(TOP image) Exterior of Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center. The beauty of Kunio Maekawa's modernist architecture stands out against the blue sky.
The small theater space "Studio HIKARI" has been reopened at the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center. We will continue to support more young talents with "Magcal Theater"!
The Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Youth Center") opened in 1962 as a complex facility for young people. Since its opening, the facility has been working on programs that collaborate with school education sites, with the aim of fostering the ability of young people, including junior high and high school students, to think and act on their own. In particular, in the field of performing arts such as theater, dance, and traditional performing arts, we have been carrying out pioneering and large-scale activities for more than half a century. Since the time when the term "workshop" was not yet widely known, this facility is unique in Japan, and has a track record of not only providing appreciation education, but also supporting creative activities through hands-on training sessions. In recent years, we have also started conducting theater and dance workshops for young people who are facing social issues such as social withdrawal.
Also, from six years ago, in conjunction with the efforts of Kanagawa Prefecture's "Magcal (Magcal Culture, which attracts people through the charm of culture and art and creates vitality in the region)," a public recruitment program called "Magcal Theater" was launched. In addition, various programs are held at the youth center, including the ``Play School for Youth'' and the ``Magcal Performing Arts Academy.''
<Play School for Youth> “Man! Man! Sai! 2018ver,” (2018)
<Magcal Performing Arts Academy> “Bite Show ~BEST Edition~” (2018)
The Youth Center, which has a track record of providing a wide range of programs with the mission of promoting the healthy development of young people, has recently reopened a new small theater space specializing in the performing arts. The space previously used as a "multipurpose plaza" will be reborn as "Studio HIKARI" in March 2019! A flat space with a scale (approx. 130 seats) that is easy for young artists to use, and where they can freely arrange the audience seats and stage. Renovated into a small theater space. Many people in the theater industry are already looking forward to it.
In line with this, we have decided to expand the selection of ``Magcal Theater'', a public recruitment program that provides venues for young theater companies and companies, to approximately 40 organizations, twice the number of previous years. The Youth Center will continue to provide performance opportunities and further support for creative young talents.
Studio HIKARI's symbol/logotype. The nickname "HIKARI" was chosen in 2018 by a vote of facility users, mainly young people, and was an idea from junior high school students in the prefecture who belong to the drama club.
Choreographer and dancer Maki Morishita will appear at Studio HIKARI's renewal commemorative dance performance! The performance will be an omnibus performance that includes works from her solo debut 15 years ago to her most recent masterpieces. As the title suggests, ``Present, Past, Future Tenkomori,'' the unique and powerful Morishita world is likely to be the setting for Tenkomori. Studio HIKARI is attracting a lot of attention from performing arts artists and producers who are active at the forefront. As the opening approaches, we will report on its appeal, including comments from those involved (introduced in the second part).
◎Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center, a modernist building designed by Kunio Maekawa, located in the Momijizaka area
Sakuragicho is located in the center of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The youth center is located at the top of Momijizaka, a slope that runs straight toward Ise-cho, an area that can be called the mountain side of the Minato Mirai area facing the sea, where development is progressing. This is where the Kanagawa Magistrate's Office used to be. This is an area where you can feel the history of when the port first opened. The three buildings on the same site, including the Prefectural Library and the Prefectural Music Hall, were designed by Kunio Maekawa, a master of Japanese modernist architecture. It has high architectural value and is loved by Kanagawa residents as a cultural facility that Kanagawa Prefecture is proud of. Other spots in the area around Momijizaka include Iseyama Kotai Shrine, which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, Yokohama Noh Theater, and Kabeyama Park, where you can find the statue of Naosuke Ii.
This year marks the 57th anniversary of the youth center's opening. Located in one of the prefecture's most historic educational districts, it is a facility with a long history that has been involved in a variety of activities for more than half a century.
An overhead view of the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center. The entire facility consists of Momijizaka Hall with 800 seats, Studio HIKARI, a practice room, two training rooms, a theater resource room, a youth support plaza, etc.
Autumn maple leaves slope. This is the view along the slope leading to the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center.
In Kanagawa Prefecture, in order to bring out the appeal of the prefectural facility in the Momijigaoka area of Nishi Ward, Yokohama City, designed by Kunio Maekawa, construction is scheduled to be carried out in 2019 to improve the landscape, including the installation of L-shaped stairs and a plaza. (Image of the completed project. From the left, the Prefectural Youth Center, the Prefectural Library, and the Prefectural Music Hall. The Yokohama Noh Theater is behind the Prefectural Library.)
◎Introducing the charms of the newly renovated “Studio HIKARI”!
Let's take a closer look at Studio HIKARI, a small theater space that will be renovated in March 2019. One of the main points of the renovation as a specialized space for theater and dance was that the floor and walls were painted black, making it easier to use as a stage space. The 132-person capacity venue, which is a flat space where you can freely set up audience seats and a temporary stage, can be said to be the ideal size for young artists. Additionally, we have created a new line that will allow direct access to Studio HIKARI from the youth center entrance, as well as a foyer space where you can socialize before and after performances. We aim to create a small theater space that is friendly to both the people who use the venue and the audience, as a place to nurture the talent that will lead the performing arts scene of the future, and as a base for interaction and dissemination.
【Equipment outline】
・Total area: 271.1㎡
・Capacity: 132 people (planned)
・Format: A flat space where you can freely set up the audience seats and temporary stage.
・Basic equipment such as stage, lighting, and sound is fully equipped.
【layout drawing】
Studio HIKARI, a small theater space at the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center, will be reborn in March 2019. What kind of attraction does it have for young performers who stand on stage?...The second part includes an interview with Kazuyuki Kazuya, director of performing arts in Kanagawa Prefecture, as well as interviews with people who participated in "Magcal Theater". We are introducing a lot of messages from the artists who are doing it!! Please read it!
>>>Click here for article “Part 2”
[Studio HIKARI]
Address: Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center 2F, 9-1 Momijigaoka, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
access:
Get off at JR Negishi Line "Sakuragicho Station" and walk from the "North Gate" (west exit) for about 8 minutes.
Get off at Sakuragicho Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Line and walk for about 10 minutes.
About 13 minutes walk from Hinodecho Station on the Keikyu Line
Get off at Minatomirai Station on the Minatomirai Line and walk for about 20 minutes.
