A world of art to visit, see and feel
File.14 Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Theater Resource Room
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)
I want to try acting too!
Have you ever felt that urge to do so, such as 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 Theater Institute has collected over more than half a century, and of course it continues to collect them today.
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 in the Magcal Theater!
The three major modern theater magazines, "Teatro," "New Theater," and "Tragedy and Comedy," are almost completely in stock. There are also many magazines from various theater groups, such as "Serifu no Jidai" and "Quarterly High School Theater," and even those who are not theater buffs will be impressed.
Near the ceiling, there are posters that were actually used in major European theaters in the 1980s. These are all valuable items that may be the only ones in Japan, but they are modern and stylish, and just looking at them makes 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 also borrow books (up to three books at a time for two weeks. Identification 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 to have such a large collection, even in Japan. Sometimes members of school drama clubs 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, PR, and technical staff such as lighting and sound are also needed.
The theater resource room is run by volunteer staff from the Kanagawa Prefecture 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 812-seat Momijizaka Hall. Everything you need for theater is here.
I understood why many theater people call the Youth Center a "holy place."
[Theater Reference Room]
[Location] Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center 2nd floor
[Opening hours] 9:00-22:00
[Closed on] Mondays, New Year's holiday (December 28th to January 4th)
[Inquiries] TEL.045-263-4400 (ext. 5301)
*Search the collection here! >>
