Johnathan Sherr, Chris Wells, Donna Burke
We’ve performed at special events for clients such as Nokia, Coca-cola, and Deutche Bank, and have brought our show to the Tokyo American Club, Yokohama Country Club and the Australian, Canadian and British Embassies.
We can tailor an improv show for any occasion, meeting with organizers in advance to discuss the format and structure to create a fully customized event with a variety of scenes and musical numbers. Shows range in length from 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes and feature from three to six improvisors and a pianist. We did a musical about some engineers creating the best mobile phone ever for Nokia, and gently spoofed a long-running debate among Yokohama Club members over clay versus grass tennis courts. We always present our hosts in a positive light, and keep everything PG because we feel cussing isn’t the smart way to get people to laugh. Prices start at ¥200,000 yen and vary according to event type, length, and location.
Who are our peformers? Actors, singers and narrators who’ve found themselves in Tokyo and make a living working for NHK International, TBS, Tokyo TV, and various corporate clients. You’ve seen some of them on TV and in Japanese movies, and heard their voices on the Shinkansen or inflight programs on JAL, and in Tokyo Tower, and yes, this is our day job.
Johnathan Sherr, Donna Burke
Also, TCS conducts team-building and creativity workshops your employees won’t soon forget. Clients for our classes and corporate training have included Nikko Shoken, Citibank, Yamaha Music, International Christian University MBA program, and Eiko Seminar.
We not only show how skills such as active listening, positivity and truly engaging in other’s ideas can boost meetings and discussions- we also engage participants in activities that bring our points home in a way that is unforgettable and extremely engaging. This isn’t just tired “trust exercises”, but a careful combination of instruction and activity designed to break through to even the most “too-busy-can’t-focus” person.
Tokyo Comedy Store
Team-building is a natural by-product of these workshops, and we’ve been brought in to facilitate the merger of two companies through joint workshops with the whole team. This involved two facilitators and 50+ participants.
We’ve also been brought in to do role-playing as interviewees for interview-technique training. Our actors are quick on their feet and can allow your managers to test their skills before actually interviewing and hiring new employees.
English or Spanish workshops are led by TCS Director, Chris Wells, who has a BA in Psychology and 20 years experience leading group workshops ranging from psycho-educational to improvisation. Japanese workshops are led by TCSj Director Jun Imai, author of four seminal books on improvisation and acting in Japanese, and Japan’s foremost expert on improvisation. For mixed workshops of locals and gaijin conducted in either English or Japanese, the instructors are both bilingual and can supplement instructions with explanations in the other language.
Workshops are for a minimum of two-hours and begin at ¥60,000 for ten participants and increases with the number attending. We’ll be moving around, and so require an open space in which to work. Larger workshops, and we’ve done them for groups of 70, require a sound-system and pin mike for the instructor. We’re experienced at working with groups of all sizes. Price does not include rental of a studio space if required.
Donna Burke, Chris Wells
Donna Burke, Johnathan Sherr, Bob Werley, Chris Wells
