The 3Rs with Matthew Jessner – Ep. 3: Artistic Excellence Coupled with Ethical Business with James Tanabe
As part of our PRO Exclusive content, we introduce a new series hosted by Matthew Jessner called The 3 R’s, Review, Rethink, Regenerate.
Matthew will draw upon his decades of experience in the performing arts world and the circus world in particular, inviting colleagues to discuss themes based around reviewing policies, rethinking paradigms and regenerating the performing arts industry.
In Episode 3, Matthew speaks with James Tanabe. A street performer and circus artist, James is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the École Nationale de Cirque, and Wharton Business School. From 2009-2019, he served as artistic director for Cirque du Soleil touring shows,senior director of business & creative strategy, and senior consultant in human performance innovation. He has also worked at the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company as a consultant and a global live entertainment expert. Since 2019, he has been providing international live entertainment business development and investment support to international live entertainment firms and leads creative and financial due diligence on global live entertainment M&A transactions for financial players considering significant investments in the sector. As an executive producer with experience developing projects in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, Tanabe strives to develop financially, culturally, operationally, artistically, and environmentally sustainable live entertainment projects.
His connection to circus arts began with the Cirque du Soleil show Saltimbanco of which he was resident artistic director for almost five years on tour in Europe and South America.
Matthew has developed extensive and diverse experience in creative production and operating shows both touring and extravagant resident shows such as The House of Dancing Water with Dragone.
His studies include music and lyric opera.
When not directing, Matthew teaches Qigong in multiple styles.
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