Meet Koji Ono

We had the good fortune of connecting with Koji Ono and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Koji, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
My goal is to be a bridge between US musical industry and Japanese musical industry. When I was a college student I visited the broadway and inspired so much!!!
And then I started my career as a musical actor in Japan.
I was working at the Shiki Thetre Company which is most popular musical company in Japan and I played The Lion King ,West Side Story ,A Chorus Line and so many Broadway musicals in Japan in Japanese.
But I couldn’t forget my inspiration I got inNY Broadway.
I decided to quite Japanese company and came to NY.
But I struggled a lot to be an actor in here NYC like VISA or English, or living different country.
Fortunately I could live and work here NYC right now, so I really want to help Japanese actors or Asian actors to challenge to foreign countries also I want to have Japanese musical here in Broadway someday.
These days I feel Japanese culture is getting hot.
So I think it’s a great timing!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actor and also producer for the musical. I started my career in Japan as a musical actor and worked almost 12 years as a professional actor.
And then I quit Japanese musical company and came to US.
There were so many challenges her inNYC but thanks to the help of many people I am now woo her as an actor and also a producer.
During the tough time I learned that it’s really important to be active and meet people and tell them your dream!
If you could tell them your dream and goals some people would help you!
Also fortunately I had professional career in Japan so it’s really helpful to explain who I am.
Now I want to connect Japanese musical industry and Broadway musical industry more closer.
I want to have Japanese musical here inNYC someday and vice versa want to bring Broadway Musical to Japan and perform combined both Japanese actors and Broadway actors in English!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To watch Broadway shows and also if my friends are interested I want to have them dancing or singing lessons in English!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all I want to appreciate my family and friends and also people who support me in both Japan and US. Especially I want to thank my father.
He died 2 years ago because of the cancer but he always encouraged me and also let me do anything I want.
Actually I was major in Law at my University but I want to be an actor.
It was really difficult decision because I was going to be a lawyer.
When I told my father what Inwas thinking about my future.
And he totally understood my decision and let me do what I want also he supported me a lot.

Instagram: @koji_ono1981

Twitter: @KojiOno7

Image Credits
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