Go, see and experience! The world of stage technology that creates enchanting stages

Go, see and feel the world of art
File.23 Yamato Arts and Culture Hall “Enchanting Stage Technology”
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)

Great music and heart-warming stories. Laughter, tears and emotion. My theory is that the whole world exists on stage.
The artists who create such stage spaces are truly amazing.
However, what makes the artists shine even more is the strength of the technical staff, including lighting, sound, and stage mechanism operation. Backstage tours of the hall are popular, allowing you to get a glimpse of that.

* Click here for Yokosuka Arts Theater backstage tour experience >>>

This time, we focused on the Yamato Arts and Culture Hall project, which takes it one step further and allows you to spend a whole day experiencing stage techniques. The name of the course is ``Art Management Course ``Enchanting Stage Techniques.''
It seems that anyone over junior high school age and with no experience can participate, but what exactly can they do? With a simple question in mind, I went to Sirius, the Yamato City Cultural Creation Center, where the course was being held.

First, compare the two photos below.
*Photo: Toshihiko Kato, SS Co., Ltd.

The first is a photo of a stage surrounded by a black curtain. I think this scenery is familiar to people who go to see theater or dance.

*Photo: Toshihiko Kato, SS Co., Ltd.

In the second photo, the wall continues from the audience seats to the stage. This will be a familiar sight to brass band members and people who like classical concerts.

Needless to say, both are the main halls of the Yamato Arts and Culture Hall.
The block-shaped walls surrounding the stage in the second photo are called ``acoustic reflectors,'' and are installed to efficiently reflect the sound of live music.
Hmmm...don't ignore it.
It is usually separated and stored on the stage, but when you see it up close, it is extremely huge, with a total weight of approximately 58 tons! It looks like it will take more than 30 minutes to set everything up.
``This time, we want to let you experience the difference in sound quality with and without a sounding board,'' says hall staff member Shimizu. The difference is so obvious that even an amateur will understand once you experience it.
I can see the difference...I feel like it's more "professional" and it's interesting.

*Photo: Toshihiko Kato, SS Co., Ltd.

When you stand on stage and look up, this is what you see. You can see that a heavy sounding board is hanging there. To ensure safety, most hall staff will not be allowed to enter the hall during installation work.

When you heard that you might be able to experience such a powerful work this time, you thought it would be interesting!
Welcome to the fascinating world of stage technology!

*Photo: Toshihiko Kato, SS Co., Ltd.

This is the work space above the stage where the soundboard is stored. It is located in a high position overlooking the stage, and many of the lighting equipment and stage equipment are stored here.
Work related to stage production often involves work at heights, and even the slightest laxity can lead to a major accident. There is always a lot of tension while working, so it's cool to see the staff moving so briskly.

In this project, you will be able to spend a day experiencing everything from setting up the stage to cleaning up after it, from ``preparation'' to ``disassembly'' while receiving guidance from professionals in each field. Opportunities like this don't come very often!

This is the lighting room. It is located in a high position overlooking the stage behind the audience seats. Even if you have visited Sirius Hall many times, the scenery you see from here will feel fresh.

This is the sound control room. Recently, there have been an increasing number of cases in which people are stationed at the back of the audience seats, so there are many opportunities to see how they work up close. The sight of the latest equipment lined up is very cool, but of course you are not allowed to touch it without permission.
However, in this course, you can get hands-on with lighting and sound equipment.

We spoke with Kako Oizumi (right, Suntory Publicity Services Ltd.), who is in charge of the hall's business, and Kaname Shimizu (left, Sigma Communications Ltd.), the general manager of the hall.

“No matter how much advances are made in mechanical technology such as sound, lighting, and stage equipment, I believe that the fundamentals of the professional work that supports live performances will not change much. I planned this project because I wanted people to know about it.The specific content is still being planned, but I think that once you learn about the work of the professionals who support the stage, you will be able to see and enjoy it in a different way than before." (Mr. Oizumi)

``The possibilities for the stage are endless.Of course there are time and budget constraints, but if you tell me, ``I'd like to try something like this!'', I'll do my best to accommodate you. Based on what we learned, let's think together and create a fun stage performance!'' (Shimizu-san)

There are people who like watching the stage and people who want to stand on the stage.
Take the first step!

This event has ended.
《Art Management Course “Enchanting Stage Techniques””
[Date and time] Saturday, January 25, 2020 Doors open at 9:00 / Start at 9:15 Scheduled to end at 18:00
[Venue] Yamato City Cultural Creation Center Sirius 1F Arts and Culture Hall Main Hall
[Lecturer] Sigma Communications Co., Ltd.
[Performance cooperation] Yamato City Minamirinkan Junior High School Brass Band
[Recruitment target] Junior high school students and above
[Number of applicants] *Applications will close once the capacity is reached.
① Experience: Stage, sound, and lighting for about 5 to 6 people each
②Tour only: Approximately 100 people
[Fees] ① 1,000 yen (tax included, insurance premium included) / ② Free