We recently connected with Rumi Oyama and have shared our conversation below.

Rumi, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

This question prompts deep reflection for me. Raised in a conservative Japanese village, I initially set aside my childhood dream of acting to meet societal and familial expectations. This led me to pursue a law degree and establish a career in Japan. It wasn’t until I reached 24 years old that I finally embraced my artistic passions as an actress, dancer, and choreographer.

In those early years of my creative journey, I often found myself wishing I had started sooner. Comparing myself to others who began their artistic pursuits in childhood, especially in fields like dance, left me feeling inadequate and occasionally filled with regret. I questioned why I hadn’t summoned the courage earlier to pursue my true passion.

However, as time passed and I reflected on my path, my perspective evolved. I began to appreciate the value in the diverse experiences that shaped me. My academic studies and rigorous corporate career in Japan, which I once viewed as divergent from my creative aspirations, actually equipped me with valuable skills. For instance, my legal education honed my logistical thinking and structured writing abilities, which now serve me well as a writer creating film scripts. Similarly, my corporate experience provided insights into organizational dynamics that now support me in running my own business.

In hindsight, what initially seemed like wasted time has revealed itself as invaluable preparation. I’ve come to understand that every experience, even those initially seen as obstacles to my creative pursuits, has contributed to my overall journey. I believe that everything unfolds in its own time and for a reason, forming a cohesive and meaningful narrative that shapes who I am as an artist and entrepreneur today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I play multiple roles in the entertainment industry, contributing as an actress, writer, producer, director, and choreographer. My journey has been marked by significant projects such as “Running for Grace” now on Amazon Prime, the Broadway musical “Allegiance,” and the Off-Broadway musical “Sayonara,” where I received the Fred and Adele Astaire Award in 2016 for Outstanding Female Dancer Off-Broadway.

In 2021, I founded Kuma Dakko Productions, a film company dedicated to creating cinema infused with authentic Japanese influences and uplifting messages. The name ‘Kuma Dakko’ (くま抱っこ) translates to ‘bear hug,’ symbolizing our mission to foster unity across race, gender, class, and sexual orientation.

My directorial debut, “SPIRIT BOX,” brought together a team consisting of over 50% BIPOC and women filmmakers, and it earned the prestigious ‘Outstanding Dramatic Digital Series’ award at the Oscar Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles on July 16, 2023. Together with our management partner, Atchity Productions, we actively pursue opportunities across TV series, feature films, anime, and stage productions to share our diverse narratives with global audiences.

Currently, I’m immersed in developing three exciting projects: “Finding Your Voice,” a comedic film script; “Sengoku,” a finalist in the esteemed 2020 ScreenCraft Animation Contest; and “Blinders,” a compelling short film.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Navigating the entrepreneurial or artistic journey is undeniably arduous, often testing one’s resolve. Criticism and judgment of the art you create are unavoidable and can be daunting; there are always haters. Presenting our art to the world, akin to revealing a vulnerable part of oneself, can be intimidating, and I sometimes find myself scared. During such moments, I find solace and inspiration in Theodore Roosevelt’s timeless words, famously known as ‘The Man in the Arena.’ Roosevelt eloquently stated:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

This profound quote serves as my guiding principle. The essence lies in persisting in the arena, pushing beyond comfort zones, embracing risks, and welcoming vulnerability in pursuit of personal growth, authentic connections, and meaningful endeavors. My commitment is to continue fearlessly embracing uncertainty, striving for impactful outcomes, even in the face of potential failure or criticism.”

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

In my creative journey as an artist, my primary goal is to create stories that inspire individuals to embrace authenticity and openness in their lives.

Moreover, I am driven by a mission to contribute positively to society. This year, I launched a volunteering project called “Kuma Dakko Performers” – an Empowerment Project for Orphaned Children in Japan. Our team recently visited the Sendai area to teach children how to express themselves through dance, and the response was truly heartwarming.

The essence of “Kuma Dakko Performers” is to bring the magic of Broadway directly to children in Japanese orphanages. Through professional dance lessons led by Broadway dancers and actresses, we aim to not only teach dance skills but also to broaden the children’s horizons and foster openness to diverse experiences. Using dance as a universal language, our mission is to instill joy, self-expression, and confidence in these young individuals.

We are committed to making a lasting impact and plan to expand our initiative to reach more orphanages across japan, and ultimately the world, in the coming years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kumadakkoproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rumi_oyama/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rumi.oyama.79/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rumi-oyama-3baaa822
• Other: http://www.rumioyama.com

Image Credits

Introduction photo – credit: Stephanie Girard Photography. The 6th picture where I’m directing the dancers – credit: La Mirada Theater.