You're sure to find a great script! A mecca for theater people

A world of art to visit, see and feel
File.14 Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Theater Archives
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)

I want to try acting too!
Have you ever felt that urge when you were moved by a wonderful performance? The Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Theater Resource Room is a reliable presence that supports that desire.

It opened in July 2005 based on the theater books and materials that the Yokohama Theatre Institute has collected over more than half a century, and of course, the collection continues to this day.
The library's collection includes collections of domestic and international plays, theater books (mainly contemporary theater), performance scripts, theater magazines, and performance materials from Kanagawa Prefecture and all over the country.
We also discovered the script for the play "The Spiral Staircase," which also appeared at the Magcal Theater!
The museum has a nearly complete collection of the three major modern theater magazines, "Teatro," "Shingeki," and "Tragedy and Comedy." It also has a large collection of magazines from various theater groups, including "Serifu no Jidai" and "Quarterly High School Theater," so even non-enthusiasts will be impressed.
Near the ceiling, there are posters that were actually used in major European theaters in the 1980s. These are rare pieces that may be the only ones left in Japan, but they are modern and stylish, and just looking at them gets you excited.

And what's more, most of the books are on open shelves!
You can pick up and flip through almost all of the theater materials, including approximately 9,000 books and 10,000 magazines.
What's more, with the exception of some rare materials, you can borrow books (up to three books at a time for two weeks. ID required).

One thing worth noting is the extensive collection of materials on high school and junior high school plays. Since there are limited publications of scripts for amateur plays, it is rare in Japan to have such a large collection. Sometimes members of the school's drama club come together to choose plays to perform, and sometimes people come from as far away as Kanazawa and other places outside the prefecture to look for materials.
It goes without saying that a play cannot be made with just a script and actors. Theater, public relations, advertising, lighting, sound, and other technical staff are also needed.
The theater resource room is run by volunteer staff from the Kanagawa Prefectural Theater Federation, so they will respond to such inquiries and introduce you to experts if necessary.

*Our guides, Mr. Arai (right) and Mr. Yamamoto (left)

Right next door is the small theater space "Studio HIKARI," and on the first floor is the Momijizaka Hall, which seats 812. Everything you need for a theatrical performance is available here.
I understood why the Youth Center is called a "holy place" by many theater people.

[Theater Archives]
[Location] Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center, 2nd floor
[Opening hours] 9:00-22:00
[Closed] Mondays, New Year's holidays (December 28th to January 4th)
[Inquiries] TEL. 045-263-4400 (ext. 5301)
*Search the collection here! >>