Who is Yumi Umiumare?
A Japanese-born Butoh dancer, performance maker, choreographer in Melbourne.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would sleep more and stay still more!
Who inspires you and why?
My four-year-old niece who can sing and dance fearlessly, and is relentlessly happy!
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would create an “out of range”, free range day once a week (or month) for the world, so the internet would stop and we’d have to connect physically, mentally, psychically… I wonder what would happen.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Going to Japanese hot springs or beautiful, calm beach in Australia, because I love water both hot and cold!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
If people come here and they are not from Australia, I’d take them to bush in the remote countryside, because I love nature and the vast landscape here in Australia. If they are Japanese people, I will also take them to an Ozzie pub, which would be quite exotic for them!
What are you currently reading?
Reading this question now!
What are you currently listening to?
I actually keep listening the music we are going to use in our show, White Day Dream – composed by Dan West.
Happiness is?
Loving ourselves and others, eating yummy food, breathing fresh air, and connecting with nature!
What does the future hold for you?
I feel like the future cannot hold me, unless I live in this present moment fully.
Yumi is directing and choreographing White Day Dream for Weave Movement Theatre at fortyfivedownstairs: 28 October – 6 November 2016. For more information, visit: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com for details.
Image: Yumi Umiumare