Toshinori Hamada, actor, dancer, writer and director, draws from his broad experience and deep knowledge as a Japanese artist residing in New York City for more than thirty years. His early theatre training and performance was as a Kabuki actor, eventually progressing to Noh Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, under the direction of Master Junosuke Watanabe. Toshi came to NYC to train at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and has performed professionally for years as a modern dancer. For over twenty-five years, he has been a principal dancer and co-choreographer with the BALAM Dance Theatre, notably his critically acclaimed masked dance drama, Sunda Upasunda, inspired by the Mahabharata that he created for BALAM’s Bali Tour 2010. As a dance artist, he has performed throughout the United States and internationally, bringing his unique east/west fusion aesthetic steeped in Japanese sensibilities to audiences. His performance credits include Saeko Ichinoe Dance Company, Harmonia Opera, the Connecticut Ballet, Temple of Jehan, American Dance Festival, Rubin Museum of Art. His recent projects include Jyo en, a Japanese operetta in which he performed as well as co-wrote, co-directed and co-choreographed and collaborations with Lew Tabackin, the legendary jazz musician, performing Noh dance to Tabackin’s jazz improvisations. He has written and composed the songs for a new musical, Wind Chime, which is slated to be performed later this year. In addition, he has directed and produced several award winning independent films including, Dream on Flatbed and recently co-starred in a film, Shūjin, currently in post-production. Toshi has also taught Noh theatre and dance at the Lee Strasberg Theatre, NY Film Institute, NYU’s Gallatin School, Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University.