'Strip Joker' Comedy Show Showcases Empowering, Body Positive Experience

CHICAGO, IL - Two of the most common phobias in the world today are public speaking and undressing in front of total strangers.

But a regular event at the Uptown Underground venue in Chicago combines the two fears into a fun night that is anything but apprehensive.

‘Strip Joker’ is the brainchild of Wicker Park resident Brittany Meyer, a designer who about a year ago wanted to create a comedy show that was based on empowerment.

“At first, I thought it might be good to have something based off of taking off an item of clothing if one of your jokes bombed, but with that concept, it would be based on a negative, and I wanted this to be something positive.”

So once a month, area comedians gather and tell the jokes while they take off clothing.

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The gatherings are empowering because the removal of clothing is associated with a welcoming atmosphere.

The show, which is always sold out, is performed live, once a month, on the second Friday. It’s already acquired some big name acts like, Ali Clayton, Lara Beitz, Kellye Howard, Claire Swanson, Joel Boyd, Sarah Squirm, and Gwen LaRoka are just some names who have already taken part. Lined up to perform is Peter Kim, Kelsie Huff, and Becca Brown in the coming months.

Meyer, a freelance designer, came to Chicago from Florida. She began working with Whitney Wasson, and their newest producer, Molly Kearney, on this project.

It’s not the first of its kind in the nation, but the first known that combines comedy and nudity with a positive concept.

“In other shows with a stripping/nudity concept, the butt of the joke is typically nudity itself...but here, this is positivity and we allow our comics more freedom.”

Hence the fact that not every comic gets nude during the set.

“It isn’t forced on anybody,” Meyer said, adding though that most do take off a good amount of clothing.

‘Strip Joker’ has also partnered with another body positive movement most Chicagoans have probably run into at least a few times over the past year.

Matthew Hoffman, the creator of the large “You are Beautiful” signs that have popped up in various parts of the city, has partnered with the show. One of the signs is placed behind the comics during Strip Joker, reinforcing the positive and welcoming aspect of the show featuring a variety of different performers.

So far, Strip Joker has not only produced a form of body positive expression, but also a plethora of memorable comedic moments as well.

On the show’s opening night, one comic handed out instruments to members of the audience and told them to play music if a joke was “groovy” enough to take something off.

A female identified comic took a shot at the double standard that exists when it comes to 'male' and 'female' nipples. She performed topless, but covered her own nipples with “male pasties,” images of a man’s nipples.

Every show is different, although Meyer says they limit their casting to one, straight, white, cis, male comic - if any.

"We try to be as diverse as possible giving priority to LGBTQ, POC, and femme identifying comedians," she said.

The show has been running at Uptown Underground since April in their 50 seat Starlight lounge, but the show has just been signed to the Moonshine mainstage (120 capacity) second Fridays at 8 p.m. starting on Feb. 10 with their 1 year anniversary show.

Meyer hopes that this move to the bigger theatre will allow more people to enjoy the show every month, and be a part of such a unique and empowering experience. Tickets are available on Uptown Underground's website.