Chicago’s improv scene has welcomed a new all‑women troupe called the Maldivas. The five comedians—Emma Higgins (28, New York), Eliza Wizner (26, Connecticut), Lauren Dib (26, Arizona), Eleanor Hindson (32, London) and Chicago native Sophia Fattore (26)—first connected early in 2024 over a shared desire to practice improv without the expense of ongoing comedy classes.
From Text‑Message Idea to Stage Performances
In January, Higgins sent a group text to three of the women, saying she was tired of paying for classes and wanted to see if their chemistry worked. “Spoiler alert: It did work out,” she recalled. By March the quintet officially formed, rehearsing in each other’s apartments before landing a slot at iO Theater that same month.
Why the Name ‘Maldivas’?
The troupe’s name emerged during a playful geography debate about the location of the Maldives while the women were hanging out. The joke stuck, and the name now signals the group’s light‑hearted spirit.
Building Community Through Comedy
Since forming, the Maldivas have performed more than a dozen shows at local venues, including Bughouse Theater (1910 W. Irving Park Rd., North Center) and The Playground. October is their busiest month yet, with five scheduled gigs, highlighted by a Halloween show on Saturday at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $14.99 and can be purchased online. The troupe also creates short, unscripted video skits for TikTok and Instagram, many of which celebrate Chicago life—such as a parody of the CTA ‘L’ lines and jokes about the city’s “weird, quirky, hipster” bars.
Viral Success and Celebrity Attention
One TikTok video, a five‑minute sketch about middle‑school girls, amassed 6.5 million views after its September 25 release. The clip caught the eye of comedian Amy Poehler, who commented on the post, and reality‑TV personality Snooki, who posted a playful “Every middle school dance” remark.
Supporting Women in a Traditionally Male‑Dominated Art Form
Wizner noted that comedy has long been male‑dominated, and the Maldivas aim to create a welcoming environment for anyone curious about improv. “We want people who think improv is weird or lame to come to our shows and have a good time,” she said.
Each member balances day jobs and improv coursework while hoping to transition to full‑time comedy careers. Dib expressed a dream of a free, all‑expenses‑paid trip to the Maldives—a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to the troupe’s name.
Looking Ahead
The group hopes to expand beyond Chicago, mentioning possible shows in Milwaukee and New York City. They also aspire to headline a performance at Second City, the city’s iconic comedy institution.
Fans can follow the Maldivas on Instagram and TikTok for updates on upcoming shows and new videos.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
