Mika Shirahama

Curator Theatre Producer Theatre Director Performing arts maker Performance designer

Mika Shirahama is a multi-talent performance artist based in London, bringing an intercultural perspective to her creative endeavors.

Originally from Japan, Mika has traversed diverse cultural landscapes, having lived in Shanghai, Osaka, and Hong Kong before finding her artistic home in the UK in 2019. Recently graduating with a first-class degree in BA Theatre and Performance from the University of Leeds, Mika is deeply passionate about fostering co-creation between performers and audiences, as well as among fellow artists. She is now actively seeking new and exciting collaborations within the performance and cultural industries.

Mika utilises an experimental and research-based approach to her work. Her creative process usually involves posing thought-provoking questions, crafting concepts through documentation, exploring materials, and conducting interviews. Her artistic mission is to provide audiences with extraordinary experiences that elevate the allure of their everyday lives. She places significant value on the collaborative journey of producing performance and art, firmly believing that insights derived from collaboration with others and materials can lead to innovative ideas, personal development and community growth.

Credits

Assistant Director | Into the Woods | John McIntosh Arts Centre, 1week, 2024

Assistant Director | Twelfth Night | Tower Theatre, 1week, 2024

Director | Inhale | Bold Elephant, scratch night, 2024

Director | All About is My Hair | Questors Theatre, scratch night, 2024

Leading actor | Nekomata | Leeds(Short film), 2023

Set Designer | Marketer | Dramaturg | Performer, The Dash, Stage One Stage@Leeds, 3 days, 2023

Researcher | Producer | Script writer | Designer | Performer, Farewell, Alec Clegg Studio Stage@Leeds, 1 day, 2023

Curator | Producer | Designer | Video Editor, ¿Walk?, Alec Clegg Studio Stage@Leeds, 1 day, 2023

Assistant Producer, Lost and Found, Online Theatre ZA, 1 day 2022

Researcher | Script Writer | Set Designer | Performer | Marketer, Chase the Ace, Banham Theatre University of Leeds, 1 day, 2022

Performance Designer | Performer, RGB, Studio 2.03 Clothworker South building University of Leeds, 1 day, 2022

Lighting Designer, High School Musical, Reily Smith Theatre, 3 days, 2022

Leading Actor, Blossoms of Her Selves, Stage One Stage@Leeds, 1 day, 2022

Sound Designer | Marketer, Choose Your Journey, Studio 2.03 Clothworker South building University of Leeds, 1 day, 2021

Performer | Marketer, Confusion in the Palace, Stage One Stage@Leeds, 1 day, 2021

Director | Script Writer | Company Manager | Performer, Dear You, Online, 2021



Training

2024 New Earth Theatre
New Earth Performer's Academy

2020-2023 University of Leeds
BA Theatre and Performance (First Class Honour)

2022 University of Arts London
Summer Study Abroad: Theatre and Screen Design
Contemporary Art Exhibition and Event Management course
Curating from Art to Design and Beyond short course

Location

London

Experience

2-5 years

Art forms / Disciplines

  • Film - documentary
  • Film - short
  • Graphic / product design
  • Literature
  • Live art
  • Multi-disciplinary / cross art form
  • New technologies / digital
  • Photography
  • Theatre / Live perfomance
  • Visual arts

What I do

  • Curating
  • Devising
  • Directing
  • Facilitating
  • Languages
  • Performance Art
  • Performing
  • Physical Theatre / Mime
  • Producing
  • Prop Making
  • Set Design
  • Site Responsive/Immersive
  • Theatre making
  • Verbatim theatre
  • Working with young people
  • Working within a Community / with community participants
  • Workshopping & Development
  • Writing

Additional Languages

Japanese (native level), Mandarin (native level), Cantonese (beginner level)

Social

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