Audience Member to Pirate: My Improv Journey, That Could Be Yours

I’d always admired the spontaneity and quick wit of improv comedians, but I never thought I would have the opportunity try it myself on stage. Two year ago I heard about the Pirates of Tokyo Bay Improv group auditions at Tokyo Comedy Bar. The name alone was enough to pique my interest.

The audition was a whirlwind of games, challenges, and unexpected twists. We stumbled made a fools of ourselves and laughed as we did it. As the audition progressed, I began to relax and enjoy the chaos. The other auditionees were so supportive and encouraging, and the Pirates were patient and very funnyl.

Later that week I got the email. I was accepted into the Pirates of Tokyo Bay Bilingual  Improv Group. It was like joining a secret society of comedic misfits. We practiced together every week, honing our skills and building a strong bond. The group is a diverse mix of people from all walks of life, united by a shared love of laughter and improvisation.

One of my most memorable experiences was performing at the Manila Improv Festival where we had to create an entire improv scenes based on suggestion for an audience that was unklike those we see each month in Tokyo. It was a wild ride, and the audience loved it.

Being a member of the Pirates of Tokyo Bay has been a transformative experience. It has helped me to become more confident, creative, and spontaneous. It has also given me the opportunity to meet amazing people and make lifelong friends.

Now it’s your turn. If you're thinking about auditioning for the Pirates of Tokyo Bay Bilingual Improv Group, I encourage you to do it. It's a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience. You'll learn new skills, meet like-minded people, and discover hidden talents you never knew you had. So don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and join the crew.

Sign up for the October 6th auditions here: www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions

Pirates of Tokyo Bay return to the Manila Improv Festival

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Pirates of Tokyo Bay return to the Manila Improv Festival

Every two years, improv groups from around the world travel to Manila to perform in the Manila Improv Festival. The Pirates of Tokyo Bay have been lucky enough to attend the festival every time since 2013.

The festival is produced by Third World Improv (TWI). Set up in 2015 by Gabe Mercado and the members of the pioneering improv group SPIT, Third World Improv is the first school in the Philippines dedicated to teaching the art and craft of improvisational theater.. Third World Improv aims to produce improv practitioners who are authentic, innovative, culturally and socially relevant and a lot of fun.

The Ayala Malls Circuit Makati is hosting the 2023 Manila Improv Festival. The festival promises you the best of improvisational comedy with improv groups from all over the Philippines and the globe. Now on its 19th year, the audience can expect unscripted fun and laughter. Don’t miss these four days of improv performances, workshops, and exhibits at Asia’s biggest improv festival on September 7 to 10, 2023!

Our performance will be on Saturday, September 9th at 7:30pm on Stage A. Get your tickets at Ticket2Me and search for Show #9 (which is the show we will close out).

Below is a video from our 2019 performance in Manila to get you excited for our 2023 shows. See you in the Philippines!

❤️ Pirates

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One Small Step for Baby Pirate, One Giant Leap in Understanding Improv

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One Small Step for Baby Pirate, One Giant Leap in Understanding Improv

Newbie Cheryl has joined the Pirates’ Party in Vietnam! 🎉

I didn’t know what to expect when I auditioned for the Pirates of Tokyo Bay in 2022 October. I didn’t know I’d join a family of fun-loving people the following month.

Fast-forward to 2023 May. It’s the first international festival for the Pirates representing Japan after COVID. It’s my first international performance as an improviser. 

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This is the challenge I was looking for

The open auditions in October at Tokyo Comedy Bar didn’t feel like a “test”. It was a group of people who wanted to make each other laugh doing just that. The super supportive Pirates threw some of their biggest challenges at us and encouraged us to “Yes, and” and have fun. I left the audition laughing, and hoping the Pirates needed a pudgy middle-aged man in their group.

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