What is "Sugita Theatre," an artistic space filled with natural light?
Infiltrating an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
A place that all residents of the ward will cherish, gather, and continue to nurture.
Isogo Ward Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater
This time, we visited the Isogo Ward Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater, a cultural facility located on the 4th and 5th floors of Rabista Shinsugita, just a 3-minute walk from JR Negishi Line's Shinsugita Station. Did you know that the "Sugita Theater" at the end of the cultural center's name embodies the "feelings" of the local people? (I actually learned this myself when I visited for the interview!)
The former Sugita Theater, where Hibari Misora, then known as Kazue Misora, is said to have made her stage debut at the age of eight, was located under the elevated tracks of Route 16 and the JR line heading towards Tomioka. It opened on January 1, 1946, and closed on October 3, 1950. When the Isogo Ward Community Cultural Center opened as a public facility of Yokohama City, a public contest was held to decide on a nickname for the theater. Many local residents who regretted the theater's closure suggested "Sugita Theater," and the name was officially decided as "Isogo Ward Community Cultural Center Sugita Theater." People who remember the theater from that time have donated mementos, and posters donated in 2004 by the nephew of the former Sugita Theater's president are displayed inside the building.
The poster on the wall reads "Misora Orchestra"! It's a very valuable piece in the history of Japanese music.
Stepping through the entrance, you enter a spacious lobby. This space is decorated in various ways by the local people who gather here: posters on the walls, handmade brochures and newspapers, and seasonal decorations.
Since the interview took place in mid-April, a samurai helmet decoration was on display.
Beyond the lobby is a gallery with white walls that beautifully showcase artwork (a photography exhibition was being held during our visit). Equipped with lighting, it's a suitable space for displaying a variety of art forms, including photography, paintings, calligraphy, and crafts.
On either side of this gallery are the rehearsal room and the practice room. While waiting in front of the rehearsal room after a dance lesson had finished, a group of local people, looking sweaty and refreshed, streamed in... I was allowed to photograph the rehearsal room, which was filled with energy after the session.
The wooden-floored rehearsal room is quite spacious and looks easy to move around in! It's perfect for rehearsals and practice, of course, but its size also makes it suitable for small-scale recitals or performances. Unfortunately, both practice rooms were in use and I couldn't sneak in, but it seemed like vocal lessons for a recital were taking place.
Guided by a staff member, we headed towards the main hall. On the way, we spotted this KIRIN vending machine with a character we'd never seen before...!! When we asked about it, we learned that this girl with ears like a bear or a rabbit is "Umeny," who was born in March 2015. She's a "plum fairy who loves Sugita," and a local character based on the plum blossom, the official tree of Isogo Ward. Indeed, her ears are shaped like plum blossoms!
The hall is on the second floor, up the stairs. But before that, I have to show you this lovely staircase (the escalator is on the right). It seems to be a popular spot with visitors, but this staircase is actually an open atrium...
At the top of the stairs, a space like something out of a modern art exhibition unfolded before me. The day I visited for the interview was blessed with perfect weather, and I was so lucky that I spontaneously asked the photographer, "Please take a picture here!!" It was truly a beautiful moment. I imagine the interplay of light and shadow changes throughout the day. I was so lucky to visit on this day at this time!!
Beyond that lies the foyer in front of the hall. Outside, there are terrace seats. Natural light gently streams in here as well, creating a very pleasant space.
On performance days, you can also order drinks here during intermissions.
I enjoyed soaking up the afterglow of the concert while basking in the sun on the terrace.
This is the "Parent-Child Room" (4 seats) located at the front of the hall. Because it is separated by glass, you can enjoy the concert or other performances with peace of mind even if your young child becomes fussy.
Now, finally, we arrive at the multi-purpose hall with 310 seats. It can be used as a venue for appreciating and presenting cultural and artistic activities of all genres, including music, theater, and dance.
Wheelchair-accessible seats (4 seats) are also available.
We even managed to find out about the "best seats" in the hall that only the staff know about! Here they are!
Because these seats are higher than the others, there's nothing obstructing the view, and you can see the stage very well. For performances with unreserved seating, wait until the doors open to secure one of these seats!!
Furthermore, our reporting team was also allowed to go up on stage. This is what the audience looks like from the stage. Apparently, they can also set up a hanamichi, which is essential for Kabuki and Japanese dance performances.
And the audience can be "watched" from backstage too!! (laughs). Using these peepholes, they can check on the audience to make sure they're enjoying themselves.
I also snapped a photo of the stage control console!! Since it's not usually accessible, I was really excited to get a tour of the backstage area.
Finally, we were also given a tour of the dressing rooms at the back of the stage. On performance days, many performers gather here, and I imagine it's a space filled with tension and excitement.
The Sugita Theater at the Isogo Ward Community Cultural Center is popular for its concerts, plays, exhibitions, dance lessons, and the annual summer festival held throughout the entire building.
Aiming to be a "community cultural center" that contributes to creating a town where people want to continue living, it was bustling with many users on this day as well, including people visiting exhibitions, people working up a sweat in the rehearsal rooms, and people enjoying music in the practice rooms. It seems that various events that you can easily participate in are held throughout the year, so please feel free to drop by and enjoy the warm sunshine. It is a place where art, culture, and people can feel much closer to each other.
