Hirokazu Tategata's Danceable LIFE Vol.8
Aiming to become an expressive artist with a strong presence
Hirokazu Tategata (Actor, Dancer, Choreographer)
It was THE CONVOY SHOW that gave me the opportunity to be in the spotlight as a member of the ensemble. The unit was launched by the founder, Nezumi Imamura, who gathered dancers from the ensemble. With THE CONVOY SHOW being released to the public, more people were able to see me, and I also had more opportunities to perform on various stages.
At the end of last year, I appeared in the musical "Hamlet". I've worked with the composer, Sayuri Fukui, before, but her songs are quite niche, and the lines are sung as they are. They are very difficult, but they are also very attractive and rewarding. Of course, they are all original songs. I was honored to be given three songs, but even getting the notes was difficult, and it felt like training (laughs).
In musicals, it is important to convey the song as words, as lines. You exist in the story as the character of that role, and sing as that character, but it's hard work to get to that point. Of course, it's a fun struggle, and I'm happy to be able to try new things.
I'm not a very dexterous person, so when I express a character through dance, I always think about how to express the character's presence, rather than how to show the dance. There are dances that require strong technique, but I really liked pursuing how to express a character through dance, not just dancing coolly, but how to act and exist.
In that sense, I'm very happy and feel rewarded when I get the opportunity to play roles that go beyond the boundaries of dance, such as in straight plays and musicals. Of course, I love dancing, so I'm really grateful to be asked to do so, but rather than being asked to act as a dancer, I feel great joy when I'm asked to show my presence as an artist called Tategata Hiroichi.
If I had only been "selling" coolness, I don't think I could have continued for this long (laughs). And when I think about getting older and turning 60 or 70, that just wouldn't be "interesting."
What I find attractive are performers whose possibilities expand as they get older. Getting older is not a negative thing, but a positive thing. It would be wonderful if I could become an performer who, as I get older, makes people think that I would be suited to certain roles, and that I would like to see them play certain roles. I would be happy if I could acquire the mysteriousness, allure, beauty, and poison that come with age.
