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Annoyance Summer Intensives Price $600 Duration 5 Days M-F Enroll NOTE: Registration is Non-Refundable Please be sure to r ead through our policies prior to registering. BACK About the Course: 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. The Annoyance Training Center's Summer Intensives are a two part course. Our ongoing improv classes meet for 20 hours over eight weeks. Summer Intensive 1 attempts to condense that information down to just six hours over one day. Summer intensive 2 will attempt to provide more of the information that was not able to be touched on while also covering some more advanced techniques and practices. Intensives will run daily from 10am-5pm with a 1 hour break for lunch. Each intensive (part 1 and part 2) also offer exclusive workshops 5-7pm each evening at no extra cost! There will be a showcase for each Summer Intensive class 6-7pm Friday night. Need a payment plan? Simply choose Payment Plan when signing up and you will be charged half the cost of the class now. The second payment (1/2 the cost of the class) will be auto-debited from the same payment method one week (seven days) before the start of the class. It's that simple! Note: Registration is Non-Refundable. Please be sure to read through our policies prior to registering. Instructors: Product Listing

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Musical Improv II Price $305 Duration 8 Weeks Enroll NOTE: Registration is Non-Refundable Please be sure to r ead through our policies prior to registering. BACK About the Course: Musical Improv II is an introduction to improvising a cohesive half-hour musical improv show. You'll learn how to play a protagonist, antagonist and every character in between. Learn several different forms (narrative and non-narrative), myriad song types and throw yourself into the perpetual challenge of 'ending the show as a group'. This class continues to explore the use of Annoyance Improv philosophy through the lens of musical improv. This class will culminate in a one-night-only Musical Improv class show. Prerequisite: Student must have completed Music Improv II. This class will culminate in an optional student showcase at The Annoyance on the final Sunday fo the term. Classes meet once a week on the same day each week, M-Thu 6:30-9pm and Sun 1-3:30pm Note: Registration is Non-Refundable. Please be sure to read through our policies prior to registering. Instructors: Jen Connor Product Listing Internships Available! Did you know that Annoyance offers internships in exchange for free classes? FIND OUT MORE Got an idea for a show? Whether your thing is improv, sketch, an original play, musical, or something else, The Annoyance is always accepting pitches for new shows. Show Application Info

AP6: Part 1-Sketch Review Price $320 Duration 8 Weeks (1 day/week, 3hrs) Enroll NOTE: Registration is Non-Refundable Please be sure to r ead through our policies prior to registering. BACK About the Course: AP6 is a two-part class, using improv to create written material. In part one (AP6/1), 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 Coed Prison Sluts , to more modern shows like Steamworks: The Musical and It's Christmas, Goddamnit! 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 Creating and adding musical aspects Theatre Roles Technical aspects of the theatre Students must have completed AP5 to take this class. This class will culminate in a 30 minute sketch revue written and performed by the class. Classes meet once a week on the same day each week, M-Thu 6:30-9:30pm and Sun 1-4pm Note: Registration is Non-Refundable. Please be sure to read through our policies prior to registering. Instructors: Johanna Medrano Product Listing Internships Available! Did you know that Annoyance offers internships in exchange for free classes? FIND OUT MORE Got an idea for a show? Whether your thing is improv, sketch, an original play, musical, or something else, The Annoyance is always accepting pitches for new shows. Show Application Info

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Annoyance Program Electives Workshops Intensives Class Make-ups Info & Policies Train at The Annoyance: The Annoyance provides excellent quality training in improvisation. Based on Artistic Director and Founder Mick Napier’s book Improvise. Scene From the Inside Out , the Annoyance philosophy focuses on the individual; giving students feedback and support to allow them to find and enhance their personal point of view and creative voice. 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 teachers are ensemble members who have learned and performed with The Annoyance, and thus have first hand experience with the way we approach improvisation. The Annoyance Program The Annoyance Program: Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Electives Electives: Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Workshops Workshops: Golden Girls Marsha Posner Script to Screen: TV Production Workshop 1 Day Marsha Posner, producer of The Golden Girls, will be teaching a workshop at the Annoyance on analyzing comedy scripts and punching them up from the perspective of a producer of one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Pre-Requisites: None Wed 5/22 6:30pm Playfulness and Presence 2 Days In this two-day workshop, we will explore how playing physical games can be a motor for having fun and generating playfulness and presence on stage. Pre-Requisites: None Sat 5/25 & Sun 5/26 12-4pm Intensives Summer Intensives: 5-day course - 6 hours per day 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. ​ "This whole week got me doing things that I've never done and loving improv again like I never have before." "It was a really wonderful experience and it was engaging from Monday through Friday. Everyone was really friendly and made us feel welcome" "That theater is a special place... Every instructor was mind-blowing in their own way and really helped my approach to improv." Annoyance Summer Intensives 5 Days Annoyance Summer Intensives cover the Annoyance Training program levels 1-5 Pre-Requisites: None May - August 2024 TOP Class Make-Ups Class Make-ups: Click on the link below that corresponds to your class level, in order to sign-up for a make-up class ​ ​ Sub/make-up classes are not available for AP5, AP6-1, AP6-2, or electives ​ AP1 Makeup Signup AP2 Makeup Signup AP3 Makeup Signup AP4 Makeup Signup Student Info & Policies: Getting Here CTA The Annoyance is conveniently located about half a block east of the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple Line CTA stop. The Belmont station is fully accessible, but you'll want to check for elevator alerts ahead of time as they sometimes are not in service. We're also steps away from the 77 Belmont bus route as well as the 22 Clark bus. The nearest stops for both routes are at Belmont & Clark. DRIVING Lake Shore Drive is about half a mile east of us, and we're centrally located between quite a number of bigger streets (Clark, Ashland, and Broadway) so getting here via car is a breeze. We'll be honest, parking can be a bit tough around here at times. You may have to scope out some smaller neighborhood streets for a spot, but there is public parking on Belmont as well. If you do park on Belmont, be sure to pay at one of the pay stations! The Chicago Parking Authority does not mess around. BIKING For the love of God, wear a helmet. ADDRESS 851 W Belmont Ave, 2nd Floor Chicago, IL 60657 Bar HOURS OF OPERATION Sundays - Wednesdays: 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM Thursdays - Fridays: 6:30 PM - 2:00 AM Saturdays - 6:30 PM - 3:00 AM BAR INFO We have a wide range of drinks available, including a variety of beers on tap. We also have non-alcoholic drinks for those who are underage or don't partake. Our bar manager, Pete, and friendly bar staff can set you up with whatever you're thirsty for. Plus if you're hungry, we've got a variety of prepackaged snacks! Tickets and Box Office You can purchase tickets online ahead of time, as well as at our box office prior to the show. Our box office is located in the bar on the second floor to the right of the door, and just outside our 2nd floor elevator. Check in here to pick up your tickets and purchase Annoyance merch and books on improvisation and comedy. (Our founder, Mick, wrote a great book called Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out that's basically required reading for anyone who's into improv). We accept both cash and card; also please note that there is a small convenience fee on ticket purchases. The box office opens at 6:30 PM every night. The minimum age requirement is 14. Please be aware that there is likely to be 'blue' language and adult content. Safety Protocols We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who steps through our doors, so we've put some protocols in place in accordance with public health recommendations. VAX/MASKS We no longer require proof of vaccination or masks; we will continue to follow the Illinois Dept. of Health recommendations. SANITIZATION The Annoyance has protocols in place to ensure that all surfaces are thoroughly sanitized in between shows and at the end of the night. We have hand sanitizer located throughout the theatre for your use. In all our classrooms, we have air purifiers. EXPOSURE Risk of exposure to COVID-19 is possible in any public space. When you're here, we ask that you keep this in mind and be as safe as possible for yourself and others. If you aren't feeling well, are exhibiting symptoms, or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days, we ask that you stay home and come back when you're feeling better. If you test positive in the days following your visit, please notify theatre management. Accessibility The Annoyance is accessible to all with an elevator as well as accessible seating options. There is a ramp onto our Mainstage for performers and guest artists, and our dressing rooms, studios, and bathrooms are fully accessible as well. We strive to make our theatre a place for everyone, so if there's something you need, please let us know. Please note that many of our Mainstage productions may have lights and sounds that may affect those with light and auditory sensitivity. Let us know if this is something that affects you and we will let you know if the show you are interested in seeing is one of those. Performance Policies We have some policies in place to ensure that we can provide a fun, enjoyable theatre experience for everyone. VIDEO RECORDING & PHOTOGRAPHY Please don't record the show or take pictures during it. It's super distracting to your fellow audience members as well as the performers giving their all on stage. Enjoy the experience of live performance and save your sick video and photography skills for after the show. If you'd like to see photos and videos from the shows, you can check us out on social media and our online channels. THEATRE ETIQUETTE Please turn off your cell phone and don't talk during the shows. No one wants to hear your ringtone (even if it's a banger). The performance is on stage - not in the audience. As is typical in improv, we often ask the audience for suggestions, but we ask that you don't randomly shout out things when not asked. We also request that you don't shout out racist, homophobic, or ableist suggestions. We won't take them and you'll definitely get called out by the performers. Spare yourself the embarrassment. SNEAKIN' IN Just... don't do it. We're pretty laid back, but we will remove you from the show if you sneak in. This behavior is extremely disrespectful to both the performers as well as the community we've worked tirelessly to create. HARASSMENT, BULLYING, & DISCRIMINATION We do not tolerate harassment of any kind, whether directed towards our performers, our staff, or our audiences. Any kind of harassment, bullying, or discrimination will get you kicked out. The Annoyance is a safe place for all people, except assholes. SHOW ADVISORIES Our work is uncensored and we do not actively offer advisories about subject matter as each person's sensitivities vary. If you have questions about content, age-appropriateness or other issues, please reach out to us via email or talk to a member of our staff at the theatre. Assume that the show you're going to see is only for mature audiences. Apart from our shows specifically for young audiences, we ask that you leave kids under the age of 14 at home. PHOTO & RECORDING DISCLAIMER Please know that when you are at The Annoyance, you or members of your party may be photographed or recorded by an employee for Annoyance publicity purposes as well as on our security cameras. Your attendance indicates that you are giving us permission to use your image in our media and publicity as well as on our website. Info & Policies

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Advanced Improv w/ Mick Napier Price $325 Duration 6 Weeks (1 day/week, 2 hrs) Enroll NOTE: Registration is Non-Refundable Please be sure to r ead through our policies prior to registering. BACK About the Course: 6-week course - 1 day/week - Thursdays 5-7pm ADVANCED IMPROV uses intense individual feedback to help students develop their comic voice. Students are pushed to challenge their improvisation by making surprising and unexpected choices, always maintaining their strong point of view. Students work towards stage-ready, performance-worthy improvisation. This six week class is taught by Artistic Director and Annoyance Founder, Mick Napier. Note: Registration is Non-Refundable. Please be sure to read through our policies prior to registering. Instructors: Mick Napier Product Listing Internships Available! Did you know that Annoyance offers internships in exchange for free classes? FIND OUT MORE Got an idea for a show? Whether your thing is improv, sketch, an original play, musical, or something else, The Annoyance is always accepting pitches for new shows. Show Application Info