Careers
Chief Manager, Theatre Production Division
- How did you join the company?
I joined the company in April 2011. When I was a student, I majored in architecture at the Tokyo University of Science, but my club was Waseda University's pantomime club, and I spent a lot of time there.
The reason I joined the company was that the representative, Mr. Ito, was a lecturer in a class at the university where I was studying, and it was a strange class where he had the students dance even though it was an architecture class.
The year I joined the company, I became certified as a Heaven Artist, a street performer officially recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. I work as a performer on weekends. Thanks to the company's encouragement, I was able to continue my activities.
- What is your current affiliation?
My department is the theater production division, and my main work is consulting for facility planning. The scope of my work is very broad, from the initial planning stages to the planning, construction, and post-opening phases. We start work on each project when we are asked to do so. We start with the initial concept of the project, and from there, we consider how to incorporate the concept into the plan. In the construction phase, we are involved in checking the progress and making detailed adjustments.
Sometimes I join a project that is already under construction or just prior to construction. In some cases, the site is already in progress when I join the project, and I have to discuss with the client, designers, and constructors under severe restrictions such as how much they can change, budget, and time frame.
- What have you accomplished?
There is a hall called LUMINE 0 (LUMINE ZERO) above Basta in Shinjuku, and that was the first property I was involved in from start to finish. Actually, I was involved in this project on two separate occasions. The first time, I had just joined the company and didn't know what was right or left, and I couldn't even read the drawings, but I remember doing the planning for the facilities and equipment. Next, several years later, when I had gained some understanding of the work, I was asked to work on the project again, and I took charge of it. At that time, I spent a short but very intense period of time reviewing the concept, incorporating it into the plans, and adjusting construction policies. After the operation started, I often discovered things anew when I visited the site occasionally for events and tours. I gained more knowledge from these past experiences, such as the use of such finishes and detailed innovations, and as time goes by, I feel more confident in what I can propose to the clients.
- Has your image of the company changed since you joined?
Before I joined the company, I was working part-time and assisting in parts of projects. I didn't understand the whole picture then, but when I joined the company, I learned that the scope of projects was much broader than I had expected. I gradually came to realize that what was happening "now" in each of my jobs was actually related to the entire project. This made me enjoy my job more and more, as I was able to link ideas one after another.
The company itself is expanding its business domain, and I think it will continue to do so, so I would like to create a good cycle in which planning and operations enhance each other in a comprehensive manner.
I also travel a lot (laughs). I enjoy going to distant places, but sometimes I feel exhausted after a day trip.
- What challenges do you want to take on in the future?
The number of properties I am involved in facility management has increased, I have been asked to work on projects that never existed before, and the scope of work for the company as a whole has expanded since I joined. It is only natural that I would like to enhance my knowledge of theater consulting, but I would also like to acquire the ability to look at a wider variety of facilities and projects as a whole, including what happens after the facility opens.
- How do you spend your days off?
In addition to my own activities as a performer, I also go to see other street performances. Street performance is especially in season in spring and fall, so my schedule is full during those times.
There are also street performance festivals centered around the theater, so I don't necessarily separate them from my consulting work, but rather I often enjoy associating them. I like it because I get to see the city, the theater, and the street performance, and I get to see it all.
Sho Okuda