4/19 - 5/10

A night of honesty, a night of joy, a night of passion.

Bean There, Done That and The Best Policy follow two queer Chicago-based comedians as they discuss their unconventional passions. Henry Hipp loves the Bean of Millenium Park. Lily Valentine loves gossip. These performers will argue, with the help of accompanying presentations and unapologetic enthusiasm, that their unique passions are ones that everyone should be talking about. No one understands them, but maybe after you watch, you will!

A Night of Unexpected Passion will feature two different openers every week discussing their unique interests.

Open Run

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!

10/31, 11/28, 12/26, 1/30

An LGBTQIA+ themed variety show featuring some of Chicago's strongest and most diversely hilarious voices!

4/2 - 4/30

One location. Infinite chaos.

Inspired by your suggestion, the Circuit Comedy Club ensemble builds an entire world inside a single place — and every time someone walks out of a room, we follow them.

Behind every door: a new twist, a new disaster, a new character you didn’t see coming.

Fast, playful, and completely unscripted, Beave It To Leaver is a joyful night of improv where the story keeps moving and the surprises never stop.

And at some point in the night… something special will be rolling through.

Students get in free and are invited to jam with the ensemble in "Pump Up the Jamz."

Open Run

An hour long comedy show featuring some of Annoyance Theatre’s best and funniest. Show Runner: Hails Reeves

6/11, 6/18, 7/9, + 7/11

Is there any greater joy than dancing your face off with your best friends? Absolutely not. Join Caroline, Tom, and Maryrose this summer to do exactly that. They’re back for their fourth sketch show at The Annoyance. Don’t miss it, come party with Cafe Lounge Underwater!

5/17

The late night staff at a local grilled cheese restaurant in Chicago allow their personal lives to run amuck in the workplace. A workplace sitcom pilot written by Chris Jowett. This one-night only reading is to present this pilot script to gauge the strength of the script and raise money to finance the making of the pilot.

4/27 - 6/1

Meet five different women named Betty: one rich, one lonely, one charismatic, one lovelorn, and one who keeps working on her truck. Oh, and one has decided to stage a production of that play-within-a-play by… that old English guy, what's his name? Ah, forget it.

In Jen Silverman’s unpredictable comedy Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties, five women collide at the intersection of rage, love, and the “thea-tah,” provoking each other to take a look in the mirror and face the person they didn’t know they could be.

5/6

DNA: Smokes A Cigarette is a heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled, hour-long variety sketch review that has audiences across America on the edge of their seats. Come see awkward movie dates, phone calls that make or break friendships, and a message that ties the whole thing together and blows it wide open. If you're lucky you may even win a free T-shirt. DNA: Smokes A Cigarette comes to The Annoyance Mainstage April 8th and 22nd!

5/2

Celebrate the fastest [and drunkest] two minutes in sports with Decadent and Depraved, a Derby sketch show.In a nation built on its stupid, decadent sporting traditions, the Derby is the stupidest and richest of them all. This is a loving roast of these lithe and temperamental four-legged equines, and all the hype surrounding them, their keynote event, the entire economy underpinning it. Oversized hats optional; mint juleps mandatory.

4/18

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!

1/2, 2/6. 3/6

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!

Open Run

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.

4/10, 5/8, 6/12

Fool’s Gold is a hybrid comedy show with the structure of a stand-up showcase. The first half features 3-5 minutes from the host, a 5 minute guest spot of a solo-sketch/character comedian (if one is available—if not, this time is given to the feature), a 10 minute feature act and then a 30 minute headliner. Immediately following the headliner is a 10-slot open-mic. Sign-ups follow the same format as Open Stage sign-ups (starting 15+ mins before curtains) except the list is posted on the host’s socials and displayed in-person outside of the room right after the host introduces the first booked performer. Each open-micer (stand-up, clown, character, etc.) can perform 3 minutes maximum: the only requirement is it must be a solo comedy act with no tech requirements. Open-micers will be played off at 3 minutes, their voice being drowned-out by music for toddlers.

Open Run

An improv jam with short form games similar to those seen on shows like Whose Line is it Anyway

5/30

Laura is back and older than ever. Join her as she looks back on her 29 years of life through stand-up comedy, music of all genres and self- deprecation.

After performing iterations of this show for the past four years, Laura is thrilled to be bringing her life back to the stage. Laura is a recent winner of Best Comedian (Non-Standup) from the Chicago Reader. She has been at The Annoyance, iO, The Second City, Zanies, The Laugh Factory and Lincoln Lodge. Steve Cochran also deemed her a "Comedian To Watch."

Come see stand up comedy and live music weaved together in a way that will make you wonder, "Was that really necessary?"

The show will also feature the blessing of world famous music director, Micky York. The sassiest stand-up in Chicago, Joe Nicastro, will open. What more could you ask for? Probably a lot- but that doesn't matter. Just come!

5/7, 6/4, 7/2, 8/6

Come join us as we explore different historic moments and blend together factual storytelling with creative and witty moments that were never documented. Each show will cover a different event that is researched and studied. We, then, take that information and improvise everything else that was lost to history.

Open Run

A Chicago based improv comedy show and drinking game based on the works of Alfred Hitchcock. Based on an audience suggestion, the cast weave together an intricate Hitchcock-like drama, while holding true to the amount of drinking shown in his movies. You'll barely be able to stand the suspense, and the cast will barely be able to stand.

Open Run

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.

5/12

Jamie Kilstein is an actor, comedian, podcaster, jiu-jitsu black belt, and the creator of Blue Belts, his first scripted television project which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize nominated for RIIFF. His feature script “Sad Like Us” was a finalist for the Sundance Labs in 2025. Known for his standup on Conan, Showtime, and the BBC, Jamie began his career performing in coffee houses before making his mark at major festivals worldwide. In his early career he was mentored by Robin Williams, who said of him, “Jamie is amazing- he has a spark that energizes my conscience.”

5/15

Jamie Kilstein is an actor, comedian, podcaster, jiu-jitsu black belt, and the creator of Blue Belts, his first scripted television project which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize nominated for RIIFF. His feature script “Sad Like Us” was a finalist for the Sundance Labs in 2025. Known for his standup on Conan, Showtime, and the BBC, Jamie began his career performing in coffee houses before making his mark at major festivals worldwide. In his early career he was mentored by Robin Williams, who said of him, “Jamie is amazing- he has a spark that energizes my conscience.”

5/13

Jamie Kilstein is an actor, comedian, podcaster, jiu-jitsu black belt, and the creator of Blue Belts, his first scripted television project which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize nominated for RIIFF. His feature script “Sad Like Us” was a finalist for the Sundance Labs in 2025. Known for his standup on Conan, Showtime, and the BBC, Jamie began his career performing in coffee houses before making his mark at major festivals worldwide. In his early career he was mentored by Robin Williams, who said of him, “Jamie is amazing- he has a spark that energizes my conscience.”

Open Run

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

5/21, 6/18, + 7/16

The world is crazy, but thankfully so are we! Join KEEPIN' TABS NEWS, a monthly news parody and political satire sketch show, as we break down today's headlines and resist the urge to break down, emotionally. Join us at the Annoyance Theatre on 1/22, 2/19, and 3/19 for your monthly dose of hard-hitting journalism mixed with side-splitting humor. There's too much happening in the world for you to keep track of it all, that's why we're here for you, keepin' an eye on the powers that be, keepin' you laughing through the turmoil, and KEEPIN' TABS! Featuring: Andie Nash, Ashley Bland, Baylor Barnes, Courtney Zelzany, Drake St. Pierre, Jessica Kung, John Doan, Mary Fiala, Mike Mazzella, Salman Lee, Sophia Fattore, Tiffany Chappell, and Xzavier Dean. Directed by: Johanna Medrano

SAT 4/25

Lipstick Lounge🫦 is your new monthly haven for 💥bold sapphics💥, 💃🏽alluring femmes💃🏽, and ✨magnetic thems✨ to connect, celebrate, and ignite something special TOGETHER. This is more than a party; it’s our space to be seen, desired, and truly at home in each other’s company!!! We’ll be fully taking over 📍The Annoyance Theater📍with TWO DJS, a tattoo parlor, tooth gems, drag, market, and even a place where you can play board games when you have a touch of the overstimmys 💓

⭐️Poster Design by the talented @javi.x.gutierrez ⭐️

❤️‍🔥And as always, Dama Productions is committed to creating a safe and celebratory space for our BIPOC, queer, and differently abled family.❤️‍🔥.
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Open Run

Missed Call is a premiere Chicago comedy group that writes and performs an entirely new sketch show every Friday.

5/21, 6/18, + 7/16

Come see Billionaire Billy Bangles and his crew of well-meaning stargazers attempt wild schemes to bring profitability to their piece of junk space cruiser. Sketch comedy, digital shorts, song and dance — free space cruise included.

5/6 - 5/20

Comedians and chosen ones: Abby Rankin and Max Balderston, enlighten audiences through a series of comedic sketches, music, and heartfelt truths about the universe. In the end, Abby, Max, and director Aidan Tappert, hope you walk away from this experience one hour older and wiser.

Open Run

Hosted by members of Tuesday Musical Improv, this free weekly jam allows anyone to try out musical improv on the Annoyance Mainstage. Sign-ups begin at 6:45--no experience necessary!

5/6 - 5/20

In an attempt to up their Wednesday night sales, Dayton, Ohio's 3rd most popular bowling alley has decided to run its first ever Open Mic Night. Overrun with sign ups, the owner of the venue decides to do the only logical thing: squeeze everyone in and give them all 2 minutes. Walt Braley and Andrew Shipman bring their rapid fire style of comedy to life in this character showcase featuring sketch, improv, special guests and costume changes...lots of costume changes.

Open Run

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!

4/29 + 5/27

“Paint & Pyro” is a fast-paced, 60 minute stand-up comedy showdown where five comics each perform a tight individual 5–6 minute set while the remaining comics paint live onstage, racing the clock and each other. When the brushes stop, the audience votes the best finished portrait and chooses the worst one to be dramatically burned in the alley, blending comedy, chaos, and creative destruction into one unforgettable spectacle.

3/12, 4/9, 5/16

Phat Dragon is a uniquely hilarious longform improv group originally founded in a college dorm room. Roommates Ian Toppall, Ben Levy, Josh Hoover, and Hunter Gill, would pack as many as 50 audience members every Wednesday night into a space that fire code said could only fit 12. After outgrowing their apartment, they now do weekly shows all over the city of Chicago. Phat Dragon combines a unique blend of charm, energy, and hospitality to make an hour of comedy you'll never forget!

Open Run

New forms. New Players. Big Laughs. Every week.

4/12 + 5/17

Semicolon Parenthesis is a sketch show with comedians Evelyn Mae and Connor Snow, two former Southerners from Kentucky & Texas respectively. Consisting of optimistically absurd relationship sketches, solo character monologues, offbeat improv shells, and the occasional song, this sketch show is less sketchy and more like a journey with good pals filled with whimsy and most importantly love.

5/17

Spitball is a new monthly sketch show presented by The Annoyance Sketch team, Shake the Baby. Every month the cast will produce a mix of digital and live sketches and showcase up and coming comedians and filmmakers.

VIDEO SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.gle/WsgMW8xZk5jzrkym7

Open Run

A night for Annoyance students to JAM!

5/8

Deep in the heart of a volcano, Crash Test Labs is hard at work creating the funniest sketch ever. Join Gus, David, Jonah, and their robot sidekick for an hour of outrageous laughs and non-stop fun. Featuring original songs, characters and the best alternative stand up comics in Chicago.

2/11 - 2/25 + 4/8 - 4/29

Ellen Dunn, Jess Wilson, Elaine Stewart, Shaina Stark, and Matthew Stiuso present their new form, The Insignificant Mile! Developed in the Annoyance Training Program, the form features improvisers scene painting based on audience suggestions, building out a strip mall that will become the central location for the show. Have you ever seen a shopping center with a five star restaurant, exotic pet store, and laser tag arcade? Well you’re about to, at the Insignificant Mile!

5/11

THE PRATTIC' is a grassroots comedy venue in Evanston, right outside of Chicago. Since our founding, over 100 individual comedians have performed at our weekly open mics. The Prattic FringeFest runs from May 7-11, with its culminating event at the Annoyance Theater featuring Matt Walsh of Veep, Bob's Burgers, and co-founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade. All proceeds will go to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

4/23 + 4/30

Did you miss them…? To What End? returns to The Annoyance with a brand new show! Featuring original sketch comedy & improv. Follow them on Instagram @towhatend and come see what the hype is all about.

5/7

It's a solo character showcase featuring the students of our latest class! Educating students on preparations for showcase performances, don't miss the next generation of character-based talent!

Open Run

Annoyance founder Mick Napier created the Trigger Happy form out of a desire to make improv look as slick and beautifully put together as a scripted show. Through a language invisible to the audience, the fully improvised show magically comes to life. There is truly nothing else like it. An Annoyance Signature Improv show.

Review: https://www.newcitystage.com/2015/01/31/review-trigger-happythe-annoyance-theatre/

Open Run

The Annoyance's very own musical ensembles. Every Tuesday at 8pm, two groups improvise brand new musicals based on audience suggestions. Featuring Musical Director Lisa McQueen and starring the Annoyance Musical Ensembles. Follow us on instagram: @tuesdaymusicalimprov

5/1, 5/22, + 5/29

Voila! The Improvised Musical unleashes a unique style of musical improvisation born in the heart of the Chicago comedy scene. This fearless cast spins sharp-witted scenework into showstopping numbers, keeping the melodic madness in perfect tempo. This show samples styles from your favorite musicals, neat and with a twist on the Great American Songbook.

Catch Voila! The Improvised Musical on the Annoyance Theatre Mainstage, Fridays May 1, 22, and 29th at 8pm!

Open Run

They take edibles. Then they improvise. There's a 'too-high' button, for when it gets too crazy.

4/2 - 4/30

How queer... From the minds that brought you the holiday sensation A Very Steamworks Christmas comes a new murder mystery! Tucked away in the mountains of Aspen, Colorado is the sleepy Hoggy Log Inn and Ski Resort, where there have been no murders... Until a rich daddy brings together his dearest friends (and enemies) for a big announcement.

Was it his sweet sugar baby? The jealous brother? The spoiled daughter? The bitter ex? In this farcical, chaotic, and very queer play, find out Who Slaughtered Daddy Dearest, written and directed by Noah Lanos and Connor James Hirsch.

Open Run

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!