MEET IMPROV LEGEND, GUCHI
This interview series, “5 Years, 5 Stories,” is in celebration of Budokan’s upcoming 5-Year Anniversary. Leading up to our FREE community event on 9/13, we will be rolling out 5 features on amazing people who make up our BudoCommunity- so stay tuned for the next 4!
Make it stand out
Meet Tatyana Komaguchi, aka Tatyana Guchi, aka Guchi in our first “5 Years, 5 Stories” interview!
Guchi is a stand-up comedian with a unique comedic style influenced by their East Coast and Southern roots. Combining storytelling and set-up-punch jokes, they delve into topics such as race, inequality, and human observation, offering a thought- provoking perspective focusing on Black, Queer, and Asian issues.
“As somebody who's a misfit myself, I have never felt more included in my Japanese community than here at the Budokan, and I'm really, really thankful for that.”
Guchi has been partnering with Terasaki Budokan for 3 years through our BudoComedy Shows, Program Showcase event, and of course, BMC Improv. Every Tuesday night from 8:15-9:45pm, Budokan’s Community Room is filled with laughter, artistic expression, and community during our inclusive, low-cost improv program that Guchi co-leads with Paris Nicole. (Come join us for some unforgettable, hilarious times!!)
“We've been performing all over the states really. We started in 2019 as a practice group and became a performance group in about 2021. With the team, I’ve performed at San Francisco Sketch Fest, the Third Coast Fest in Nashville, as well as the Women in Improv Festival in San Diego.”
Make it stand out
When asked why Budokan is so important, Guchi said, “In a world that's so divided, is so hateful, is so misaligned in every single way, it's so important to have pillars of the community, to have safe havens where people can go and get resources. But not only that- meet people, and be able to express themselves, and learn about different art forms. I think that's the thing that's very unique about the Budokan. I've even learned about different art forms and have met different instructors here that have opened up a world that I didn't even know I had.”
Their favorite thing about Budokan is that it’s clean! Guchi jokingly said, “You can eat off the floors, and that’s SO RARE in Los Angeles.”
Make it stand out
Over the next 5 years, Guchi has big dreams for Budokan and BMC Improv’s program. “I want more people to know about [the Budokan]. I want more people to utilize the space and the resources that the Budokan provides. Their programs are amazing for kids, for adults, for the elderly. I don't ever think that there is enough people coming through these doors, even for us with the improv program. But honestly, it's such a great program; I would love to add more classes. I want more people to know about these resources that are so low cost and/or free.”
