# Miyo the Storyteller

> Miyo Yamauchi is a Japanese-born storyteller, comedian, and solo performer based in Los Angeles. She blends humor, cultural observation, and personal narrative to explore identity, belonging, and the collision between Japanese and American norms. A Moth StorySLAM Champion, Ojai Storytelling Festival Story Slam winner (2025), and creator of two sold-out solo shows, she performs regularly across LA and has entertained audiences globally. By day, she works as a computer programmer.

## Key Pages

- [Home](https://miyo.net/): Overview, upcoming shows, recent blog posts, and mailing list signup.
- [About](https://miyo.net/about/): Miyo's backstory — from moving to the US in 2004, to Toastmasters, to StoryMasters, to comedy in 2022.
- [How To Be Japanese](https://miyo.net/how-to-be-japanese/): Her first solo show. A humorous, personal exploration of cultural identity and what it means to be an outsider. Sold out at Hollywood Fringe within 48 hours. Featured by San Diego Union-Tribune, KPBS, and the Moth LA StorySLAM Showcase.
- [How To Die In Japan](https://miyo.net/how-to-die-in-japan/): Her second solo show. A multimedia storytelling and comedy performance about Japanese funeral customs, family dynamics, and grief. Features live musical accompaniment by composer Michael D. Mortilla. First run sold out within 36 hours.
- [Storytelling](https://miyo.net/storytelling/): Overview of her storytelling work and venues.
- [Comedy](https://miyo.net/comedy/): Overview of her stand-up and comedy work.
- [Brain Bites](https://miyo.net/storytelling-stub/): Blog focused on storytelling craft, resources, and practical tips.
- [Tsubuyaki](https://miyo.net/tsubuyaki/): Personal blog — reflections on comedy, performance, and daily observations. ("Tsubuyaki" means mumbling in Japanese.)
- [Shows](https://miyo.net/shows/): Full list of upcoming and past appearances.
- [Shop](https://shop.miyo.net): Merchandise including T-shirts and mugs featuring original characters Kappy & Q (kappa creatures from Japanese folklore).
- [Contact](https://miyo.net/contact/): Booking inquiries and general contact.

## Solo Shows

### How To Be Japanese
A one-woman storytelling show about growing up in Japan, moving to the US, navigating language and culture, and questioning what "normal" really means. Genre: storytelling, humorous. Rated general audiences. Directed by Jane Morris. First Hollywood Fringe run sold out in 48 hours. Featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune, KPBS, Shaw TV, and Spice Radio. Story "Grandma's Tea" published in The Storytelling Bistro anthology. Launched the first AI-generated playbill for a solo show.

### How To Die In Japan
A follow-up solo show exploring Japanese etiquette around death — funerals, rituals, family obligations, and the concept of TPO (Time, Place, Occasion). Contrasts Japanese customs with American informality through personal family stories. Genre: storytelling and comedy. A multimedia production with live original score by Michael D. Mortilla (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences). Directed by Jane Morris. Creative Dramaturg: Marlene Ondrea Nichols. First run sold out within 36 hours at The Fanatic Salon Theater, Culver City.

## Background

Miyo moved from Osaka, Japan to the US in 2004. She spent years as a programmer before discovering storytelling through Toastmasters (2009) and StoryMasters (2014). She began stand-up comedy in 2022 — not by plan, but by curiosity.

## Accolades

- Moth StorySLAM Champion
- Featured performer at inaugural Moth LA StorySLAM Showcase (2023)
- Ojai Storytelling Festival Story Slam winner (2025)
- Featured at the Storytelling Association of California's Showcase, Bay Area Storytelling Festival (2025)
- Featured at San Diego International Fringe Festival
- Sold-out runs at Hollywood Fringe, Fanatic Salon Theater
- Published in The Storytelling Bistro: Stories, Poems, and Reflections (Amazon)

## Shows Produced by Miyo

### You Say What!
A storytelling concert series produced by Miyo. Each show features five storytellers performing true, unscripted personal stories live on stage — no scripts, no safety nets. The stories are too strange for fiction, too funny to make up, and too real to forget. Genre: storytelling concert. Page: https://miyo.net/you-say-what/

## Booking

To book Miyo for shows or events: https://miyo.net/contact/

## Social

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miyo.thestoryteller
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miyo.thestoryteller
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsKLvxw2DcBkMq9S8Bh8Rg