The Annoyance's very own musical ensembles. They sing funny songs. Off the top of their heads. Every Tuesday at 8.

Join us at the Annoyance to ring in the New Year! 

We’re leaving 2025 behind with a night of community, frivolity, and a variety show of the best comedians in Chicago. 

As an independently run theatre, we endeavor to give back to the community that fuels us. That’s why we’re partnering with Common Pnantry for our New Year’s celebration.

Join us for...

- a Variety Show featuring Sketch, Improv, Songs, and more! Laugh your way into the New Year!

- a champagne toast at midnight!

- dance party after the show!

DOORS OPEN @8:30pm. SHOW BEGINS @9:30pm

Tickets to attend with a glass of champagne at midnight plus SNACKS! $35 plus an option to donate what you can for Common Pantry. End the year with Giving!

Leave your 2025 troubles at home and join us for a great launch of 2026!

See you soon, at The Annoyance!

Step into the one glamorous but now lovingly frayed Blue Velvet Lounge, where the only thing not improvised are the jazz standards crooned by lounge singer Seth Lowry. As Seth’s velvet voice fades, the ensemble sweeps in, spinning spontaneous scenes inspired directly by the songs just performed. One moment, you’re eavesdropping on the eccentric regulars tucked into the lounge’s candlelit corners; the next, you’re whisked far beyond the club to follow the unexpected lives of the characters you just met—bartenders with secret ambitions, mysterious strangers with tangled pasts, and dreamers who stepped into the Blue Velvet for reasons they can’t quite explain. Playful, surprising, and steeped in a retro-cool vibe, this show blends live music and improvised storytelling into a one-of-a-kind night where every note inspires a new twist—and every visit to the Blue Velvet reveals something you’ve never seen before.

As a Christian kid, maybe you grew up with Veggie Tales, Psalty the Singing Songbook, or The Donut Man. But what wholesome content do the kids of today have? Why, Benny Bingo and the Evangelikids of course! Become an Evangelikid and meet us at the Flamingo Club House! We'll learn all about Jesus and the Gospel through songs, stories, prescriptive gender roles, and patriarchy! But when the cameras cut, it seems like some of the kids, and perhaps even Benny Bingo himself, are starting to have questions....maybe even doubts? Watch this heartwarming and hilarious original musical that explores themes of deconstruction, queerness, and individuality within the confines of an oppressive belief system — all while unapologetically leaning into joy.

Brand new sketch comedy every week from one of Chicago's premiere sketch teams.

Hail and well met, traveler! Grab a drink, put up your cloak, and I’ll tell you a tale. Escapades is a completely improvised choose-your-own adventure. Sprinkled throughout each story are opportunities for the audience to vote on what happens next. Whether we’re riding jetpacks on Mars or a unicorn through a gumdrop forest, you’re guaranteed a night of gasps, laughs, twists, turns, and daring rescues. Excelsior!

A Chicago based improv comedy show and drinking game based on the works of Alfred Hitchcock.

See a collage of character studies, scenes, songs and maybe even some audience interaction, all written in a week by some of Chicago’s most accomplished comedians. The “Holy Fuck Comedy Hour” is a curated hour of eclectic, comedic material written in a week with no rehearsals. Featuring a powerful collective representing a wide cross-section of the Chicago comedy community, the material varies every week.

Step into the one glamorous but now lovingly frayed Blue Velvet Lounge, where the only thing not improvised are the jazz standards crooned by lounge singer Seth Lowry. As Seth’s velvet voice fades, the ensemble sweeps in, spinning spontaneous scenes inspired directly by the songs just performed. One moment, you’re eavesdropping on the eccentric regulars tucked into the lounge’s candlelit corners; the next, you’re whisked far beyond the club to follow the unexpected lives of the characters you just met—bartenders with secret ambitions, mysterious strangers with tangled pasts, and dreamers who stepped into the Blue Velvet for reasons they can’t quite explain. Playful, surprising, and steeped in a retro-cool vibe, this show blends live music and improvised storytelling into a one-of-a-kind night where every note inspires a new twist—and every visit to the Blue Velvet reveals something you’ve never seen before.

Mentalism meets improv comedy in the entirely unique form created by Annoyance founder Mick Napier. There is truly nothing else like it.

Enjoy an evening of off-the-cuff improv with some of the best emerging talent in the Chicago area. Fire & Beer is a fully improvised comedy show that explores the dark sides of life, relationships and human beings. The show features the Annoyance House Ensemble who excel at both long- and short-form improv. You can expect lots of laughs during this unpredictable improv show.

An hour long comedy show featuring some of Annoyance Theatre’s best and funniest.

A bunch of grown-ass adults get high and play make believe.

AP1: Chicago Improv for Beginners

FOR FULL COURSE DESCRIPTION - CLICK HERE

Schedule:

Classes meet once a week on the same day each week, for eight (8) total classes

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday classes meet 6:30-9pm

Saturday and Sunday classes meet 1-3:30pm

This class will culminate in an optional showcase on the final Sunday of the term

NOTE* days with multiple offerings of the same class level (Ex. Sunday AP1(a) AP1(b)) will teach the same curriculum. Students may be moved between these classes before the term starts to ensure an even distribution in each class.

Important Dates:

Term 1 (Winter) 2026 1/5 - 3/8

NO CLASS 1/12 - 1/18

Registration is Non-Refundable:

Please be sure about your schedule before you register for class. Here’s why….

Your enrollment HOLDS A SPACE in a class that we are no longer able to offer someone else.

Class payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and can be applied only to the current term’s class for which you have signed up. This applies if you get cast in a show, get a new job, or other situation, or have other changes to your schedule. So please be sure about your schedule before you register.

AP2: Beginning Annoyance Philosophy - Initiations

About the Course:

This course is an immersive examination of The Annoyance philosophy on, and approach to, improv. AP2 focuses on decisive initiations and a strong point of view. This class focuses on the first seconds of scenes and explores how they affect the rest of the scene. 

In AP2, you will cover:

• Personal responsibility in a scene ? taking care of yourself and your choices
• Trusting instincts
• Creating/Finding “Your Deal” at the top of the scene
• Beginning character development
• Object work as inspiration
• Environment as inspiration
• The responsibility of operating without censorship.
• Individual feedback and tendencies
• 
  

Prerequisite: 

AP1 or sufficient background in improv. Please let us know in the comments section below where you have studied so that we may contact them to confirm.

Schedule:

Classes meet once a week on the same day each week for eight (8) total classes

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday classes meet 6:30-9pm

Saturday and Sunday classes meet 1-3:30pm

This class will culminate in an optional showcase on the final Sunday of the term

NOTE* days with multiple offerings of the same class level (Ex. Sunday AP1(a) AP1(b)) will teach the same curriculum. Students may be moved between these classes before the term starts to ensure an even distribution in each class.

Important Dates:

Term 1 (Winter) 2026 1/5 - 3/8

NO CLASS 1/12 - 1/18

Registration is Non-Refundable:

Please be sure about your schedule before you register for class. Here’s why….

Your enrollment HOLDS A SPACE in a class that we are no longer able to offer someone else.

Class payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and can be applied only to the current term’s class for which you have signed up. This applies if you get cast in a show, get a new job, or other situation, or have other changes to your schedule. So please be sure about your schedule before you register.

AP3: Scene Work

About the Course:

AP3: Scene Work, is about taking that next step in scenes. While AP2 focused on the beginning moments of a scene, in AP3 students are challenged to play with more complexity and style, juggling it all within a scene while always maintaining their strong point of view. 

Aspects of this class include:

• Acknowledging the realities of your scene partner
• Scenic development: Finding the Highways and Bi-ways of a scene to extend its length
• Managing context without getting in your head (the who/what/where/when/why/etc.)
• Creating specific, surprising choices
• Playing with Opposites and Curve Balls
• Creating and playing with multiple patterns or games in a scene
• In-depth three person and group scene work
• Protecting and Playing the Freak
• Learning how to repair a scene that isn’t working
• Managing forms and style
• DaDa scenes (playing fiercely without needing to “make sense”)
• Justification: how to use it not out of fear but as a tool.
• Personal challenge and goals based on individual feedback
• 
  

Prerequisite: 

Students must have completed AP2 to take this course.

Schedule:

Classes meet once a week on the same day each week for a total of eight (8) weeks

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday classes meet 6:30-9pm

Saturday and Sunday classes meet 1-3:30pm

This class will culminate in an optional showcase on the final Sunday of the term

NOTE* days with multiple offerings of the same class level (Ex. Sunday AP1(a) AP1(b)) will teach the same curriculum. Students may be moved between these classes before the term starts to ensure an even distribution in each class.

Important Dates:

Term 1 (Winter) 2026 1/5 - 3/8

NO CLASS 11/12 - 1/18

Registration is Non-Refundable:

Please be sure about your schedule before you register for class. Here’s why….

Your enrollment HOLDS A SPACE in a class that we are no longer able to offer someone else.

Class payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and can be applied only to the current term’s class for which you have signed up. This applies if you get cast in a show, get a new job, or other situation, or have other changes to your schedule. So please be sure about your schedule before you register.

Annoyance Standup

About the Course:

Introduction to Stand-Up Comedy: In this class you will learn how to find your voice as a stand-up comic by learning the history, studying joke structure, and finding your comedic style. Each student will leave with a tight 3-5 minute showcase set.

Instructor Bio:

St James Jackson is a Chicago comedy staple and a nationally touring headliner, regularly featured at top comedy clubs across the country. His comedic talent has earned him mentions in The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Reader. St James has opened for comedy icons such as Hannibal Buress, Roy Wood Jr., and Janelle James.

Beyond the stage, St James is known for his viral street interviews on TikTok and Instagram, showcasing his sharp wit and ability to connect with audiences of all kinds. With years of experience producing shows, running open mics, leading comedy seminars, and mentoring comedians, St James brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his classes.

His teaching style focuses on helping students discover their unique comedic voices, refine their material, and develop the confidence to command any stage. St James is passionate about nurturing the next generation of comedians and providing them with the tools and guidance needed to thrive in the comedy industry.

Schedule:

Classes meet once a week on the same day each week, for six (6) total classes

This class will culminate in an optional student showcase at The Annoyance

STANDUP Mondays 6:30-9pm

Important Dates:

Term 1 2026 1/5 - 2/9

STUDENT SHOWCASE

Saturday 2/14 - 5pm

Registration is Non-Refundable

Please be sure about your schedule before you register for class. Here’s why….

Your enrollment HOLDS A SPACE in a class that we are no longer able to offer someone else.

Class payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and can be applied only to the current term’s class for which you have signed up. This applies if you get cast in a show, get a new job, or other situation, or have other changes to your schedule. So please be sure about your schedule before you register.

CRASS1: Improv to Sketch

About the Course:

CRASS (CReating Annoyance Style Shows) is a the next step in The Annoyance's process; using improv to create written material.

In CRASS 1, students will take all of the improv skills they've honed in AP1-5 and together with their director, create a written sketch revue. Students will be assigned additional roles outside of actor/writer and may be responsible for costumes, props, etc. These classes are more intensive than AP1-5 and will require additional work and rehearsal outside of class hours.

For over 30 years the Annoyance has specialized in using improv comedy to create full length plays and musicals. From Annoyance classics like Splatter Theater and Co-ed Prison Sluts, to more modern shows like Steamworks: The Musical and Live Laugh Blood, The Annoyance has enjoyed pushing the envelope of what plays and musicals can be.

With this class, students will start the journey of turning their improv into written works, refining, planning, and creating a full sketch revue.

• Using Annoyance style improvisation to build a sketch
• Theatre Roles
• Technical aspects of the theatre

Prerequisite: 

Students must have completed AP5 to enroll in this class

Schedule:

Classes meet once a week on the same day each week

Mondays Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 6:30-9:00pm

Saturdays and Sundays 1:00-3:30pm

Note: This class will meet for 9 weeks

CASS 1 classes features a two week run of shows after the class term. 

Important Dates:

Term 1 2026 1/5 - 3/8

NO CLASS 1/12 - 1/18

CRASS1 Techs:

TBD

(Will attempt to schedule same as regular class meeting time or Sat or Sun prior to show 1)

CRASS 1 Shows:

3/15

3/22

Registration is Non-Refundable:

Please be sure about your schedule before you register for class. Here’s why….

Your enrollment HOLDS A SPACE in a class that we are no longer able to offer someone else.

Class payments are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and can be applied only to the current term’s class for which you have signed up. This applies if you get cast in a show, get a new job, or other situation, or have other changes to your schedule. So please be sure about your schedule before you register.