Three senior theater groups in the prefecture are recruiting new members! Let's create plays where seniors take center stage!

(Top image) Yokosuka Senior Theatre Group - Mid-year performance (last year)

Odawara Senior Theater Group "Chiliak Oldies" is born!

In Kanagawa Prefecture, we are promoting the realization of an inclusive society through our Magnet Culture (MagCal) initiative, which attracts people with the appeal of culture and art and creates vibrancy in the community. As part of our "Inclusive Co-creation Project," which allows everyone, from children to adults, regardless of disability or age, to participate in and enjoy performing arts, we are pleased to announce the launch of "Odawara Senior Theater Group Chiliak Oldies," following the establishment of "Yokosuka Senior Theater Group Yossha!!" and "Ayase Senior Theater Group Moromi Kojiza" last year. Senior citizens, why not join us in creating a work and taking to the stage? Please note that measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be taken in this project.

Yokosuka Senior Theatre Group's Mid-Year Performance

<1> Recruitment of theater troupe members
Odawara Senior Theater Group / Yokosuka Senior Theater Group / Ayase Senior Theater Group
We are recruiting members for three senior-oriented theater groups.
[Recruitment period] August 1st (Sat) - August 28th (Fri), 2020
[Number of applicants]
● Odawara Senior Theater Group (approximately 20 members)
● Yokosuka Senior Theater Group, Ayase Senior Theater Group: Approximately 10 members each
*If the number of applicants significantly exceeds the number of available spots, we will conduct a selection process.

Application Guidelines
Since it varies from theater company to theater company, please contact the company you wish to join to confirm the details.

A new theater company is being formed in Odawara and is recruiting new members!
<2> Odawara Senior Theatre Group Chiliak Oldies (See below for a description of the theatre group)
[Eligibility Requirements]
● Individuals aged 60 or older who reside or work in Kanagawa Prefecture.
●Those who can attend training sessions once or twice a week.
[How to apply] Please apply by phone.
Phone: 080-6507-7002 (Odawara Senior Theatre Group Office)
* No prior acting experience is required .

<3> Yokosuka Senior Theater Group "Yosh!!" ( See below for details about the theater group)

Yokosuka Senior Theater Group - Rehearsal

[Eligibility Requirements]
● For those who live or work in Kanagawa Prefecture.
● Healthy men and women aged 60 and over.
●Those willing to participate in training twice a week.
●Those who can participate in the presentation of results.
* No prior acting experience is required .
We will be holding an information session.
[Date and time] August 22nd (Sat) 13:00-16:00
*Participation is not mandatory.
*Please let us know when you register if you wish to participate.
*Please contact us for details.
[Practice Schedule] Tuesdays and Fridays, 13:00-16:00
*The schedule may be extended before the results presentation.
[Activity locations] Yokosuka Arts Theatre Large Rehearsal Room, Yokosuka City Youth Center, etc.
[Participation fee] 5,000 yen/month
*If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held. The lottery results will be notified to all applicants by September 1st.
[How to apply] Please submit your application by mail, email, or fax, clearly stating the following information.
① Name and phonetic spelling, ② Gender, ③ Age, ④ Address (including postal code), ⑤ Phone number, ⑥ Email address (if you have one)
[Applications and Inquiries] Yokosuka Senior Theatre Group Office
1-3 Yonegahama-dori, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture 238-0011
Phone: 080-9882-0832 / Fax: 046-823-7443
Email: yokosukasenior@au.com

<4> Ayase Senior Theater Group "Moromi Koji-za" ( See below for an overview of the theater group)

Ayase Senior Theatre Group - Mid-Year Performance (Last Year)

[Eligibility Requirements]
● Individuals aged 60 or older who reside or work in Kanagawa Prefecture.
●Those who can attend the performance scheduled for March 2021.
● Applicants must be able to participate in training sessions held from September 2020 to March 2021.
* No prior acting experience is required .
[Training Schedule] Currently being finalized. Please contact the office for details.
[Activity locations] Ayase City Central Community Center, etc.
[Participation fee] 5,000 yen/month
*If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held. All applicants will be notified of the lottery results by September 3rd.
[How to apply] Please submit your application by mail, email, or fax, clearly stating the following information.
① Name and phonetic spelling, ② Gender, ③ Age, ④ Address (including postal code), ⑤ Phone number, ⑥ Email address (if you have one)
[Applications and Inquiries] Ayase Senior Theatre Group Office (within Gekidan Yamanote Jijo Co., Ltd.)
4-2-8 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146-0082
Phone: 03-6410-9056 / Fax: 03-6410-9057
Email: ayase-senior@yamanote-j.org

<5> Regarding the response to COVID-19
The feasibility of rehearsals and performances that involve gathering at the rehearsal space will be determined based on the COVID-19 infection situation. If group rehearsals are held, guidelines for senior theater groups will be established, including restrictions on the number of people allowed in the rehearsal space, ventilation, social distancing, and mask-wearing, and thorough infection prevention measures will be taken. Furthermore, if group rehearsals cannot be held due to the infection situation, participants may be asked to rehearse at home using video calls via smartphone or computer, video streaming, or DVD distribution.
(Optional. The method varies depending on the theater company.)

<6> About each theater company
■ Odawara Senior Theater Group Chiliak Oldies
[Date of establishment] September 2020 (planned)
[Project Leader] Hirofumi Oshima (Born in Odawara City. Founder of the theater company "Chili Actors." Actor, director, and playwright. Personality for FM Odawara's "Chili Actors' Saturday Park")
[Practice location] Public facility in Odawara City (planned)
[Organizer] Kanagawa Prefecture
[Cooperation] Odawara City
[Operated by] Odawara Senior Theater Group Office

■Yokosuka Senior Theater Group Yosh!!
[Establishment date] August 2019
[Project Leader] Kazuhiro Yokota (Director and playwright of the Kappa-za Theatre Company, and Chairman of the Prefectural Theatre Federation)
[Rehearsal locations] Yokosuka Arts Theatre, Yokosuka City Youth Center
[Activity Record] Interim Presentation Performance (November 2019), Final Presentation Performance (February 2020)
[Organizer] Kanagawa Prefecture
[Co-sponsored by] Yokosuka City and Yokosuka Arts and Culture Foundation
[Operated by] Yokosuka Senior Theatre Group Office

■ Ayase Senior Theater Group Moromi Koji-za
[Establishment date] September 2019
[Project Leader] Junko Kurashina (Actress, Director; Member of the Yamanote Jijo-sha Theatre Company)
[Practice location] Ayase City Central Community Center
[Activity Record] Mid-term presentation performance (December 2019)
[Organizers] Kanagawa Prefecture, Ayase City
[Operated by] Ayase Senior Theatre Company Secretariat (operated by Gekidan Yamanote Jijo Co., Ltd.)