SHUSAKU FUTAMURA SCENOGRAPHY
Biography
Shusaku Futamura is one of Japan’s leading scenographers. He has designed over 300 productions in Japan and internationally. His works have received major awards including the Yomiuri Theatre Award (2015, 2007), the Kinokuniya Theatre Award (2013), and the Kisaku Ito Award (2011).
In 2025, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, a prestigious honor awarded by the Emperor of Japan to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts and culture. He served as a jury member for the Theatre Architecture Competition at World Stage Design 2025 and presented Tactile Models: An Initiative for the Future of the Performing Arts at the WSD Scenofest, introducing Japan’s innovative approach that connects theatre accessibility with scenography. He also served as a curator for the Student Exhibition at the PQ2019 and 2023.
Futamura trained in scenography at MA Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. His theatre designs include The Inheritance, Chimerica, Oresteia, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Phèdre, 1984, Peer Gynt, and The Glass Menagerie.
His musical designs include Beetlejuice, Elisabeth, Finding Neverland, Annie, Cabaret, Fun Home, The Producers, Romeo and Juliette, Death Note, and Sunset Boulevard.
His opera designs include Turandot, Nabucco, Il Trovatore, La Bohème, Giulio Cesare, and Yashagaike.
He is Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the College of Arts, Tamagawa University. He also serves as Chair of the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians and as a Board Member of the OISTAT Japan Centre.
Curriculum Vitae
This is a list of excerpts from recent works.
2023
2026
2025
2024
Musical "Welcome to the Quiet Room" Directed by: Suzuki Matsuo Theater: Theater MILANO-Za
"Peter and Alice" Directed by: Hirotaka Kumabayashi Theatre: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
Musical "Ladybeth" Directed by: Shuichiro Koike Venue: Nissay Theatre
"The Caucasian Chalk Circle" Directed by: Misaki Setoyama Venue: Setagaya Public Theatre
Musical "Elisabeth" Directed by: Shuichiro Koike Venue: Theatre Orb
"Explosive Chushingura" Directed by Hidenori Inoue Theater: Shinbashi Enbujo and others "The Eyes of Ashura Castle" Directed by Naoko Koyanagi Theater: Takarazuka Grand Theater
"The Cheerful Ghost" Directed by: Hirotaka Kumabayashi Venue: Theatre Crea
Musical "Something Rotten" Directed by Yuichi Fukuda Venue: Tokyo International Forum
Musical "Beetlejuice" Directed by: Yuichi Fukuda Venue: Nissay Theatre
Musical "Touken Ranbu ~Saka Ryuuhito~" Directed by: Isamu Kayano Venue: TOKYO DOME CITY HALL
K-Ballet "Mermaid" Direction and choreography: Tetsuya Kumakawa Venue: Bunkamura Orchard Hall Review "Violetopia" Written and directed by Tamako Sashida Venue: Takarazuka Grand Theatre "Inheritance" Direction: Hirotaka Kumabayashi Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
"Orlando" Directed by Tamiya Kuriyama Theatre : Parco Theatre
Musical "Groundhog Day" Directed by Yuichi Fukuda Venue: Tokyo International Forum "Medicine" Directed by Akira Shirai Venue: Theatre Tram
Musical "In This Corner of the World" Directed by: Kazutaka Ueda Venue: Nissay Theatre
Opera "The Two Foscari" Directed by Shugo Ika Theatre: New National Theatre Opera House
Opera "Medea" Directed by Tamiya Kuriyama Venue: Nissay Theatre
Musical "King Arthur" Directed by O'Lupina Theatre: New National Theatre, Playhouse
"Fleeting Love" (Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe performance) Directed by: Naoko Koyanagi Venue: Takarazuka Grand Theater