Susan Messing, a NJ native and graduate of Northwestern University’s Theatre School, has been an improviser and comedian for  35 years-

She is an alumna of the iO Theatre, Second City’s Mainstage, and a founding member of Chicago’s infamous Annoyance Theatre. 

Susan created and taught her curriculum at iO Chicago, iO West in Hollywood, The Annoyance Theatre, The Second City, and around the world. Susan was an adjunct instructor for DePaul University and taught for The School at Steppenwolf, and currently teaches at the University of Chicago.

Her standup act with her puppet, Jolly, was featured at the HBO/US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, and on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and NBC’s Late Fridays, and her most impressive bit movie role was as a bad stripper in a halo brace in Let’s Go to Prison!

Since the pandemic began, Susan has shifted to teaching on zoom, and is restarting her drop in class for The Annoyance soon.

Recently, she  performed in Chicago’s World Comedy Expo and headlined the Baton Rouge Improv Festival with the brilliant John Lehr.

Every Friday night you can find her with her friends in ‘High Society’ on Twitch.

        “Improviser of the Year” – Chicago Improv Festival 
            “Best Improviser” – Chicago Reader
            “Funniest Woman in Chicago” – Chicago Magazine

Paul Vato

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