Rieko Kijima
Rieko trained in Performing Arts at Subaru Theatre School Tokyo. For ten years she studied Japanese Traditional Dance, stage combat and Iaido ( Japanese swordsmanship) at Chiba Studio and for seven years in Kyudo ( Japanese Archery) at Fukuoka and Fukushima. She has worked as a freelance artist, director and workshop leader for various theatre companies for children and young people throughout Japan, including Kazenoko Tohoku, Kyushu, Chubu and Hokkaido Theatre Companies. She also directed the large scale community production ‘The Radiance of Life” for the 100 year
celebration Festival in Oketo.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 she delivered drama workshops in schools within Fukushima Prefecture over a five year period for the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
In the UK as a performer she was in King Lear at Bristol Old Vic and Hot Air at Tobacco Factory Theatres. She was Japanese movement consultant on Up Down Boy and delivered numerous workshops in movement for Bristol Old Vic and Myrtle Theatre Company.