to make art a priority in the community.”
🎭 Enrollment for RCSA’s Fall 2025 classes is now open! Whether you’re looking to act, dance, create, or perform, Raue Center School For The Arts has something for everyone—from kids to adults.
🎤 Ready to make people laugh? Don’t miss Sitting Down to Stand-Up with Chicago comedy veteran John DaCosse! Learn the craft of stand-up and end the session with a live performance on Raue Center’s stage. Spots are limited—sign up today and take the mic!
👉 rauecenter.org/education
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