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

As more than 2 million Illinois residents face the loss of SNAP Annoyance hosts two special benefit performances titled "SNAP Out of It" on November 8 and November 15, with ticket proceeds supporting the Common Pantry's mission to provide food security to those in need.

All ticket, auction and donation proceeds, as well as non-perishable items donated for food drive go to Common Pantry.

Each show features a different lineup... 

TALENT INCLUDES:

Annoyance Teachers (Fishbowl)

Best of Annoyance Sketch

Claudia Wallace

Father Figures

JC Brooks

Missed Call

Napier & Estlin

Sean Flannery

Second City

Shake the Baby

Susan Messing & John Lehr

TJ Jagodowski

Tuesday Musical Improv

AUCTION ITEMS FROM: 

Drew's On Halsted

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce

Second City

Steppenwolf Theatre

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.

Introducing the Annoyance Variety Hour! Featuring performances from Chicago's best comedians, musicians, magicians, circus performers, puppeteers, and everything in between! A true everything goes show reminiscent of classic programs like the Ed Sullivan Show and the Gong Show, its sure to surprise and amaze even the most seasoned of theater goers. Hosted by one of Chicago's best alternative comedians, Michael Serio, an international headliner and regular at major comedy venues all across the city, and live music played every night by the soulful stylings of the musical comedy duo sensation So Far So Good, the only thing you'll be disappointed by is that you didn't go see it sooner. 

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

Varun Thakur is back with his latest special Space Cadet—a hilarious deep dive into the existential chaos of adulthood. From navigating marriage without a user manual to debating whether having kids is just signing up for 18 years of unpaid internship, Varun tackles life’s big questions with relatable rants, unhinged act-outs and the energy of a man who’s just realized his EMI will outlive him.

With his signature high-energy storytelling and spot-on impressions, Space Cadet is a wild ride through the mind of a man just trying to keep up with life… and occasionally escape it. Buckle up and blast off with Varun Thakur’s Space Cadet!

In a coven, where the witches don’t want to move and find new friends, where partners are passed around, and where warlocks go to sleeze. What is this? oh yeah it's THE COVEN. Join the warlocks and witches as they celebrate a wedding in vegas!

Calling all 90s kids! This show is for you. Each week Chicago’s hottest comedians share PowerPoints on their favorite 90s obsessions, while the audience battles over trivia from Boy Bands to Beanie Babies. Hosted by Colette Gregory and Bren Tran, this show mixes comedy, crowdwork, and (your favorite 90s) crushes into a wild night that will make you forget you’re grown!

Think of your favorite musical but off-the-dome and underground... it’s The Great Human Machine! DePaul Comedy Arts’ improvisers mix long-form improv and their musical talents to create an on-the-spot and theatrical piece every Monday at 6:30.

Wall Pasta is a show where Chicago comedians try out brand new sketch material and see what sticks! Hosted by Elizabeth Wilson and Claire Hyman, this bi-weekly showcase is an opportunity for the city's silliest to debut brand-spanking new material in front of a supportive, captive audience. To perform in or watch the show, follow @wall_pasta on Instagram for updates.

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 Tuesdays 7-9pm

Important Dates:

Term 5 2025 10/20 - 12/21

(NO CLASSES) 11/24 - 11/29)

Tue Classes 11/11 - 12/16 6:30-9pm

STUDENT SHOWCASES

Tuesday Class - Friday 12/19 6pm

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.

A Random Memory is a close-up magic show about memories, connection, and bringing people together to experience magic. In this highly interactive hour of card tricks and mentalism your memories take center stage to make classics of magic more meaningful. So take a seat at the close-up table and together let’s make a magic show worth remembering.

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

The Dim Sons are a two man Asian comedy duo whose chemistry and quick fire wit is the envy of all duos. This 55 minute show will highlight sketches, songs, and improvised segments filled with clever wordplay and unexpected heart. Join the Dim Son as they discover why they're as classic a combination as PB&J. Brian Park and Robert Kapaku formed the Dim Sons as a spin-off of the 2024 Victor Wong Fellowship at The Second City.

You've been summoned...to laugh.

Jury Duty is a fully improvised courtroom comedy where the only thing on trial is sanity itself.

Each night, the cast creates a brand new legal disaster based on audience suggestion, questionable logic, and total chaos. Watch as the foreperson loses their mind, evidence makes things worse, and deliberations go off the rails.

No script, no rules, no justice. Just comedy

The trial is fake, the laughs are real

Start your weekends early with Cafe Lounge Underwater, Thursdays at The Annoyance!

Cafe Lounge Underwater is a sketch show that feels like a great house party. There’s dancing, music, drinks, and of course, laughs. Join Caroline Burke, Tom Phelan, and Maryrose Sheridan as they perform sketches from their monthly show run!

After two sold-out runs at Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre and features in the Chicago Sketchfest and Miami Improv Festival, Cafe Lounge Underwater brings a brand new show that will have you asking, “when can we all hang out next?”

Fishbowl hosted by Sight Unseen is a two act improv show. First, Annoyance students get a chance to enter their IDs into a fishbowl to be randomly selected to perform in an improv jam with veteran Annoyance teachers and performers. The night closes with a set from Sight Unseen - an Annoyance house team that prides itself on being equal parts heartwarming and offensive.

Inspired by the classic TV show The Twilight Zone, we explore our audience's deepest fears with a comedic twist. Join us for a new fully improvised episode each week in the dimension of imagination!

Nationally headlining queer comedian and activist Dana Goldberg is bringing her new comedy tour - OUTrageous - to Chicago for one night only! Join Dana for a night of hilarious stand-up, heartfelt storytelling, and a chance to be in joyful community with each other. As the horrifying headlines continue, Dana is fired up and gayer than ever. Run Time: 75 min

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

Nationally headlining queer comedian and activist Dana Goldberg is bringing her new comedy tour - OUTrageous - to Chicago for one night only! Join Dana for a night of hilarious stand-up, heartfelt storytelling, and a chance to be in joyful community with each other. As the horrifying headlines continue, Dana is fired up and gayer than ever. Run Time: 75 min

AHHHHH! What's that!! A monster? A ghost? A divorced dad with a guitar? No!? It's Double Booked Presents: Spooky! That Rocks! 

Come to the Annoyance Theatre small stage to see Ghost Rats and Cat Bath share some of the scariest and rockiest bits the city has ever seen! There will be ghouls, vampires, and geological formations galore!

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.