Originally from Tokyo, Michiko is a Japanese scenographer who has worked and designed in American theatres for over 25 years. Her scenographical approach to design is to create pictures filled with stories rather than placing objects in a space. She believes designers are storytellers. Michiko is experimenting how design can lead the playwriting process in The Passport Project, which investigates immigrant experiences in Oslo and Miami.
Michiko’s passion project, TSUNAMI, through collaboration with distinguished playwright/director Nilo Cruz, is a docudrama based on interviews conducted after Japan’s tsunami disaster. The play sought a new method to transform a documentary into a surrealistic composition. Michiko produced, co-wrote, and designed the world premiere of TSUNAMI, which was presented at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in September 2015.
She has designed costumes for several regional theatres including Asolo Repertory Theatre and Florida Stage. She also has assisted renowned designers such as Martin Pakledinaz and Dana Granata on Broadway and worked at one of the largest costume shops in NYC, Parsons-Meares. Michiko worked as Associate Costume Designer for the world premiere of a musical, Take Flight, which was led by a Tony-nominated director, Amon Miyamoto, and Hamilton costume designer, Paul Tazewell. Her costume design of Woyzeck was chosen to enter Prague Quadrennial 2003 in Prague. Michiko has designed over 75 productions at Jerry Herman Ring Theatre at the University of Miami, including Cuban Carmen created and directed by Moises Kaufman.
Michiko is an Associate Professor of Design at the University of Miami. She is a member of United Scenic Artists local 829.
