Yayoi Hirano
Acting
Biography
Born and raised in Japan, Yayoi is a graduate of Toho Gakuen College of Drama. In 1989, she became the first mime artist to receive the Japanese Ministry of Education Fellowship and spent a year collaborating with mime and dance artists in Germany and Canada. She has lived in Vancouver since 2002. Yayoi has extensive experience with both western and traditional Japanese dance theatre. Her career as a solo performer includes numerous European, Asian festivals and five North American tours beginning with appearance at Vancouver Expo ‘86. Yayoi is also a carver of Noh-style masks. Some of her recent works include her company YTM productions Shinju (2008), Identity-Ancestral Memory (2011) and A Greek tragedy in Noh-theatre style Medea/Rokujo in November 2013 at the Orpheum Theatre Annex, OKUNI-Mother of Kabuki in March 2017 at Studio 1398. Yayoi performed as a guest for Sara Davis Buechner’s concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Centre on June 1, 2017, Ibert’s “Histories” and received a great review from NY Times. This program was presented in Washington DC on April 10 at Freer Gallery of Art (Smithsonian Museum), on May 10 Victoria Music at Wentworth Villa, and on July 29 at the “Orford Music Festival” near Montreal. Yayoi started to work “Comedia” since 2018 November at Visual Space with Cellist Marina Hasselberg as a working progress and performed second one on May 2019. The final “Comedia 2020” performed at The Dance Centre on Feb. 21 & 22 2020. Her newest project” A Life- At the Hawk’s Well” started since March 2021 and will be presented in Italy Bologna April 2022 supported by the Canada Council. Yayoi has also worked as a movement coach for Vancouver Opera’s Madama Butterfly (2010), Mortal Coil’s Salmon Row (2011) and Carousel Theatre’s Wondrous Tales of Old Japan (2014).
Known For
A chilling anthology series featuring stories of people in terrifying situations inspired by true historical events.
The Terror
In Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.
Shōgun
Set in an alternate America where witches ended their persecution over 300 years ago by cutting a deal with the government to fight for their country, the series follows three young women from basic training in combat magic into early deployment.
Motherland: Fort Salem
A rookie Homicide detective's negligence in a fellow officer's death has her searching for redemption in her investigations.
The Murders
Sophie is a rising culinary star on the verge of becoming executive chef at a high-end Manhattan restaurant. But when her sister Abigail calls with news that their beloved family seafood spot in Montauk is floundering, Sophie returns home to help. What was meant to be a short visit turns into a journey of rediscovery, of her roots, her passion for cooking, and a surprising second chance at love with her teenage crush, Cam, a local fisherman whose quiet strength and charm leave Sophie rethinking everything she thought she wanted.
Catch of the Day
Kana, a young woman from Japan is pursuing her career in North America and has adapted to her new environment. However, her new lifestyle has made her emotionally distant and can't seem to sustain a long term relationship. Her mother calls informing Kana that grandma passed away. As Kana returns home to pay her respects, she begins to recall her most intimate conversation with grandma. In their talk, Grandma is proud of Kana for leaving Japan. Kana argues it's even harder to raise a family and sustain a marriage for a lifetime. Grandma tells Kana that their marriage was far from ideal, and to Kana's surprise, Grandma reveals a secret which changes Kana's attitudes on relationships. Memories and the funeral force Kana to look inside herself and examine her own life.
Akashi
A story of forbidden love in Japan when sparks fly between Paniz and Miyuki at a house party. Turns out, Paniz is a visiting English teacher at the same school where Miyuki is a transfer student. The film unfolds an emotional journey for the two women as the trials and tribulations of a modern unconventional love in a traditional society take their toll.
Happy Ever After
Sinclaire embarks on a killing spree to collect sin in the form of candy under the command of her dead mother from Hell.