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Mick Napier

1962-present · Chicago, IL

Founder of The Annoyance Theatre, director of a dozen Second City mainstage revues, and author of the most-read dissent against 'yes-and' orthodoxy (Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out).

Known for

Founded The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago in 1987 (formalized 1989).
Directed over 10 Second City mainstage revues, including Paradigm Lost (Joseph Jefferson Award).
Wrote Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out (2004) and Behind the Scenes (2016) — the Annoyance counterweight to Truth in Comedy.
Directed Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Nia Vardalos, Andy Richter, Jeff Garlin, David Sedaris.
Philosophy: 'take care of yourself first' instead of reflexive 'yes-and.'

Connected to

People

Del Close Susan Messing Stephen Colbert Amy Sedaris

Schools & Theaters

annoyance theatreThe Second City (Chicago)

Concepts

Yes, Andtake care of yourself first

Sources

Referenced by

People

Amy Sedaris Andy Richter Jules Munns Stephen Colbert Susan Messing

Games

Annoyance Two-Person Scene

Concepts

Avoid Premises (Annoyance Critique)Bring a Brick, Not a Cathedral Commitment React Honestly (Over Rules)Take Care of Yourself The Annoyance School (Napier Anti-Rules)

Forms

JTS Brown Trigger Happy

Schools & Theaters

The Annoyance Theatre

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