Tomoko Komura
Tomoko grew up in Yokohama and trained in ‘underground’ theatre with Theatre Group ‘Oct/Pass’ in Sendai Japan, before moving to the US to study Theatre at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In 2004 she moved to the UK and gained a Master of Fine Arts in Lecoq-based Physical Theatre at the London International School of Performing Arts. Since then, she has performed in theatre shows with award-winning companies such as Theatre Ad Infinitum, Theatre Témoin, and Out of Chaos. She is one of the few modern benshi, a traditional storyteller and writer for silent films. Tomoko is a member of the pop performance art group Frank Chickens and plays the piano for bands and live shows. She is also an experienced conference interpreter for Japanese and English, working for the BBC, United Nations, EU Commission, etc.
Her acting credits include:
Guide 4 in Tsunagu/Connect Live (New Earth Theatre)
Benshi for Ozu’s Walk Cheerfully (1930)
Kameko in We Like to Move It Move It (ice & fire theatre)
Takako in Baaba’s Footsteps (Vault Festival)
Young Tomomi in The Art of Gaman (Theatre503)
Heartless Hannah in Ballad of the Burning Stars (Theatre Ad Infinitum)
Josei in FLOWER, BIRD, WIND, MOON (A Play, A Pie and A pint)
Mika's Handmaiden in 47 Ronin (2013, Universal Studios)
Miyu in Jukai (Ailin Conant)
Tomoko in Out of Chaos (Ouf of Chaos)
Miyo in Bonsai Maple Syrup (Sattelite Theatre)
Education:
1998: Yokohama Suiran High School
1999-2001: Studied Earth Science and Geology at the School of Science at Tohoku University
2003: Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at the University of Colorado at Boulder
2006: Master of Fine Arts in Lecoq-based Actor-Created Physical Theatre at the London International School of Performing Arts and Naropa University
2010: Master of Arts in Interpreting at the London Metropolitan University
Qualification:
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE, C2 Proficiency)
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)