Comedy Plex is bringing back a weekend of laughter to downtown Oak Park with the second annual Funny is Female festival.
From Oct. 22 to 25, 51 women and female-identifying comedians will perform at Comedy Plex, 1128 Lake St., and the Dragon Lounge in Sushi House just down the street. There will be comedy workshops hosted during the day. There are shows for everyone, even a “clean” show more suitable for kids about 12 and up.
Marina Franklin, as seen on HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Hulu’s Life & Beth, will headline on Friday, and Ariel Elias, seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, will headline on Saturday.
The festival had amazing turnout and support with its first year in 2025, allowing for the event to only grow and bring in even more talent this year. Angie McMahon, Marta Segal Block and Lisa Nagatomo-Timms are the all-women team making it possible.
“This is what women coming together can do,” said Nagatomo-Timms.
Segal Block originally had the idea for an all-female festival to give an opportunity to uplift voices and provide space for female comedians that is lacking in the comedy industry as a whole. The three came together to make that idea into reality, pushing the boundaries of just how big it can be.
“One female comedian to every five male comedians is what the scene is basically all across the country,” said McMahon. “Creating space for women is just going to create more opportunities for women.”
Segal Block said festivals such as this are more than just performance experience but also set up opportunities for networking and building crucial relationships within the industry.
It takes a village to put on an event such as this, and Oak Park rose to the occasion. Businesses in the area, the Village of Oak Park, Downtown Oak Park and the Chamber of Commerce rallied behind Comedy Plex with sponsorships and support.
Performers across the country and visitors from all over the Chicago area come for the festival and stay for Oak Park’s unique charm and vibrant community in turn supporting more businesses all over downtown.
“Oak Park has a history and a tradition and an ethos of being an open, welcoming community that accepts and values diversity,” said Segal Block. “We’re not the city, so we can be friendlier. We can work together more. I think that’s baked into Oak Park’s DNA.”
Tickets to individual shows or passes for the whole weekend can be bought on the Comedy Plex website.
Anyone who may be inspired to get involved or take up comedy themselves have a variety of options through Comedy Plex. There is a free Open Mic night every Wednesday and a variety of stand-up classes offered for adults, children and even corporate workshops.