I’M ON A QUEST TO PERFORM AN IMPROV COMEDY SHOW IN EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

Hi, I’m Byron, a touring comedian from Los Angeles, and yes, I’m actually trying to complete this seemingly impossible mission. I love comedy and I love traveling. For the last 12 years I’ve been able to mix the two by doing improv shows across the United States. It’s been an incredible journey, with lifelong friendships forged and unforgettable moments created, but now I’m ready to take it international. One small problem: You can’t do improv by yourself. For my shows in the states I always have at least one partner, a fellow improv professional sharing chemistry which translates into laughs on stage. For this new venture, I’m alone. This is part of the fun. If I was doing standup, I’d get on stage for 20 minutes by myself, then leave. To accomplish my worldwide improv goal I’ll need to find locals in every country who either know what improv is or are willing to learn. It will take a level of immersion in unfamiliar places that goes way beyond taking a selfie at the top three attractions on TripAdvisor (though I plan to do that too). The great thing about improv is that it can be performed anywhere, from London’s Old Vic theater in front of 1,000 people and the Queen (I’ve performed for more) to a Cambodian fishing village for an audience of four (I’ve done shows for less). Will it be hard? Yes. Am I crazy for trying? Probably. Is it going to be an incredibly fun once in a lifetime adventure? Absolutely. Welcome to the ride.

Cu Chi, Vietnam
Versailles, France
COUNTRIES
PERFORMED IN
20 start_icon
STATES
PERFORMED IN
48 start_icon
TIKTOK
VIEWS
7.7+M start_icon
CASTLES
VISITED
Like a million? start_icon
DRONES
LOST
3 start_icon
THRONES
LOCATIONS
CONQUERED
12 start_icon
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Marina Bay, Singapore

TRAVEL STYLE

I travel using the improv tenets I’ve learned over the years. They help me take on any challenge that comes my way and maximizes my experiences in foreign places I may never visit again. The first and most important thing I do: SAY YES. Saying no is easy, it keeps me in my comfort zone, which is especially enticing when far from home. Saying yes is harder, but much more rewarding. Try that strange new food? Yes! Cross that scary bridge? Yes! Meet people even though we may not share a language? Yes! In a show or while traveling, something unexpected ALWAYS happens. Instead of hanging on to what I expected or was hoping to happen, I embrace the new and make the most of it. Which brings me to my next improv tenet: Baggage. Leave it behind! In improv, that means leaving whatever is happening off stage behind and remaining completely in the moment on stage. While that mentality obviously applies to traveling as well, I interpret it in a more literal sense…I pack light. On this adventure around the world I have only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. Less baggage means the flexibility to go wherever the journey takes me. Lastly, I don’t forget the audience. I would love if you could somehow attend every show I perform in every country along the way. Unfortunately teleportation is still just a dream and watching live streaming improv will always be a nightmare. But this adventure doesn’t just take place on stage. When I’m in a new place I’ll share the coolest things I find through YouTube videos, Instagram stories, my podcast, and the latest viral sound trend on TikTok. Also, if Game of Thrones was filmed anywhere near where I’m visiting, I will recreate scenes shot for shot. Sounds fun, right? Yes!

MY TRAVEL GEAR

EVEN MORE INFO!

  • Touring improviser For 13+ Years.
  • Traveled to 47 countries and 57 states.
  • Five-time winner of the Westside Comedy Theater House Team Improv Tournament.
  • 2014 C.A. Magazine “Comedy Act of the Year” with Mission Improvable.
  • 2013 C.A. Magazine “Entertainers of the Year” with Mission Improvable.
  • Performed at U.S. Navy bases around the world.
  • Accidentally did improv with Sir Ian McKellan on a London stage.
Bali, Indonesia