Meet Ryoka Matsumoto | Actor & Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryoka Matsumoto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryoka, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Because it’s the only thing that has ever made me feel truly alive.

I first discovered that feeling when I was eight years old and performed in the musical Annie. It was my first time on stage, and I remember how magical it felt to express myself through a character. During the curtain call, when the audience applauded, I felt a rush through my entire body—a mix of excitement, pride, and connection. That moment left a deep impression on me, and I knew right then that I wanted to keep performing for as long as I could.

Since then, I’ve continued to explore different ways of expressing myself through dance, music, and acting. I especially loved performing at my dance school’s recitals, where I could truly let go and be myself. In middle school, I started playing the guitar and began studying music more seriously. I was fascinated by how the same song could feel completely different depending on how it was arranged. That experience taught me that expression is freedom—it’s a way of shaping something to reflect who you are.

After moving to New York, I came to see both the beauty and the difficulty of pursuing this path. Life here can be unpredictable, overwhelming, and intense—but even on the hard days, I always come back to that same feeling I had as a child on stage. I remind myself that I chose this because it makes me feel alive, and that feeling is something I want to hold onto.

I also realized that what I truly want is to be part of performances that can offer comfort, joy, or even a brief escape to someone watching. As an audience member myself, I’ve had moments where I watched a performance and thought, “This is the real thing. This artist is incredible.” And in those moments, I felt a kind of energy that gave me hope. That’s the kind of energy I want to give to others.

Especially when it comes to comedy or entertainment, I think making people laugh is one of the hardest—and most powerful—things you can do. But when people who’ve trained seriously pour their time, effort, and care into creating something truly enjoyable, the result can be more than just fun. It becomes something deeply moving and unforgettable.

That’s why I don’t want to overthink it too much. I want to keep asking myself, honestly and seriously, “How can I bring joy to the people in front of me?” That’s the kind of artist I want to become, and that’s why I chose a creative life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m one of the founding members of Edamovement Lab, a creative collective that focuses on expression without relying on language. Our goal is to create performances that can resonate with anyone, no matter where they’re from or what language they speak. We believe that movement, music, and the energy of the performers can cross cultural and linguistic barriers and reach people’s hearts directly.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy. I’ve faced a lot of challenges and doubts along the way. But what I’ve realized, especially since coming to New York, is that when you really want to create something, there are so many people who will step up to help you. I feel like the community around me has been such a big part of how I’ve been able to keep going and growing.

That’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far: you don’t have to do it all alone. Collaboration and connection are just as important as talent or ambition. I’m grateful for the people who have supported me, and for every opportunity to share stories that don’t rely on words.

What I want the world to know is that art can be a bridge—something that brings people together beyond language, culture, or background. And I want to keep exploring that idea, sharing performances that remind us how much we can connect through the simple act of expression.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would definitely take them to see a Broadway musical. Every time a friend visits, I ask what kind of shows they like and then recommend the best one for the current season. One thing I love about musicals here is how different the atmosphere is from Japan—it’s much more lively, and the audience is part of the show, cheering and clapping along. Even if I’ve seen the same show before, it always feels like a brand new experience, and my friends always love it.

I’d also make sure we spend some time at Central Park, enjoying the open space and just relaxing. And for food, we’d definitely stop at 7th Street Burger. Their burgers and loaded fries are always a hit. Walking around New York is such a fun experience in itself—there’s always something interesting to see, and there are so many little parks to take a break and just soak in the city vibe. In summer, I love grabbing an iced coffee and just people-watching in the park.

If we had a full week, I’d plan a little getaway outside the city too. I love taking the train from Grand Central to Upstate New York. One of my favorite spots is Beacon. It’s a beautiful town where you can really feel close to nature, and the Dia Beacon museum there is incredible. Spending a day surrounded by art and nature always feels so refreshing.

That’s my little itinerary—some classic New York moments and a chance to see the quieter, more peaceful side of the area too!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to give a huge shoutout to my parents. They’ve always supported me in everything I wanted to do, ever since I was little. When I told them I wanted to study in New York, they didn’t hesitate to cheer me on and helped make it happen. Their trust and encouragement gave me the strength to take that leap.

I’m also deeply grateful for my friends. Even though many of them are back in Japan, far away and living in completely different time zones and environments, they continue to care about me and support what I do. Every time I perform, they send messages, react to my updates, and genuinely celebrate with me. When I started Edamovement Lab, they followed our page right away, asked how they could watch our show, and made me realize again how lucky I am to have such warm and supportive people in my life, even from across the ocean.

I also want to recognize the amazing friends I’ve made here in New York. We support each other through everything—from daily life challenges to creative projects—and I’m so thankful for the connections we’ve built.

And of course, I want to thank Edamovement Lab, the creative collective I co-founded. It’s been such a meaningful part of my journey. Creating and performing together has brought me so much joy, and I couldn’t have done it without the other founding members, Fuka and Tamaki. I’m truly grateful to them both for sharing their passion, creativity, and friendship.

Instagram: ＠ponryoka

Other: Edamovement Lab @edamovement

Image Credits
“Next Stop, New York! ” by Suitcase of Dreams, Photographs by Max Martínez
“US” by Charly Wenzel, photographs by Vanessa Gonzalez-Bunster