Mick Napier

Mick Napier is the founder and artistic director of the acclaimed Annoyance Theatre in Chicago,where he has spent over three decades developing an innovative approach to comedy and improvisation that has been both celebrated and widely imitated.

As Director and Artistic Consultant for The Second City, Napier has directed more than fifteen revues, including the landmark 40th and 50th Anniversary productions and Paradigm Lost—featuring Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Scott Adsit. He has also directed such notable people including Martin Short, Jeff Garlin, Stephen Colbert, Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer, and Amy Sedaris

At the Annoyance, Napier directed Co-ed Prison Sluts, which became the longest-running musical in Chicago history. Other notable productions include Splatter Theater,That Darn Antichrist,and Swear Jar.

Napier is the author of two influential books on improvisation. His first book,Improvise:Scene from the Inside Out,is widely regarded as essential reading for improvisers. This book has a foreword by Stephen Colbert. His second book, Behind the Scenes: Improvising Long Form, is forwarded by Bob Odenkirk,and explores long form improvisation.