Hisashi Shimoyama
Photo: Naoko Kitaue
Hisashi Shimoyama
As the leader of ACO Okinawa, Hisashi Shimoyama has planned and produced many original performances on Okinawa and its regional traditional art forms. In 1994, he launched the International Theater Festival Okinawa for Young Audiences, or ricca ricca festa, as its general producer and artistic director, which was awarded a 2019 Japan Foundation Prize for Global Citizenship. Building networks with artists and festivals at home and abroad, he has created numerous international collaborative works with artists around the world as well. In 2021, he served as the general producer and artistic director of the 20th ASSITEJ World Congress, which was held in Japan for the first time. He has dedicated his career to connecting the Japanese and international theater scenes and presenting quality performing arts to children. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize, and is an Honorary Member of ASSITEJ International.
