Brooklyn-born Robert Allan Ackerman first landed in Japan in 1990 to direct "Mystery of the Rose Bouquet" by Manuel Puig at the Benisan Pit in Tokyo. Several years later, the American became an associate director of Theater Project Tokyo (TPT), which was founded in 1993 by Hitoshi Kadoi and English director David Leveaux to present international productions to Japanese audiences. After a few years, Ackerman started to do almost all his stage work here while confining his film and TV drama activities to the United States.
Now the Emmy-winning dramatist has formalized his love affair with Japan by founding The Company, a new Japanese theater company, and devoting his energy full-time to working locally. With his formation of The Company, Ackerman is moving to even greater prominence in Japan.
In preparation for The Company's latest performance, the Japanese premiere of 1965's "Balm in Gilead" by U.S. playwright Lanford Wilson, its Tokyo rehearsal studio was positively brimming with the enthusiastic energy of 30 young actors preparing for a work that still rings true in its treatment of lower-class youths.