Improv Diplomacy

One of FIG’s core values is to “say yes” to opportunities for collaboration that come the group’s way, especially when people take the time, energy, and financial investment to travel to the subtropical island of Taiwan. This e-mail from the Improv Ambassador was a ripe guava that had been tossed directly into FIG’s playing field, specifically so that the group could apply their core values towards action. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*FYmg4ZWwQSQyTmBNvZW4oQ.jpeg" style="height:431px; width:700px" /> Seen here is a photo of Byron with the <a href="https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/info#about" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Pirates of Tokyo Bay</a>. “When I thought of the concept, the first person I called was <a href="https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/mike-staffa" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Mike Staffa</a> (top, third from the right), the founder of Pirates of Tokyo Bay. I’d met Mike on a trip to Japan in 2017 and since he’s a seasoned international performer I wanted to ask him if my idea was, you know, insane. His enthusiasm and advice was a tremendous boost and Japan was the obvious place to start. I was on stage with Mike in Tokyo a week after the restrictions were lifted.” After taking a look at the ambassador’s <a href="https://improvambassador.com/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>, FIG wasted no time in saying yes and accepting Byron with open arms as an itinerant member of the performance group, as well as part of the FIG improv ecosystem, inviting him to also lead one of the weekly Monday community workshops. As part of the backbone of what ties the group to the Taipei community, the workshops were a place for Byron to flex his facilitation muscles and test out new games, exercises and skills with a “say yes” crowd. <a href="https://jeffreyschwab-30696.medium.com/improv-diplomacy-b4eae51f0300">Click Here</a>