Yasu Ishida
Magic Story Artist
ABOUT
BIO
Yasu Ishida was born in Ube, Japan. Inspired by the movie "Patch Adams", he came to the U.S. to become a professional hospital clown. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre for Young Audiences, and also graduated from the Chavez Studio of Magic, the most prestigious magic school in the world.
Yasu has been working with kids all over the county including at Disney Summer Stage Kids in New York, the Florida Storytelling Festival, the Hawaii Book & Music Festival, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.
He has won fellowships from the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) and the Don and Elizabeth Doyle Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, among others.
He is also founding Artistic Director of a storytelling troupe, Bento Rakugo which was featured during National Library Week 2013.
Now he lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his wife Jess and their dog June.
The 2018 Florida Storytelling Festival Featured Storyteller
The 2017 National Library Week Featured Performer
The 2014 International Performing Art for Youth Jim Rye Fellowship Recipient
The 2013 Don & Elizabeth Doyle Fellowship Recipient
from American Alliance for Theatre & Education
The 2013 RAW Honolulu Performing Artist of the Year Nominee
Clients
Disney Summer Stage Kids
Florida Storytelling Festival
Hawaii Talk Story Festival
Touhill Performing Art Center
Hawaii Book & Music Festival
Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County
Honolulu Theatre for Youth
Stage Left
Hawaii Theatre
Waikiki Aquarium
Honolulu Nightmarket
Kansas State University
Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo
The National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Japan Bowl
The Japan Wizards
Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival
Japan-America Society of Washington DC
Japan-America Society of Hawaii
Japan-America Society of Minnesota
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California
Father Ryan Art Center
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
"Mr. Ishida's charisma, talent and rapport with children is so magical. "
- Kona Public Library
“His show is a great show for age 3 – 100!”
- Hitting Stage
"Everyone loved his Story Circus show! It was very satisfying to see the children so engrossed in his show. Everyone who I spoke to after the show, told me how much they enjoyed his program and the parents already asked me when he will return!"
- Aina Haina Public Library
“Yasu is truly a magical performer. He forms an immediate bond with the audience when telling stories, and his mischievous sense of humor and dexterity as a magician creates an atmosphere of surprise and delight throughout his shows.”
- Davis Robinson, Artistic Director of Beau Jest Moving Theatre
“Yasu Ishida's artistry and stage presence is superb!”
- Benjamin Sota, Artistic Director of Zany Umbrella Circus
“Yasu always amazes and delights his audiences.”
- Mary Roney, Educational Director at Waikiki Aquarium
Reviews