We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tomoyo Yamada a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tomoyo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

My very first pay check as an artist came from a production of The Merry Widow, an operetta in Japan. At the time, I had just graduated from university and was preparing to start my Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Arts the following year in Canada. I wanted to keep my creative momentum going, so I sought out projects that would allow me to stay immersed in the arts.
One of the most pivotal moments came just before graduation, when I had the opportunity to be part of a Les Misérables production. It was there that I began to form meaningful connections with a wide range of artists — from professionals to fellow students — and that’s where I first realized how crucial relationships are in the arts community. Those connections eventually led to my first paid choreographer/dancer contract for The Merry Widow.
Looking back, that was a game-changing moment for me. I had the opportunity to work not only with trained dancers but also with opera singers, which was a completely new experience. It was then that I truly understood the power of collaboration between different art forms. As someone with a background in movement and dance, I had always been drawn to interdisciplinary work, and this project solidified my passion for blending diverse artistic mediums. This early experience of bringing together a talented and varied group of artists shaped my approach to creating and continues to influence my work to this day. It was both humbling and exhilarating, realizing that I could contribute to something so collaborative. That first pay check wasn’t just an exciting financial milestone; it was the beginning of my journey as an artist who thrives on cross-disciplinary collaboration.

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

I am an interdisciplinary artist working across the disciplines of Dance, Theatre, Film, and Comedy.
In 2016 I founded Clala Project, a multidisciplinary collective that brings together artists from diverse backgrounds. The collective is currently based in Vancouver, BC, and is co-run with my collaborators, Charlotte Telfer-Wan and Sam Mason. At Clala, we delve into a range of cultures, reflecting on the ways in which our upbringing, customs, interactions with people and place, spirituality, and even our possessions impact the work we create. Our artistic practice is ever-evolving, integrating movement, interactive theatre, projection design, and sound. These elements are all tied together by our deep-rooted connection to dance and the importance of movement in how we express, communicate, and connect.
Our recent work includes a self-produced performance of TASHME (2024) at uRBANGUILD in Kyoto, Japan (July 2024), and Uchi (2023) at the Beaumont Studios in Vancouver (April 2023). We’ve also had the privilege of being presented by key Vancouver arts festivals, including The Dance Centre’s Open Stage (2020), Dancing on The Edge Festival (2019 & 2024), and the Vines Art Festival (2019).
Outside of Clala, I also work as an independent performance artist. One of the projects I’m particularly excited about is RIOT, a sketch comedy group I’m part of, led by a friend, actor, director and producer Matt Clarke. RIOT integrates scripted sketch comedy, singing, and dancing to tackle local Vancouver issues and events.
For me, every project, whether through Clala, RIOT or as an independent artist, is about pushing boundaries and finding new ways to collaborate across disciplines. My work is rooted in my belief in the power of interdisciplinary art to spark connection, reflection, and change. I am constantly inspired by the diverse communities I am part of, and I look forward to continuing to explore and create in ways that resonate on both a personal and collective level.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The core of my creative journey is the desire to create work that brings people and communities together. Having grown up in the United States and Japan, and later immigrating to Canada, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. These diverse perspectives — and sometimes even conflicting values — have shaped my understanding of the world and deepened my belief in the power of art as a unifying force. I’m a firm believer that art, in any form, has the potential to bridge gaps between people from different walks of life. It provides a platform for individuals to share their stories, their values, and the significance they bring to their communities. While I don’t expect art to change the world, I do believe it can be a powerful mediator to foster connection and understanding, even in the midst of differences.
My ultimate goal is simple. If the work I create or collaborate on can have a positive impact on someone’s day — whether it sparks reflection, brings joy, or just creates a moment of connection — then I consider that a success. For me, the goal is not just artistic achievement, but creating art that resonates, connects, and builds community.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most pivotal moments in my artistic career (so far) came with the onset of COVID-19. As a performance artist who thrived on being onstage, the sudden closure of live events and the shift to online formats had a great impact on both my career and my sense of direction. In December 2020 I finished my MFA degree, but instead of celebrating what I had accomplished, I found myself feeling lost. The opportunities I had worked for vanished, and the financial support that was available to artists during the pandemic often excluded emerging artists like myself — those of us without extensive professional credits. It was in this period of uncertainty that I was able to pivot and explore a passion that had long intrigued me but that I had never had the time or space to fully pursue: the film industry.
Being bilingual in English and Japanese, I saw an opportunity to work on the set of Shogun, a TV series set in 1600’s Japan. I joined the production as a translator, bridging the gap between the English-speaking crew and the Japanese-speaking cast. It was my first experience in the film world, and I quickly became fascinated by the collaborative nature of filmmaking. I also had a small but meaningful background role as a Lady-in-Waiting to one of the main characters. This experience opened up a new world of creative possibilities, from the technical side of film production to the artistry of acting in a completely different medium.
Looking back, I’m incredibly thankful for how the pandemic suggested me to pivot and explore new opportunities. Though it was a difficult and uncertain time, it allowed me to embrace something outside my comfort zone and grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. As an artist, I firmly believe that challenges can lead to unexpected growth and open doors to new types of creativity. The experiences I had during that time continue to shape my work, expanding my artistic practice in ways that continue to surprise and excite me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clalaproject.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomoyo_yamada_/
• Other: Instagram for Clala Project: https://www.instagram.com/clalaproject/
  Instagram for RIOT: https://www.instagram.com/riot_vancouver/

Image Credits

Photographer: Lula-Belle Jedynak
The last group photo around the piano was taken by a different photographer, Kianna Sumitani