About International Creations in Performing Arts

An observer was assigned to each international creation in performing arts to record the process leading up to the completion of the production. Each observer examined what happened behind the scenes of the work from various angles, including interviews with those on the production side and observations of the production process. Their reports give a full picture of the leadup to the completion of the international coproductions.

A compilation of all the reports can be found below.

FY2021 International Creations in Performing Arts Process Observer Reports【PDF: 7.9MB】

Interviews with Directors, Choreographers, and Translators

(c) HIRAO Masashi

• A project based on a 20-year-long friendship with HIRATA Oriza
  Pascal RAMBERT (”KOTATSU”)【PDF: 66KB】
• Theater achieving a universality that goes beyond the unique qualities of countries
  Pascal RAMBERT and HIRANO Akihito (”KOTATSU”)【PDF: 239KB】
• Brought closer to Chekhov by Japan
  Daniel JEANNETEAU (“The Cherry Orchard”)【PDF: 324KB】
• A project spanning 10 or 20 years
  ONODERA Shuji (“TOGE”)【PDF: 141KB】

Interviews with Cast Members

• Zoom, masks, and face shields: Overcoming the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rehearsal spaces
  OTA Hiroshi, CHINEN Mima, and MORI Issei (“KOTATSU”)【PDF: 214B】
• Being able to communicate despite speaking different languages
  LEE Ren Xin, LIU Juichu, KAJIHARA Akiko, FUJITA Momoko, and SAKIYAMA Rina (“TOGE”)【PDF: 142KB】

The Production Process

• A work unique to and symbolic of the COVID-19 era: Background and issues
  OSHITA Yoshiyuki (“The Digital Home”)【PDF: 333KB】
• The possibilities and limits of online creation—Aiming for international exchange and the creation of a work that transcends genres
  KUREMIYA Yurika (“Fierce 5”) 【PDF: 308KB】
• Moments of encounters and collisions between different values and layers, followed by synthesis SHIMANUKI Taisuke (“Work-In-Progress for Music Theatre Production”)【PDF: 350MB】
• A multilingual adaptation conveyed through the tone and rhythm of the actors’ words, as well as their expressions
  HORIKIRI Katsuhiro (“The Cherry Orchard”)【PDF: 71KB】
• Moving forward thanks to a deep understanding of the project’s artistic importance despite implementation being threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic
  UCHINO Tadashi (“Electra”)【PDF: 180KB】
• From determining the title and concept of the work to rehearsals
  TAKAHASHI Ayako (“TOGE”) 【PDF: 142KB】
• >A work based on a message of “deep resonance” on “opposite sides of the world”
  MINAMIDE Kazuyo (“Sky Bridge”)【PDF: 385KB】

The Performances

(c) KATO Kazuya

(c) Suzuki Jouji

• Performances with no audience members following the cancellation of a theater festival due to the declaration of a state of emergency
  YOKOBORI Masahiko (“KOTATSU”) 【PDF: 239KB】
• An online production giving audiences glimpses into the realities of aging and caregiving in Japanese and British society
  OSHITA Yoshiyuki (“The Digital Home”)【PDF: 211KB】
• Nana korobi ya oki (“falling seven times and getting up eight times”): A universal message of hope to audiences
  KUREMIYA Yurika (“Fierce 5”) 【PDF: 196KB】
• Hints for interdisciplinary international coproductions
  SHIMANUKI Taisuke (“Work-In-Progress for Music Theatre Production”)【PDF: 180KB】
• Adapting a play with the awareness that the world is currently undergoing a historic transformation
  HORIKIRI Katsuhiro (“The Cherry Orchard”)【PDF: 216KB】
• Overcoming various obstacles to achieve a production far beyond expectations
  UCHINO Tadashi (“Electra”) 【PDF: 197KB】
• A stage production made possible by complex staff and cast work
  TAKAHASHI Ayako (“TOGE”)【PDF: 148KB】
• The possibilities of international collaboration (cooperation) conducted remotely
  MINAMIDE Kazuyo (“Sky Bridge”)【PDF: 279KB】

Reflections of Observers

(c) Purnati Indonesia. 2021

• Reflections to be used for future international coproductions
  OSHITA Yoshiyuki (“The Digital Home”) 【PDF: 59KB】
• Updating the Japanese performing arts scene
  KUREMIYA Yurika (“Fierce 5”) 【PDF: 108KB】
• A model for inviting artists to Japan from overseas despite entry restrictions
  HORIKIRI Katsuhiro (“The Cherry Orchard”)【PDF: 212KB】
• The genre framework of intercultural theater
  UCHINO Tadashi (“Electra”)【PDF: 170KB】
• A summary of interviews about taking on the motif of the work
  TAKAHASHI Ayako (“TOGE”)【PDF: 70KB】