The idea for SketchFest was born in October 2001, when Chicago teacher/director Brian Posen wanted to create a venue to showcase the city's best sketch comedy troupes and provide a venue for up-and-coming troupes, all free from financial burden.
A theater was leased and sketch groups from around Chicago were invited to perform at no cost.
In order to be considered for the festival, interested sketch groups are required to submit an application including videos of their material as well as critical reviews of their performances.
Sketchubator ran Saturday nights at midnight, and provided a free-for-all for sketch groups to perform experimental work.
The festival also gained the sponsorship of Budweiser, WBEZ, Days Inn, Kinkos, & National Photo.
In addition to the events, writing workshops were added, including Joe Garden- head writer from the Onion, and John Vorhaus-author of "The Comic Toolbox".
New sponsors included WXRT, The Onion, and Whole Foods, American Airlines and Avis.
OctaSketch entered its 4th year, and honored four the major comedy institutions The Second City, iO, Annoyance and ComedySportz by having each of them supply a director who created under their specific style.