THANK YOU. I want to start there, because the fact that you’re even here means the world to me.
In my March newsletter, I mentioned how much it meant to have you in the room for Hot Tapes. The response was more than I expected. So many of you checked in, shared your schedules, and—despite the usual chaos of life—actually showed up. Not just for the group shows, but for my solo shows, too. You made that whole weekend feel like magic.
The room at the solo shows was a beautiful mix: people I hadn’t seen in over a decade, the “regulars” who are the backbone of my shows, and brand-new faces I was meeting for the first time.
Usually, I don’t “meet and greet” before a solo show. I like to stay in my head and keep my energy contained. But on that final day, I felt like I needed a different energy, so I headed out to the patio.
While I was catching up with an old friend, a mother and son walked up to say hello. It was his 17th birthday, and of all the ways a teenager could choose to celebrate, he chose my show. I was floored. We chatted for a bit, and then it was time for me to get backstage.
Earlier that day, I’d been overthinking the giveaway for my new (not-yet-released) tote bag. I had originally put the winning envelope on a seat in the middle of the house. But then I had a change of heart. I thought, Not many people like sitting in the very front row—I should reward whoever is brave enough to sit there. So, without having any idea who would end up where, I moved the envelope to the front.
As it turned out, that 17-year-old birthday boy sat in that exact seat.
He won the bag, and the whole room sang “Happy Birthday” to him. Later, they said, “We really wanted to sit close to the front because we’ve followed you for a long time and wanted to be close to someone we admire.”
I hadn’t moved the envelope with them in mind—I didn’t even know where they would sit. It was just one of those strange, delightful coincidences where everyone’s energy just lined up. It was the perfect ending to a special weekend.
The Team Behind the Magic
A show like this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s built on the shoulders of people who do more than just their “jobs”—they bring their heart to the stage.
- Jane Morris (Director): She is constantly pushing me, giving me those tiny pieces of advice that elevate the show to a level I couldn’t reach alone.
- Michael D. Mortilla (Composer/Musician): A perfectionist in the best way, fine-tuning the score until the very last second. His execution is always flawless.
- Anthony Phills (Design Jedi): If you loved the animation, the program, and the envelope, that’s Anthony. He truly is a master of the Force.
- Mitch Kamaiopili (Tech) & James Rios (Videographer): My “on-the-ground” team. Watching how much they cared about their work made the whole process easy.
- Marlene Nichols (Creative Dramaturg): Even though she was away on a trip this time, her support and fingerprints are all over this show.
- Mattie Singleton: She was a lifesaver—not only did she seam the fabric for our screen, but she also made sure everyone was taken care of at the refreshment corner.
- Jenn Sterger: A huge thank you for helping me making the jokes land even harder.
- Fanatic Salon Theater: For being the supportive home base every performer dreams of.
The momentum from the weekend is carrying me even further than I imagined. My solo show was just selected for the District Fringe Festival!
I’m bringing the show to D.C.—my very first East Coast run in the U.S. I am beyond excited (and maybe a little nervous) to take this story across the country. If you have friends or family in the D.C. area, please spread the word!
Whether you were on stage, behind the scenes, or sitting in the audience—thank you for being part of this journey.
Congratulations Miyo!!! You absolutely killed at Hot Tapes!! <3
Thank you, Jenn, for your guidance and support! A friend of mine who’s been watching my comedy journey since Day 1 always gives me her “evaluation.” She’s not a comic, just a huge comedy fan — and for the first time ever, she gave me a 100!