演劇と言う共通語
THE UNITED LANGUAGE OF THEATRE
Who We Are
Za Trans-Pacific Productions is a Seattle-based company that promotes the work of contemporary Japanese and Japanese-American playwrights and theater artists, mentors new and developing Japanese and Japanese-American voices in the theater, and strives to build an artistic community across the Pacific. "Za" is a Japanese word for troupe, theatre, seats, and constellation (also sometimes the way Japanese people pronounce the word "the"). Our mission is to be the bridge between Japan and the U.S. through theatre, and to broaden our collective vision as artists and people.
What We Do
Producing & Directing
We produce, direct, and promote the work of contemporary Japanese and Japanese-American playwrights and theater artists, American works infused with Japanese cultural flavor, and multilingual and multicultural theatre productions with other theatre companies. We are also interested in partnering with Japanese musicians, visual artists, chefs, bakers, and others in an effort to enrich our audience and participant experiences.
Directing Portfolio: mimikatano.com
Two-time Gregory Award nominee
Director of Outstanding Production of the Year winner, 2024
Artist Exchange
We create opportunities and facilitate artist exchanges between Japan and the U.S. to broaden the reach of theatre professionals in
both countries.
Past and present partners include:
Joy Kids Tokyo
Urinko Gekidan of Nagoya
Piccolo Theatre of Kobe
Cultural Consulting & Dramaturgy
We provide a deeper understanding of the cultural context of Japan through dramaturgy and cultural consultation for theatrical productions.
Service includes coaching on Japanese manners and movement (shosa), pronounciation of Japanese words, and cultural accuracy on prduction design.
Past projects include:
Seattle Children's Museum: Jump to Japan Exhibit
Book-It All Over: Sadako and the Thousand Cranes
Newburyport Children's Theatre (MA):
Masque of Beauty and the Beast
Translation
We have expertise in dialogue and humor in Japanese and English. We translate scripts, copy, and speeches; generate and proofread subtitles; and provide live translation for
in-person events.
Past projects include:
Kamishibai No Ta-chan, Seattle Tour: Simultaneous performance translation
Niwa Gekidan Penino at On The Boards:
Post performance Q&A, Subtitle proof
About the Founder
Mimi Katano
I came to the U.S. from Tokyo in 1983 and never left. I finished high school in California before moving to Boston for college and graduate school. I have been very fortunate to be able to pursue training and a career in American theatre. Since moving to Seattle I have come to appreciate my Japanese heritage even more, as well as the vibrant and welcoming theatre community here. With the skills and life experience I have acquired in producing, directing, choreography, teaching, and performing, I am excited to find opportunities to connect my two cultures. In doing artist exchange work, I have seen artists from both sides of the Pacific thrill at sharing their culture and their craft, and take that excitement and inspiration back to their work.
I would be honored to find those moments with you.
Photo credit: Joe Iano
Let's collaborate!
Logo design by Takamitsu Terukina | Photo credits: Rick Wong/Trina B. Wright/Urinko Theatre/Joe Iano
© 2025 Za Trans-Pacific Productions LLC. All rights reserved.