COOL NEWS
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Check out a write-up in the Chicago Reader about SERENITY NOW, my sober comedy show.
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I got to tweet for Tig Notaro! My silly tweet about being sober got 15k likes. :O
HELLO.
I'm Whitney. I'm a standup comedian and artist in Chicago, by way of Arkansas.
I've performed at comedy clubs, rowdy bars and comedy festivals across the country and produced sold-out, independent shows, too.
Outside of conventional comedy environments, I've been featured and emceed at charity events, recovery conferences and university events. If you're looking for a seasoned emcee, pick me!
If you came here to see my comics, that's here!
ABOUT
Whitney Wasson (she/they) is a Chicago-based stand-up comedian and writer, originally from Arkansas. Chicago credits include the Laugh Factory, Zanies, iO, Second City, Steppenwolf, The Annoyance, and the Cards Against Humanity Theater. She's been featured at a dozen festivals across the country and was chosen as a headliner for the 2017 Chicago Women's Funny Festival. She performs weekly in Chicago, produces a monthly showcase, SERENITY NOW, and draws the weekly webcomic, SOBER RABBIT.
An experienced emcee and producer, Whitney is a former founding producer of STRIP JOKER, the smash hit, body-positive, LGBTQ+ showcase. Under her marketing expertise, the show received positive mentions in the Huffington Post, Chicago Reader, RedEye Chicago, and Rebellious Magazine for Women, among others.
In 2018, she created YOU WON, a variety show in the Chris Farley Cabaret at iO Chicago. The satirical awards show asked improvisers, storytellers and musicians to explore what it means to be successful.
Her new monthly showcase, SERENITY NOW, features a cast of all sober performers at The Crowd Theater, every third Saturday. Featured in the Chicago Reader and Scapi Magazine, SERENITY NOW aims to promote the talent of people in recovery, and prove that your art only improves when you sober up. Read about it here.
SHOWS
I perform weekly in Chicago, and travel frequently for festivals.
2020 booking note: I am taking January off to recover from an injury and will resume shows in February.
Follow me on Facebook or Twitter to non-creepily keep tabs on me.
SOCIAL
For updates on shows in Chicago, tour schedule and other things going on with me, please follow me on social media.
SERENITY NOW
SERENITY NOW is a comedy/variety show featuring performers who are in recovery from substance abuse and other forms of addiction.
Storytellers, improvisors, solo sketch performers, standup comedians, musicians and other talented sober folks explore what recovery means to them. While there is no age restriction, this show features adult content.
SERENITY NOW is held every third Saturday of the month at The Crowd Theater at Irving Park and Broadway, just off the Irving Park exit from Lakeshore Drive. For more about The Crowd, go here.
Out of respect for performers, please no drugs/alcohol (including vaping) in the theater.
Serenity Now! creates a sober space for performers in a booze-filled industry | Brianna Wellen
"Stand-up Whitney Wasson wanted to create a healthier environment for people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction."
FREELANCE
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ILLUSTRATION. I have illustrated a range of projects, from logo design, to show posters, even to tattoos! Check out my work here.
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WEB DESIGN. I've created websites for individuals, theater companies and small businesses. I can make complex, dynamic, multi-page sites or simple, starter websites that you can customize yourself. Affordable options! Plenty of references available.
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PET SITTING. I've done short and long-term, on-site pet sitting. If you have furry friend and will be away for a few days or even a month, let me take great care of them. If you live in the Chicago area, send me your travel dates, location and a description of duties. Arkansas and Illinois references available.
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TRANSCRIPTION. I worked for one of the country's top verbatim transcription services, serving clients in in political, finance and business sectors. I'm capable of overnight turnaround for audio scripts, with enough notice. Competitive rates, local (and remote) references available.
PRESS
Radio One Chicago presents Live From The Lair | Podcast
NEW: I was a recent guest on this new podcast on Radio One Chicago, WLUW. Pat and Jeannine interviewed me about SERENITY NOW sober comedy, and creating the webcomic, SOBER RABBIT.
Serenity Now! creates a sober space for performers in a booze-filled industry | Brianna Wellen
"Stand-up Whitney Wasson wanted to create a healthier environment for people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction."
Strip Joker encourages body positivity through comedy and nudity | Brianna Wellen
Comedians talk about their bodies while showing as much (or as little) as they like during the stand-up showcase.
Meet Whitney Wasson in Uptown | Staff
A profile in which I talk about the genesis of YOU WON and getting started in comedy.
Photo by ANF Chicago
Recovering Space: Five Ways to be Inclusive of Sober Theater Artists | Em Haverty
"Comic Whitney Wasson has taken to creating a sober performance space by producing the variety show SERENITY NOW! at The Crowd Theater.
Recovering Space: Five Things Sober Theater Artists Wish They Knew Earlier On | Em Haverty
"Wasson’s completely-sober variety show SERENITY NOW gives space for performers in recovery in a non-bar setting."
Comedians Weigh In: Is Our Culture Becoming Hyper Sensitive? | Staff
I'm one of several comedians talking about whether or not comedy audiences are becoming hypersensitive. (Spoiler: They aren't.)
Comedy Competition Roars with Laughter | Theresa Niemczyk
After winning the competition the year before, I hosted the competition at the University of Arkansas.
Comedienne Finds Comedy Amidst Stereotypes and Taboos | Nick Brothers
A profile about my start in comedy that really riled up some scene dudes!