Actress Megumi Okina talks to students about the importance of expressing yourself in your own way.
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On Thursday, June 11, we invited actress Megumi Okina to hold a special dialogue lecture (hosted by College of Performing and Visual Arts) at the Tokyo Hinatayama Campus. This was Okina's first time teaching at a university. Under the theme "Living as an Artist—From Student Days to Present as a Mother," a lecture based on her own experiences and a panel discussion with students were held with many students, including College of Performing and Visual Arts.
The first half was conducted in a conversation format with Professor Toshihiko Tabuchi of College of Performing and Visual Arts. He spoke candidly about things he loved since childhood, the background of his acting debut, and the struggles he experienced during his teenage years.
When asked how she coped with the period when she kept failing auditions, she recalled, "I'm fundamentally a very competitive person. I kept thinking about why things didn't work out," and revealed her state of mind at the time, saying, "I always had this unfounded confidence that I would be alright."
Furthermore, she introduced the activities of "Maru no WA," a volunteer group that she heads. She explained that through food assistance via a food bank and creating a place for local residents to interact, the group fosters connections across generations with the participation of student volunteers. She expressed her feelings about the activities, saying, "People cannot live alone. I have always wanted to be involved in activities like this someday."
In the latter half, a panel discussion was held with students. When Reito Kobayashi (College of Performing and Visual Arts, 2nd year), who aspires to become an actor, asked, "What has been the biggest obstacle so far?", he replied, "Balancing school and school was tough, but I overcame it with a strong determination to do it." "There are many things you can only learn on set. You can see things through experience," he emphasized, emphasizing the importance of continuing to take on challenges.
Ms. Eika Kawamoto (College of Arts and Sciences, 4th year), who has secured a job at a video production company, asked about her relationship with staff during the production process. Ms. Okina said, "Of course, I want to work again with people who not only keep time and appointments, but also have high aspirations for the work and are considerate of those around them," emphasizing the importance of building trust between performers and staff.
When asked how to overcome differences in opinion regarding a project, he replied, "It's important to clearly communicate your own feelings. However, since a film is also the director's work, it's necessary to compromise. It's important to proceed while communicating with your colleagues."
Wakaba Kobayashi (College of Global Communication 3rd year) asked about what she keeps in mind to understand different values. Okina explained that when preparing for a role, she "reads the script as if meeting a single character." She emphasized the importance of repeatedly reading the overall flow of the work and the background of the role, deepening understanding until she is fully satisfied.
One audience member shared their concern about "being too concerned about what others think." In response, Okina advised, "I want you to immerse yourself in what you love so much that you forget about what others think." She emphasized the importance of cherishing one's own sensibilities and values, especially in this age where it's easy to compare oneself to others due to the spread of social media.
At the end of the approximately 100-minute lecture, he sent a message to the students saying, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I think it's wonderful to have individuality, including both good and bad points." He also reflected, "I was surprised to find that there were more students than I imagined who were worried about what others thought, partly due to the influence of social media," and encouraged them, "Don't worry about what others think, and express what you have. Don't be afraid to express yourself, be honest with your sensibilities and feelings, and cherish your individuality."
As an actress, mother, and performer, Ms. Okina has accumulated diverse experiences, and her words provided a valuable opportunity for students, who are grappling with anxieties about the future and thinking about their career paths, to re-examine the importance of living true to themselves.
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Obirin Gakuen, General Planning Department, Public Relations Section
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