Courtney Ozaki-Durgin (she/her) is a third and fourth generation Japanese American independent creative producer, writer, and consultant of experience-based work.  Her original work ZOTTO - A Supernatural Japanese Folktale played to sold-out audiences in 2022-2023 and will tour to cities along the west coast with support from the National Theatre Project in 2026.  Additional original works include Inheritance Kitchen, The Library, and Tamiko and the Magical Violin. 

Courtney holds an MFA in Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College and BSM from the University of Colorado at Denver's College of Arts and Media.  As Creative Producer for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Off-Center she supported the U.S. and regional premieres of immersive experiences including The Infinite, DARKFIELD, and Path Entertainment's Monopoly Lifesized: Touring Edition and development workshops for Third Rail Projects, Regan Linton, and Culture House Immersive.  She has also produced new and touring works with Joyce Theater Productions (Wendy Whelan's Restless Creature and Daniil Simkin's INTENSIO), the inaugural PROTOTYPE Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music, KAMBARA+ Arts, and ADH Theatricals.   

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Courtney is also the founder of the Japanese Arts Network, a national resource supporting and advancing Japanese artists and culture in America partnering with artists, audiences, institutions and stakeholders to cultivate intentional connections through experience-based programs and initiatives. 

As a professional taiko (Japanese drum) artist, Courtney has also performed across the globe for over 25 years; she currently plays regularly with taiko hip-hop ensemble Cultural Mixtape and Mirai Daiko.   

Courtney currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors of the Western Arts Alliance, on the Advisory Board for the Creative Independent Producers Alliance, and as Co-Chair of the U.S. Japan Council Mountain Region. She is an active community leader and was the recipient of the 2024 JEDI Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture, the 2023 CU Denver College of Arts and Media Distinguished Alumni Award, and the 2025 Asian American Heroes of Colorado Award from Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.