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

Laughing Out Loud: The Benefits of Practicing Improv at the Tokyo Comedy Bar

Improv comedy is a unique and dynamic form of entertainment that requires quick thinking, creativity, and a supportive environment to thrive. That's why finding the right practice space is crucial for us. To keep up improv skills sharp, we need to practice regularly. If we aren’t performing in Tokyo or touring international, we are probably practicing. Luckily, there is one place in Tokyo that provides everything an improv performer needs to hone their craft and bring their comedic talents to life.

Marshmallows and improv. A perfect match 😂

Located in the heart of Shibuya in Tokyo, the Tokyo Comedy Bar is an amazing practice space and a hub of creative energy, where performers from all walks of life gather each week to perfect their craft. With its cozy stage and supportive atmosphere, this practice space provides the perfect environment for improvisers to experiment, collaborate, and most importantly, have fun. The craft beer at the bar after practice is great too!

One of the best things about this practice space is the sense of community it fosters. Improv is a collaborative art form, and the atmosphere at this space encourages performers to work together and support one another. Whether you’re a seasoned member of the Pirates or just starting out, everyone is welcoming and eager to share their skills and experience with each other.

In conclusion, the Tokyo Comedy Bar has been a great place for us to practice and be even more involved with the comedy community in Tokyo. If you are unable to make one of our monthly bilingual improv comedy shows in Ebisu, be sure to check out what is going on at the Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya.

Get tickets to one of our shows: www.piratesoftokyobay.com/tickets

Tokyo’s only English and Japanese Bilingual Improv Comedy Group Holding Auditions on October 2 in Shibuya

Press Release

Tokyo’s only English and Japanese Bilingual Improv Comedy Group Holding Auditions on October 2 in Shibuya
First Auditions Since 2018

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay (Tokyo, Leader: Mike Staffa, “Pirates”), will hold auditions on October 2, 2022 in Shibuya. The Pirates of Tokyo Bay was founded in 2009 and the Pirates of the Dotombori (Osaka) was founded in 2005.

The Pirates are known for their high energy shows that are performed in both English and Japanese. We are looking for new members to join us. No experience is necessary and you do not need to be bilingual to audition. If you have ever wanted to make hundreds of people laugh, join us!

Please see www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions for details and signup.

The Pirates’ monthly shows feature our members from many different countries and backgrounds. The show is performed in both English and Japanese and with the Pirates unique talent, we make it easy for everyone to understand and have fun.
The Pirates are excited to meet new people in our search for new members!

Audition Details:

Details: www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions
Date/Time: Sunday, October 2, 2022 4:30pm 
Place: Shibuya at the Tokyo Comedy Bar
Sign Up: www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions

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About the Pirates of Tokyo Bay:

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay is an improvisational group performing in English and Japanese. Our shows are different every time we perform as we create and personalize each show based on audience suggestions. The Pirates are helping lead this movement through extensive work with clients like the US Embassy, ConnectUSA, Gengo, BizReach, the Japan Foundation and the Australian Society of Tokyo.
For more info: www.piratesoftokyobay.com

Come see our monthly shows: www.piratesoftokyobay.com/tickets

Tokyo’s only English and Japanese Bilingual Improv Comedy Group will perform after a two and a half year hiatus on Sunday, July 24 in Ebisu

Press Release

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay (Tokyo, Leader: Mike Staffa, “Pirates”), will reprise their Japanese and English bilingual improv show after a two and a half year hiatus on Sunday, July 24 in Ebisu. The Pirates are Tokyo’s only English and Japanese improv group. The Pirates of Tokyo Bay was founded in 2009 and the Pirates of the Dotombori (Osaka) was founded in 2005.

The Pirates’ monthly shows feature our members from many different countries and backgrounds. The show is performed in both English and Japanese and with the Pirates unique talent, we make it easy for everyone to understand and have fun.

Shows are at What the Dickens! (Shibuya, Tokyo http://www.whatthedickens.jp/) in Ebisu, where you can get food and drinks to enjoy with the comedy. (One drink is included with each 2000 yen ticket.)

The Pirates are looking forward to being back on stage, live and in person, in Ebisu after two and a half years!

Show Details:
Tickets: www.piratesoftokyobay.com/tickets

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay are putting on a bilingual show in Ebisu at "What the Dickens"! The Pirates of Tokyo Bay are a short-form improv comedy group in Kanto. We do comedy similar to "Whose Line is it Anyway?" This show will be in both English and Japanese, so there's something for everyone!

📅 Sunday, July 24th
🕖 7:00pm doors
🕢 7:30pm START
🎟️ ¥2,000 gets you in and ONE FREE DRINK!!
🥘 Food available!
🏢 What the Dickens (Ebisu)
4F Roob 6 Bldg, 1-13-3 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0021

All tickets come with one drink.
You may cancel your ticket(s) up to one week before the event. Contact us to have your tickets canceled.
We ask you wear masks at all times except when eating or drinking.

About the Pirates of Tokyo Bay:
The Pirates of Tokyo Bay is an improvisational group performing in English and Japanese. Our shows are different every time we perform as we create and personalize each show based on audience suggestions. The Pirates are helping lead this movement through extensive work with clients like the US Embassy, ConnectUSA, Gengo, BizReach, the Japan Foundation and the Australian Society of Tokyo.

For more info: www.piratesoftokyobay.com

Interested in joining the Pirates? Info here: https://www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions

ギフト券の販売を開始しました！ / We now sell gift cards!

私たちの舞台公演での安全対策の一つとして、電子ギフト券を販売することにしました。自分用または友達にこちらのギフト券をプレゼントすることで、今後の公演にお越しの際に入場券としてご利用いただけるようになります。ご購入はこちらから。piratesoftokyobay.com/giftcard　また、現金を扱いたくないお客様にも対応できるよう決済端末をSquare（スクエア）から導入しました。

舞台公演に向けての安全対策について詳しく知りたい方は、こちらをお読みください。piratesoftokyobay.com/covid19-response

もし何らかの理由で今後の公演にお越しいただけない場合でも、こちらのリンクから寄付をご検討いただけますと幸いです。piratesoftokyobay.com/donate

今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
パイレーツ・オブ・東京湾

As we take more and more steps to increase our safety measures at our shows, one way we are doing this is by selling electronic gift cards. You can buy a gift card for yourself or a a friend to redeem at a future Pirates show. Get them here piratesoftokyobay.com/giftcard. We also purchased a credit card reader from Square to use at shows to accommodate audience members who do not want to handle cash. 

If you want to read more about the safety measures we are taking for our live shows, you can read them here piratesoftokyobay.com/covid19-response

Lastly, if you are unable to attend a future show for any reason but still want to support the Pirates, you can always give a small donation to the group. Visit piratesoftokyobay.com/donate to donate. 

Thank you!
Pirates ❤️☠️

Joining the Tokyo Weekender "TW Together Instagram Live Lockdown Party" Lineup

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay are excited to a part of the Tokyo Weekender’s online event on Friday, May 22nd.

TW Together Instagram Live Lockdown Party

As part of the TW Together campaign, which connects businesses and people in Japan, the TW Together Instagram Live Lockdown Party will be held on Friday, May 22, from 7pm (Tokyo time). Just head to the Tokyo Weekender’s  Instagram page to watch inspired performances by some of our favorite people, including pop trio Three1989, DJ and producer Risa Taniguchi and improv comedy troupe Pirates of Tokyo Bay.

POTBプレゼンツ: サンデーナイトライブ! / Pirates Live!

舞台で披露していた即興コメディをネットからお届け！自宅で快適に過ごしながら安心して楽しめる台本なしのお笑いライブ！配信はここから、お題は @piratestokyo（ツイッターとインスタ）から募集しています！

An improv comedy show that you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of your own home! The live show will stream here, but suggestions will be taken from our Instagram account. Follow us @piratestokyo ❤️☠️

➡️ www.piratesoftokyobay.com/live

2019 A Pirates Year in Review / POTB２０１９年を振り返って

We had a great year!

2019 is almost over and before we look forward to 2020, we want to look back on what a busy year it was for the Pirates. 2019 was our year to travel all over the world to bring our style of fun, energy and improvised comedy to fans new and old.

2019 by the numbers:
1802: Tickets sold to a Pirates event
15: Shows featuring Pirates (11 in Tokyo, 4 overseas)
4: Countries visited by Pirates (Japan, Singapore, Philippines, India)

We hope everyone has a great end of the year and is ready for an amazing 2020. We have some big things planned for 2020 and we hope you all will be there to cheer us on. We will be there to perform for you and make you laugh!

素晴らしい年でした！

今年もあとわずかとなりましたが、ここで今年の活動を振り返ってみたいと思います。前年に引き続き今年も海外公演を含むたくさんのことをしてまいりました。新しいお客様そして今までのお客様に私たちの即興スタイルを披露いたしました。

チケット枚数売り上げ：計１８０２枚
公演回数：計１５（東京１１回／海外４回）
公演した国：計４か国（日本、シンガポール、フィリピン、インド）

それでは、皆さま良いお年をお過ごしください。そして来年もさらにパワーアップして皆さまに笑いを届けたいと思います！

愛をこめて by パイレーツ

パイレーツ忘年会 🎉 From our family to yours, wishing you a happy end to 2019!

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 PETA Theater Center is hosting the 2019 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 5th year, the audience can expect unscripted fun and laughter. Don’t miss these five days of improv performances, workshops, and exhibits at Asia’s biggest improv festival on March 27 to 31, 2019!

Our performances will be on Friday, March 29th and Saturday, March 30th at 8pm on the Viola Spolin stage. Get your tickets at Ticket2Me and search “MIF”.

Below is a (shaky) video from our 2017 performance in Manila to get you excited for our 2019 shows. See you in the Philippines!

❤️ Pirates

１１月２５日（日曜日）は平成最後の記念公演 ／ バイリンガール英会話

「即興コメディ／即興演劇」という台本のないパフォーマンスを日本語と英語で披露している私たちはもうすぐ劇団創立８周年目を迎えます。月一で開催される恵比寿公演では、お題を基にショートコントやストーリー、そして歌まで歌い上げます。時には、日本語と英語だけでなくデタラメ語や身振り手振りなどのジェスチャーも加わり、より多くのお客様に伝わりやすくしています。公演自体が、日本語と英語の２言語で披露されているグループは関東では私たちのみ、さらに台本のない「即興」パフォーマンスを身近で観られるとくればもう見逃すわけにはいかないはずです。即興だからこそ語られるストーリー、堅苦しくない自由でリアルな表現、そして２つの言語が全く違うからこそ生まれてくるアイデア。そんなことを楽しみながら、お客様は私たちの公演を観に来てくれます。今年最後の即興ライブ、そして「平成最後の記念公演」は１１月２５日（日曜日・恵比寿）、お待ちしています！前売りチケットはこちらから！https://potb8.peatix.com/

YouTuber・”バイリンガール”ことチカさんに私たちがお会いしてから５年以上が経ちますが、その間に何回かタッグを組むこともありました。一番最近では、「HELP me TRAVEL」発売記念イベントのお手伝いとしてアクティビティに参加してきたことです。この日は、海外で起こり得るシチュエーションをちか友のみなさんとロールプレイング。ちか友みなさんの挑戦していく姿に、私たちも刺激を受けました。今後も何らかの形でチカさんとコラボすることがあるかもしれません。その時はまたお知らせします。「HELP me TRAVEL」はこちらから要チェック http://www.j-n.co.jp/books/?goods_code=978-4-408-33814-9！

Pirates of Tokyo Bay announce sponsorship of SMASH CABARET

Photo by: Sho Takiguchi

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay are excited to announce our support and sponsorship of SMASH CABARET. They put on amazing music-focused shows and we are happy to support their growth. Our sponsorship is more than just financial support, when needed, we will offer our advice and support so they can continue to put on amazing shows for audiences across Tokyo.

The Pirates have come a long way in just 8 years in Tokyo. 175 shows, 16 international tours to 10 countries. We pride ourselves on putting on top quality shows and events. It is a similar drive for quality production that drew our eye to SMASH CABARET. In addition, the mission statement of the Pirates is: To get everyone, regardless of their native language, to laugh! We feel the musical performances at SMASH CABARET align with our mission statement in that everyone in the audience, Japanese or foreigner, can enjoy the music sung so beautifully by the performers at SMASH CABARET.

We encourage everyone to check out SMASH CABARET at their website: https://smashcabaret.com/ and you never know, you might catch a member of the Pirates performing at a show, or even the entire Pirates group joining to sing an improvised song!

Photo by: Sho Takiguchi

今アジアで最もエネルギッシュなグループと一緒にステージに立ってみませんか。 Audition and join Asia’s most traveled improv group

東京を拠点にする日本語&英語の即興グループであるパイレーツ・オブ・東京湾が今年もオーディションをすることになりました。私たちは恵比寿の毎月公演に加えて、シンガポール、マニラ、クアラルンプール、北京、ハワイ、ニューヨーク、など海外公演もしています。

私たちは日本語と英語を自由自在に操り、エネルギッシュなパフォーマンスを見せることで知られています。そんなグループに入ってみたいという方をオーディションでは探しているので、興味のある方はぜひご応募ください！経験不問、そしてバイリンガルである必要は全くございません！たくさんのお客様を笑わせたい方はこの機会をお見逃しなく！

オーディション日時は５月１３日（日曜日）。場所は新宿です。詳しくはこちらから、www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions

POTBより

The Pirates of Tokyo Bay, a bilingual improv comedy group based in Tokyo, is having open auditions for new members. The group tours regularly (Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Hawaii, NYC, Germany, and more) and performs monthly in Tokyo.

The Pirates are known for their high energy shows that are performed in both English and Japanese. We are looking for new members to join us. No experience in necessary and you do not need to be bilingual to audition. If you have ever wanted to make hundreds of people laugh, join us!

Auditions will be on Sunday, May 13th in Shinjuku. Visit www.piratesoftokyobay.com/auditions for more info and sign up to audition.

♡ Pirates

2017 A Pirates Year in Review / POTB２０１７年を振り返って

2017 is almost over and before we look forward to 2018, we want to look back on what a busy year it was for the Pirates. 2017 was our year to travel all over the world to bring our style of fun, energy and improvised comedy to fans new and old.

2017 by the numbers: 

• 2513: Tickets sold to a Pirates event
• 26: Shows featuring Pirates (11 in Tokyo, 15 overseas)
• 6: Countries performed in by Pirates (Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, USA, Germany)
• 1: New Pirate: Tomoyoshi Noguchi
• 1: Android app released (to join our iOS app) www.piratesoftokyobay.com/app

We hope everyone has a great end of the year and is ready for an amazing 2018. We have some big things planned for 2018 and we hope you all will be there to cheer us on. We will be there to perform for you and make you laugh!

♡ Pirates

今年もあとわずかとなりましたが、ここで今年の活動を振り返ってみたいと思います。前年に引き続き今年も海外公演を含むたくさんのことをしてまいりました。新しいお客様そして今までのお客様に私たちの即興スタイルを披露いたしました。

• チケット枚数売り上げ：計２５１３枚
• 公演回数：計２６（東京１１回／海外２５回）
• 公演した国：計６か国（日本、シンガポール、フィリピン、マレーシア、アメリカ、ドイツ）
• 新メンバー：計１人（ノグチトモヨシ）
• アプリリリース：計１個（アンドロイドとiOS用）www.piratesoftokyobay.com/app

それでは、皆さま良いお年をお過ごしください。そして来年もさらにパワーアップして皆さまに笑いを届けたいと思います！

愛をこめて by パイレーツ