This article highlights how Formosa Improv Group (FIG) provides performing artists with a platform to lead community workshops, offering the Taipei improv community a diverse range of facilitators to learn from, as well as giving guest facilitators a chance to shine and rise to a new challenge. — Prebaking the Crust The one surefire way to make absolutely certain your pie’s crust will be golden brown, crisp, and delicious — just as appealing as its filling — is to prebake it. (King Arthur Baking)

Maximum use, minimum space, a vibrant and restorative experience. These are the words I would use to describe the atmosphere of Future Factory, a small cafe located nearby Taipei’s Yuanshan 圓山 Station and Expo Park. …

As we stood nearby the exit space in the economy section of the United Airlines flight that would be departing from San Francisco to Taipei, my wife and I were determined to make every last second count before we had to take our seats. This flight would be more than…

Standing on a tatami mat from my wife’s childhood bedroom in Niigata, Japan, a painting of a gigantic purple sunfish to my 3 o’clock, the hot July Sun seeping through the traditional Japanese window screen, I admit that it has taken a while to arrive at the point where I…

“Yes and…” Anyone who has ever done improv before is familiar with this word combination. It is the holy godfather, the foundation of what excellent improv scenes are built upon, the keys to the kingdom, back to the beginning when “God created the Heaven and Earth.” These two words are so simple…

Behind the Tombstone 2017, Alone in the cemetery. The thoughts of a story whirling in my mind… I can hear the sound of lonesome insects whizzing and chirping in the hot Spring air. Away from the hordes and crowds, it seems as if they are a chanting chorus for the dead. I look…

Swollen hand of baby, Needle full of blood, Pierce the flesh, make it raw, pull the scab and watch it flow, Do not, oh pray DO NOT touch the bump that springs forth from your mark! ’Tis the goddamn mosquito that vexes me so. You siphon my essential fuel, You…

“Are you a gourmet or do you have a culinary column?” Mr. Wu asks me as we end our conversation. “No,” I respond. “I just really like donuts.” — I first noticed our local donut shop when we viewed the apartment we moved into in October of 2021. I wanted to check out the neighborhood and see what sort of local eateries or sites there were around the corner. Being an American, my nose tuned into the steamy fragrance…

I’m watching the computer screen in front of me as I enjoy a glass of red wine and a bowl of hot pot. It’s my first time to have hot pot in our company’s office, and I have to say I feel a bit elitist sitting at what is usually…