Nobuko Miyamoto

Performance Artist, Dancer, Activist

https://www.nobukomiyamoto.org/

CATS: Nobuko, you’ve spoken about how important it is for artists to master their craft. How can young AAPI artists stand out in an industry where they might not always fit the mainstream mold?

Nobuko Miyamoto: It all starts with training and working hard to be the best at what you do. Whether you’re a dancer, actor, or musician, mastering your craft is essential if you want to stand out. For AAPI artists, who may face additional challenges breaking into mainstream spaces, it’s even more important to be at the top of your game. The more you work on your skills, the more opportunities you’ll be ready for when they come your way. So, don’t slack—keep leveling up!

CATS: Finding your voice as an artist can be difficult, especially when the industry has certain expectations. What advice would you give young artists about owning their unique voice?

Nobuko: Don’t be afraid to step up and be yourself—on stage and in life. Your voice is your power, and no one else has the exact same story or perspective as you do. It’s important to find that voice and use it. Don’t let fear or outside expectations silence you. The world needs to hear what you have to say, and you can’t be afraid to claim that space, no matter how different you feel from everyone else.

CATS: Sometimes artists feel they must wait for the perfect role or opportunity. How did you approach that in your career?

Nobuko: Waiting for the perfect role or job isn’t always the best strategy. If there’s something you want to do, create it yourself! Don’t sit around waiting for someone to hand you a role. Write your own songs, tell your own stories, and carve out your own path. That’s how you stay true to yourself and avoid being boxed into roles that don’t represent who you are. I’ve always believed in making my own lane and encouraging other artists to do the same.

CATS: You’ve also said that artists should think beyond just their individual careers. Can you explain what you mean by that?

Nobuko: It’s important to remember that it’s not just about building your career. There’s a bigger world out there, full of issues that need addressing, and as an artist, your talent can be a powerful tool for change. Get involved in what’s happening around you. Whether it’s political, social, or environmental, use your platform to be part of something bigger. When you do, you’ll find more meaning in what you create, and your work will resonate on a deeper level.

CATS: Community seems to play a big role in your journey. How can young artists build a supportive community around them?

Nobuko: Your community is your lifeline. It’s important to surround yourself with people who believe in you, understand your vision and can support you when things get tough. Don’t be afraid to lean on them—art can be a way to heal, both for yourself and for others. Use your community to grow and thrive, and remember that you don’t have to go through the challenges of being an artist alone.

CATS: You’ve often talked about pushing yourself beyond the roles you’re given. What does that look like for an artist?

Nobuko: It’s easy to stick to the roles or gigs that people offer you, but growth happens when you push beyond that. Take risks. Experiment. Don’t be afraid to fail because every failure is a learning experience. The more you challenge yourself, the more you’ll grow as an artist. Sometimes that means creating new opportunities for yourself or saying yes to something outside your comfort zone. That’s how you grow.

CATS: Financial stability is a real concern for many young artists. What advice do you have for those who feel the pressure to make a living while pursuing their passion?

Nobuko: It’s tough to make a living doing just art, especially in the beginning, so don’t stress if you need a side hustle to support yourself. Some of the best artists I know balance their creative work with other gigs. The key is to keep creating, no matter what. Success isn’t always about making art full-time; it’s about staying in the game and continuing to do what you love. The hustle is part of the journey, but it shouldn’t stop you from being an artist.

CATS: Being an artist today requires more than just performing. How can young artists take control of their careers?

Nobuko: You’ve got to be the boss of your own career. Being an artist isn’t just about performing anymore. Learn how to produce your own projects, build a team, and manage the business side of things. It’s about more than just talent—it’s about being able to make things happen for yourself. Whether that’s booking your own gigs, creating your own work, or running your own production, you have to learn how to be in control.

CATS: Finally, what’s the key to having a long, sustainable career in the arts?

Nobuko: Play the long game. If you want to stay in the arts for the long haul, you must be flexible and ready to evolve. Keep learning, adapting, and growing. Whether you’re 25 or 75, your art and career will always be changing—that makes it exciting. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and be willing to grow with every new phase of your journey.

Top 9 Pearls of Advice

1. Level Up Your Skills: Whether you're a dancer, actor, or musician, you've got to work hard to be the best at what you do. If you want to stand out, especially as someone who might not fit the "mainstream" mold, mastering your craft is key. Training gives you the tools to crush it when opportunities come your way.

2. Own Your Voice: Don’t be afraid to step up and be yourself—on stage and in life. Your voice is your power, and it’s unique to you. Find it, use it, and don’t let fear or expectations silence you. The world needs to hear what you’ve got to say.

3. Make Your Own Lane: Don’t sit around waiting for the perfect role or job to fall into your lap. If there’s something you want to do, create it. Write your own songs, tell your own stories, and make your own path—this is how you stay true to yourself and avoid being boxed in.

4. Think Bigger Than Just You: It’s not just about building your own career—get involved in what’s happening around you. The world is full of big issues, and your art can actually make a difference. Use your talent to be part of something bigger, and you’ll find more meaning in what you create.

5. Lean on Your People: Your community is your lifeline. Surround yourself with people who support you and your vision, and don’t be afraid to lean on them when things get tough. Art is a way to heal both yourself and others, so use your community to grow and thrive.

6. Push the Limits: Don’t just stick to the roles or gigs people give you—take risks and push yourself beyond what’s expected. Experiment, fail, and try again. The more you challenge yourself, the more you’ll grow as an artist.

7. Hustle Smart: It’s tough to make a living doing only art, so don’t stress if you need a side hustle. Some of the best artists balance their creative work with other gigs. The key is to keep creating, no matter what. The real success is staying in the game and doing what you love.

8. Be the Boss: Being an artist today means more than just performing. Learn how to produce your own projects, build a team, and manage your career. It’s not just about talent—it’s about being able to make things happen for yourself.

9. Play the Long Game: If you want to stay in the arts long-term, you’ve got to be flexible and ready to evolve. Keep learning, adapting, and growing. Whether you're 25 or 75, your art and career are always changing, which keeps it exciting.

Full Discussion with Nobuko Miyamoto in Q&A form

CATS: Nobuko, thank you so much for joining us today. Your career as an artist, activist, and artistic director has spanned decades, and you’ve broken so many barriers for AAPI artists. Can you start by sharing what it was like to be an Asian American artist in mainstream spaces early in your career?

Nobuko Miyamoto: Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be here. My journey really started much earlier than my time in mainstream productions. I was born in 1939, and as a child, my family and I were sent to Japanese American concentration camps during World War II. That early experience of displacement, of not having a sense of place, deeply affected me. But music and dance became my way of finding stability and expressing emotions that I couldn’t otherwise process.

When we returned to Los Angeles after the war, I began serious dance training, and by the time I was 15, I started landing roles in major productions like The King and I and Flower Drum Song. However, as an Asian American, the reality was that opportunities were limited. I remember being told that I had to be "twice as good" to even be considered, simply because of what I looked like. It was a harsh truth to face as a teenager, but it also motivated me to push harder.

CATS: That’s a message many young artists of color hear—this idea that you have to work twice as hard to get half as far. How did you navigate that pressure, and what advice would you give to young AAPI artists and their families as they begin to navigate these challenges?

Nobuko: It’s true, and it’s something I think a lot of AAPI artists still face today. My advice to young artists and their families is this: yes, there are challenges, but with the right mindset and support, those challenges can be overcome. First, invest in your training. It’s crucial to have a strong foundation—whether that’s in dance, acting, music, or another art form. The more tools you have, the more versatile you’ll be, which will open up more opportunities for you.

But just as important is resilience. The reality is, this path is not easy. There will be rejections, and there will be moments when you feel like you don’t belong. But that’s where community comes in. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who understand your experience. That support will carry you through the hard times.

Families, especially, play a big role. I was fortunate that my parents supported my love for dance even though they couldn’t pursue their own artistic dreams. For families of prospective artists, my message is this: encourage your child’s passion, but also prepare them for the realities of the industry. Let them know that it takes time, hard work, and persistence to succeed. Your belief in them can make all the difference.

CATS: Your family’s support clearly played a big role in your journey. But there was a moment when you started to question the roles you were being offered in the industry. Can you talk about how that led to your transition into activism and creating your own work?

Nobuko: Yes, absolutely. In the late 1950s, I was performing on Broadway in Flower Drum Song, and I started to feel uneasy about the roles available to me as an Asian American woman. One particular moment stuck with me. We were performing a number called “Chop Suey,” and I realized that the show wasn’t really for us—it was for white audiences. It was designed to be consumed by people who saw us as “exotic.” That was a turning point for me. I began asking, “Where are our stories? Who is telling them?”

This questioning led me toward activism. In the late 1960s, during the height of the Vietnam War, I began working with Asian American political groups and realized that art could be a powerful tool for change. I met Chris Iijima, and together with Charlie Chin, we started writing and performing protest music that reflected the Asian American experience. It wasn’t about selling records or getting famous. It was about using our art to give voice to our community, to tell the stories that weren’t being told.

CATS: That shift toward using art for social change is such an important part of your legacy. What advice would you give to young AAPI artists who may feel the pressure to “make it” in a commercial sense but also want to stay true to their values?

Nobuko: It’s a delicate balance, and I understand the pressure young artists feel to be commercially successful. My advice is to define success on your own terms. The industry will try to box you in, but if you’re clear about what you want to say and what you stand for, you’ll have more control over your career.

For me, the turning point was realizing that I didn’t have to wait for someone to offer me a role—I could create my own work. That’s something I encourage young artists to do today. Whether you’re writing a play, composing music, or making a film, don’t wait for permission. Take ownership of your story, and build your own platform.

But also, be realistic about the financial aspect. It’s hard to make a living solely through art, and that’s okay. You may need to take on other jobs to support yourself, and that’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t mean you’re not a real artist. The key is to keep creating, whether or not it’s your full-time gig. Longevity in the arts is about continuing to grow and evolve, even when the world tells you it’s not possible.

CATS: I think that’s an important point for families to hear as well—being an artist doesn’t always mean financial stability, especially right away. How did you navigate that in your own career, especially as someone who was both an artist and an activist?

Nobuko: It was definitely a challenge, especially because my work wasn’t commercial. When I started working with Chris and Charlie, we were traveling across the country, performing protest music at rallies, schools, and community events. We weren’t making any money, but it didn’t matter to us because we believed in what we were doing. We were troubadours for the movement, and we found ways to make it work. Sometimes, people in the community would help us out by giving us a place to stay or providing meals.

When I founded Great Leap in 1978, it was because I realized that if I wanted to continue creating work that reflected our stories, I needed a sustainable structure. Running a nonprofit was a whole new learning curve, but it allowed us to get grants, build a team, and keep producing art that mattered. It also meant that I wasn’t just an artist—I became an administrator, a grant writer, and a producer. It was a lot of work, but it gave me the freedom to keep creating on my own terms.

For young artists and their families, I think it’s important to understand that sometimes being an artist means wearing many hats. You might not just be performing or creating—you might also need to learn how to run a business, promote yourself, or manage a team. It’s all part of the journey.

CATS: That’s great advice. You’ve spoken a lot about community, and I know that’s central to your work. How important is community for young artists, and how can families support that aspect of their development?

Nobuko: Community is everything. For me, being part of a community of artists and activists has been essential. It’s where I found support, collaboration, and inspiration. When you’re part of a community, you’re not alone in facing the challenges of being an artist, especially as an AAPI artist. You have people who understand your experiences, who can lift you up when things get tough, and who can challenge you to grow.

For young artists, I would say seek out that community, whether it’s through a local arts organization, an activist group, or even an online network. Collaboration is key to staying connected and inspired.

Families can play a big role here too. Support your child in finding these networks, and encourage them to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s not just about individual success—it’s about building a movement, about creating art that reflects the world we live in and helps to change it for the better.

CATS: You’ve offered so much wisdom today, Nobuko. As we wrap up, what final message would you like to leave with young AAPI artists and their families as they navigate the realities of being an artist?

Nobuko: I’d say, first and foremost, don’t be afraid to dream big but also prepare for the realities of the journey. Being an artist takes resilience, determination, and a willingness to push through obstacles. It won’t always be easy, and success may not come in the way you expect. But if you stay true to your vision, if you continue to grow, and if you build a strong community around you, you will find your place in this world.

To the families, your support is invaluable. Believing in your child’s dreams, helping them navigate the ups and downs, and encouraging them to be part of a larger community can make all the difference in their journey. Art is a powerful force for change, and we need more AAPI voices to tell their stories, now more than ever.