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.

Al's a new gay in Chicago looking for love in the big city when he bumps into the most beautiful man he's ever seen on the streets of Northalsted one night. Desperate to make his acquaintance, Al follows him into the legendary bathhouse Steamworks. As he makes his way through the maze of jacuzzis, slings, gloryholes, and fuck benches, Al makes a wild group of friends who help him discover what love might really mean when everyone's covered in cum.

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.

Magician Jay Collen performs selected tricks covering a century of close-up magic created by Chicago

magicians. Audiences are limited to 30 per performance so that everyone can experience the magic up close. Audience members are encouraged to participate in discussion about the each trick and its Chicago history. Jay performs extensively, is the Senior Magic Teacher at Magic, Incorporated, has written acclaimed books on magic, and is a magician member of the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.

If tickets for the show remain, they will be available at the box office an hour prior to the show.

 Annoyance 2026 Summer Intensives 

5 day course - 6 hours per day

PART 1:

The Annoyance Training Center teaches students how to develop and maintain a strong individual voice in their improvisation. These intensives will address the initiation of a scene; developing and maintaining strong characters; learning to hold on to your initial choices while at the same time, expanding on (heightening) the choices you have made; and learning to become deft at creating and weaving unexpected, character-based choices into your work.

Annoyance classes challenge the conventional wisdom of the rules of improvisation, examining what’s behind them and how they came to be in the first place. Simply put, we make you the best improviser YOU can be. All of our intensive teachers are ensemble members who have learned and performed with The Annoyance, and thus have first hand experience with the way we approach improvisation.

PART 2: 

Took the Intensive Part 1 and want more? Want to go further with your exploration of our philosophy? This is for you! With this intensive sequel, we go deeper into the teachings of The Annoyance, tackling things like context, group scene work, ensemble and much more.

Prerequisite for Part 2:  Students must have previously completed an Annoyance Part 1 Intensive or have completed AP5 within The Annoyance Training Center

SCHEDULE:

Classes: Mon - Fri 10am-5pm with a 1 hour break for lunch (1-2pm)

Optional Workshops: Mon - Thu 5-7pm

Optional Showcase: Fri 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.

See how short form improv works and even try it out yourself! This short form jam is open to Annoyance students and other improv performers. Join us!

Open to current, former, and prospective students, The Annoyance Improv Games Jam is an opportunity to get on stage and put what you've been learning in class into action!

This jam will focus on game-based (short form) improv. Hear the rules or the description of the game and jump in! Make quick choices and find the funny fast!

Mondays 8pm FREE

*No ticket required

*Any money collected will be considered a donation to The Annoyance's Scholarship Funds

Annoyance students let loose in this student improv jam - all Annoyance students are welcome to attend and get on stage! A great opportunity to meet and collaborate with other students in your improv community.

Looking for a Stand-up Comedy Open Mic that’s a supportive room and always a good time? Look no further than the Ya'll Mic. Whether you’re a seasoned comic, an improvisor who’s always wanted to try standup, or you just decided that today’s the day for your first open mic (kudos) – The Ya'll Mic is a great venue to workshop your bits. The show is every Tuesday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Signup is online and the signup sheet is posted on Facebook & IG on Mondays. The list is emailed out a few hours before the show. Comics get 4 minutes of stage time (and a lifetime of memories.) While all are welcome, the room prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Femme comics. Come laugh with us!

Open to current, former, and prospective students, The Annoyance Musical Improv Jam is the perfect opportunity to practice what you've been learning in class, or experiment and try something new!

Tuesdays 7:00pm FREE

*No ticket required

*Any money collected will be considered a donation to The Annoyance's Scholarship Funds

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

Are you and your improv team looking for another place to get on stage? We've got a warm and supportive room ready to give you laughs and claps! Bring your own team to Annoyance on Tuesday nights to get a rep in and giggle. If you don't have a team to bring, no worries! There's a mashup team and we're happy to throw you on it! Signups are at 8:30PM and we'll hit the stage at 9:00PM. See you every Tuesday!

Open Stage is an opportunity for anyone to get on stage and try out whatever they're currently working on - standup, sketch, songs - you name it. At Open Stage anything can happen and it usually does! Reserving a ticket doesn't mean reserving a spot in the RO, so come on by at 9PM for sign ups in the bar!

You’re (un)invited!

Uninvited is a fully improvised event-based disaster in three acts. The audience supplies the suggestion of why we’re gathered, and then we show you what wackiness and whimsy unfolded before, after, and then during the event. Join us for a one-hour chaotic descent into why we got ourselves Uninvited.