The Lakeshore Theater, which has staged countless comedy shows featuring both well-known national acts and emerging Chicago talent since it's arrival on the scene in March of 2007, is looking to expand its capabilities into the realm of production.

The Bastion recently spoke with Lakeshore owner and mastermind Chris Ritter and got the scoop on the theater's ambitions.

"In addition to being able to shoot things off-site, we’re basically going to be converting the Lakeshore into a studio. We’ll have multiple camera positions permanently installed, be wired for good sound, have a green-screen available on stage, the works. There’s been a growing interest from comics in using the Lakeshore as the venue they want to record concerts in -- Demitri Martin, Michael Ian Black & Prescott Tolk have all recorded CD’s here and Rick Shapiro will be shooting his new DVD here in September. Having the production company in-house will enable us to offer production services to folk at a less expensive rate than an outside company coming in will be able to. The production companies first client will be the Lakeshore itself. As you know, internet marketing is a critical part of reaching comedy audiences and we want to be doing all sorts of stuff to promote Lakeshore events and help fill the house through the production of original content for web distribution.

"Long term goals include producing two distinct TV series. The first would be a standard “Live at the Lakeshore” stand-up comedy show and the second would be a reality-based series revolving around the operation of the venue itself. Lord knows, if they can make compelling TV out of a tattoo parlor, we have enough drama and laughs around here to do the same! Even longer term goals would be to develop and produce feature films.

"Given the amazing wealth of talent we have coming through the Lakeshore on a weekly basis, this really just seems like a natural fit and the best way to take our enterprise to the next level and distribute great comedy to an ever-wider audience. We’re still in the midst of putting all this together, so it’s all kind of evolving now, but it’s very exciting."

The Lakeshore Theater is at 3175 North Broadway. Scheduled upcoming acts include Kristen Schaal, Mike Birbiglia, Christian Finnegan, Schadenfreude, Blewt's third season of Impress These Apes, Doug Benson, and Maria Bamford.