Ocala Storytelling Festival

A native of Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto received her Bachelor of Psychology from Otani University of Kyoto, Japan in 1983. Started performing professionally in her hometown of Osaka where she grew up studying traditional dance, music and theater. She has received national exposure performing Japanese Storytelling at the Silk Road International Exposition and on Kansai National TV in 1985. The following year Kuniko traveled to the United States to study with Tony Montanaro, highly respected mime and actor. Then three years after began touring with Leland Faulkner Light Theater where she helped present lavish stage illusions and brought ancient tales to life with shadows and magic. For the next five years she has performed constantly in theaters, schools, colleges, and festivals across the country.

In 1992, Kuniko left the Faulkner Light Theater troupe to move to Florida. Married to Jon LeClair, a world-renowned magician whose books appear in magic shops worldwide has been helping her add subtle magic and mystery to her very special act.

In such venues as The Kennedy Center (Washington DC), the Disney Epcot Japanese Pavilion, the last decade she has been presenting her programs throughout the United States, also recognized by the Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina State Arts Council since 2000.

Japanese Storytelling with Magical Mask, Mime, & Music
Folktales from Japan are combined with folk songs, original masks, origami, highly stylized movements and a touch of magic to entertain. The stories are selected from the oldest Japanese book of Kojiki, which portray the culture and moral perspective of Japan; social ideas are illustrated through commentary and description of Japanese traditions. The audience is encouraged to compare Japanese and American tales, arts and the cultural elements, participating in wonders of East.

Visit her website at: www.kunikotheater.com