Many a young international resident of Tokyo sooner or later finds his way to Tokyo International Players. Jamie McInnes' way was through going to see a performance. He followed on by auditioning for the next production. "Then I became involved," he said. He brought to TIP a professional edge of his own, acquired when in America, amongst other activities, he managed and developed several arts organizations. For its part, TIP recognized in Jamie not only his skill as an actor and director, but also the additional value of his training and experience in financial affairs. Jamie is now vice president of the volunteer organization TIP.

Born in Texas, Jamie has an American mother and a British father who was a graduate of Harvard University. Jamie was a small child when his father was appointed professor in the University of Manchester and took the family to England. When his father gave up academia in favor of business, the family moved to Kuwait. Jamie spent much of his boyhood there, remembering it now as "an interesting place to live." He was barely 10 when the family returned to the U.S. to make their home in a Boston suburb.

As his father had done, Jamie graduated from Harvard. At each step in his education he has made the grade in schools of the highest repute. "Originally I wanted to be an actor," he said. "At high school, though, I was interested in biochemistry, and took my degree in biochemical sciences. I soon found out that the laboratory was not for me. I decided to research international relations, and went over to Scotland to take my master's degree at the University of St. Andrews." He was 22 in 1989 when he made his first visit to Japan.

This came about because he was still not sure what he wanted to do. He had some friends from St. Andrews who were here, and they suggested he should come to Japan. Jamie taught English in Tokyo, with some of his classes expressly for Japanese managers. This connection helped Jamie realize that he was drawn to management consulting.

"In the States again, I worked for some years as a management consultant," he said. "I founded and managed JW Productions, a regional theater company which produced dramatic works in a professional theater environment. As director and producer, I was able to bring 12 full-scale productions to fruition over three years. I was also general manager for The Company Theater Center for the Arts. There I led the effort to redevelop a property to accommodate several arts organizations, one being a satellite school for the Boston Ballet. I was also involved with the development of Boston Pictures, and coproduced two independent films with them in the early 1990s."

At the same time, Jamie said, "I wanted to go back to school." He went to England again, to enroll at Suffolk University and earn a master's degree in finance. He went on to gain his qualification as a chartered financial analyst. "Then," he said, "I needed to decide where and how to use my degree."

Jamie joined Putnam Investments of Boston, where in institutional business he was employed in different capacities, which included systems, sales and marketing. He moved on to a startup Internet firm, where he was responsible for product development. Throughout these years, he continued to do some acting. He came again to Japan in 2002, having been head-hunted by CIGNA International of the U.S.

"I arrived as the CIO for the joint-venture defined contribution pension company owned by Sompo Japan and CIGNA," Jamie said. "After CIGNA exited the pension market, I continued as an executive officer in market development with Sompo DC Securities. I enjoy the business challenge here, and the opportunity I have to explore Japan and its culture."

Jamie, newly married, brought his wife with him. Their first baby is due to be born in Japan.

For the first time in a dozen years, Jamie is again directing a theatrical production, this one for TIP. He said, "It is tremendously enjoyable, as I am working with a very talented cast and a staff of dedicated and skilled designers." The production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" will be presented as the Tokyo American Club from Jan. 28 to 30. To commemorate the 30 years of TIP's association with the club, the show on Saturday the 29th will be a dinner-theater event, "an exceptional dining experience at the club for members and nonmembers alike." Jamie said.