Miki Yamashita

After studying opera at New England Conservatory of Music, the Massachusetts native worked steadily in musical theatre, frequently playing Tuptim in "The King and I," and Maria in "West Side Story" at respected regional theaters. Miki played Connie in "A Chorus Line" at Paper Mill Playhouse, and soon transitioned to guest-starring roles on television, including Law & Order (1990), As the World Turns (1956), and One Life to Live (1968). A seasoned comedic actress, Miki performed professionally as an improv/sketch comic at The Walt Disney World Resort. She is the playwright and performer of "The Geisha Next Door," a one-woman comedy that draws humorous parallels between the life of a traditional Japanese geisha and a modern-day Japanese American actress. Miki has performed the piece Off-off Broadway, and for PSNBC. She currently books the show at colleges and universities across the country. Miki created and co-hosted the cable talk-show "Lutz Chat with Miki and Peter," an over-the-top send-up of the world of competitive figure-skating. Although the grass-roots project was shot on her co-host's Sony camcorder and aired on Manhattan Public Access, the show became a cult-hit and drew attention from The Village Voice, which called it "the funniest half-hour on TV." Miki has starred as herself in a comedy pilot for the Oxygen Network. She continues to work in film, television, theater, and corporate events.