“Origami Tales” with Kuniko Yamamoto

Randolph, Vermont - Japanese storytelling and mime artist Kuniko Yamamoto comes to Chandler Music Hall as part of Chandler’s Daytime Performance Series on Tuesday December 11 at 10 AM. The hour-long performance will feature dramatic storytelling using myths and fables from ancient and modern Japan, spiced with social revelations to educate and amuse.

Using origami, character masks, traditional Japanese music, and audience participation, the storyteller provides a magical entry into Japanese culture.  The artist weaves together traditional Japanese music, handcrafted masks, stylized movement and a touch of magic to create an artistic balance between illusion and reality.

A native of Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto received her Bachelor of Psychology from Otani University of Kyoto in 1983. She began performing professionally in her hometown of Osaka where she grew up studying traditional dance, music, and theater. She received national attention performing Japanese Storytelling at the Silk Road International Exposition and on Kansai National TV in 1985.



The following year Kuniko traveled to the US to study with highly respected mime artist and actor Tony Montanaro. She has toured with the Leland Faulkner Light Theater where she helped present lavish stage illusions and brought ancient tales to life with shadows and magic. She currently lives in Florida and is married to Jon LeClair, a world-renowned magician who has helped her incorporate subtle magic and mystery to her presentations.

Kuniko Yamamoto maintains a busy schedule performing in theaters, schools, universities and festivals across the country. She has performed at The Kennedy Center and the Disney Epcot Japanese Pavilion and has received recognition from the Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina State Arts Councils.
Tickets for the performance are $6. Production costs are underwritten by profits from Chandler’s New World Festival and generous grants from the Lamson Howell Foundation and the National Life Charitable Foundation.

Reservations for this special daytime performance can be made by contacting Emily Crosby at 431-0204 or outreach@chandler-arts.org.  Although recommended for elementary students through Grade 6, the performance is sure to captivate audience members of all ages. Chandler Music Hall is wheelchair accessible and an assisted listening system is available for hearing-impaired patrons.