Atsuko Okatsuka in Christchurch

Atsuko Okatsuka is an American stand-up comedian, actor and writer who was born in Taiwan, spent part of her childhood in Japan and later moved to the United States. HBO released her debut stand-up special, The Intruder, in 2022. She also created the Drop Challenge after a video of her dancing with her grandmother spread online. In 2012, she co-founded Dis/orient/ed Comedy in Los Angeles with Jenny Yang and Yola Lu, creating a touring showcase for Asian American women in stand-up. Her later solo theatre work included the Full Grown Tour.