Yokohama Student Theater Festival 2020 is opening soon! [Ticket giveaways available!]
The Kanagawa University Theater Festival, which was held at the Prefectural Youth Center Multipurpose Hall in 2014, will be revived as the Yokohama Student Theater Festival 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the Student Theater Festival).
We spoke to Masaka Masashi (OKAMI Planning), the general producer who came up with the idea for the festival, who wanted to provide a place where the young generation who will lead the future could gather, interact, and learn from each other.
What prompted you to plan a student theater festival?
April 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the freshman welcome performance at Mikazukiza (Yokohama National University), where I was a student. It was unthinkable that a performance that had been planned and rehearsed for so long could end without anyone seeing it. I felt a sense of anger that everything the younger generation had built up could be wiped out in an instant.
It's a time when we should be running nonstop, but we're faced with a situation where we have no choice but to stop. How can we overcome this? Fortunately, I learned about a project called "Magcal Theater in Art Hall." I wasn't sure that participating groups would gather, but I remember writing a proposal with the thought and momentum that "we have to provide a 'box' for them."
I heard that you participated in the Kanagawa University Theatre Festival in 2014.
Yes. It was when I was a sophomore at university. It was a great experience to interact with people from other universities and broaden the audience, but the greatest benefit was meeting so many adults, including creators of my generation with different values and staff involved in the production. For someone like me who had become arrogant and only knew the narrow world of university, this was a shocking encounter (laughs). Creating things based solely on your own standards may have its advantages, but it also has many drawbacks. I believe that my role now is to create a place where my juniors can gain such realizations.
Please tell us about your enthusiasm for the Student Theater Festival.
I believe that the Student Theater Festival is only valuable if it continues. We are truly grateful to have a new "home" in Kanagawa Art Hall. What our seniors have taught us at the Youth Center, we will pass on to the younger generation. We want to work with that sense of mission.
We will show you a performance that will make you think, "Wow, there are some really interesting people in Kanagawa Prefecture!" so please come and see it!
A quick interview with the participants!
We retired from our university club in our third year and were just about ready to launch our own theater company when the COVID-19 pandemic halted all activities. For us, who were at a loss, the Student Theater Festival was like a spider's thread descending from the heavens. We're nervous about our first external competition, but we know we have no choice but to give it our all.
Shinji Akiyama (Irodori Theater Company)
I wanted to perform one more play with my friends from the drama club, who had retired before their activities had stopped. If we didn't launch it now, we'd never make it. With that thought in mind, I decided to participate. I'm grateful for the opportunity.
Yusei Hikita (Irodori Theater Company)
When I heard that Yokouchi Kensuke would be participating as a judge, I quickly decided to participate. This is my chance to show what I have learned at Magcal Performing Arts Academy. I will do my best!
Kazuma Torii (Theater Company Milky Way Shrine)
《Introduction of participating organizations》
Dry Well Project
"A Closed Room - Shakespeare's The Tempest"
Above all, don't get coronavirus! Don't push yourself too hard due to coronavirus-related reasons!
Because it is a student theater festival, we must remember that we are receiving someone's protection and financial support, and we will perform to the best of our ability. When you get home, wash your hands, gargle, and help out! Thank you, Mom, as always!
Meiji Gakuin University Theatre Studies Club
"How to make breakfast"
The theme of this piece, "How to Make a Morning," is "love." That said, it's not a grandiose story. It's a story about "love" that is close to us all, within our reach. Looking at the current situation, I'm sure there are times when we feel negative. I hope that this piece will bring at least a little warmth and kindness to those who feel that way.
Free time planning
"Rain."
It's a bittersweet yet tender story about the bond between two lonely siblings. It's a small but elite production with just two performers running around the stage of the art hall. This is our first time participating in a theater festival, and we hope to create a lively atmosphere together with the other groups!
Tennokawa Shrine Theatre Company
"Until the curtain call ends"
I am very grateful for the environment in which I can interact with people of the same generation through the medium of theater and compete with them.
We see our participation in this festival as an opportunity to confirm where we are currently.
How can we express ourselves within the unknown limitations of a hall?
How will they adapt to today's world, where the nature of live performances is changing dramatically?
There is no end to the things I can say.
In any case, the curtain rises and falls.
What kind of "potential" rather than "miracle" will be shown during the time the curtain is raised?
The Tennokawa Shrine Theatre Company will continue to strive to make this brief moment a wonderful one!
The hottest place for theater
"The Play of the Vicious Bacteria: Actress-Killing Purgatory Between Acts "
A play that is composed entirely of free ideas that are not bound by common sense.
Politics, commerce, authority, art
--Only the place farthest from them all
“The hottest place for theater.”
Irodori Theater Company
"Itebare"
With the motto of "creating works that add color to everyday life," we were formed mainly by members of Yokohama National University's Mikazukiza Theatre Company. We hope to expand our activities in pursuit of things that everyone can find "fun."
This Yokohama Student Theater Festival will be the first and inaugural performance.
We are still inexperienced, but we will do our best to do what we can with the people we are now and in the current circumstances.
Yokohama Student Theater Festival 2020
[Date, time and performing groups]
■February 22, 2021 (Monday) 17:00~
The hottest place for theater / Kareiido Planning / Meiji Gakuin University Theater Research Club
■February 23, 2021 (Tuesday/Holiday) 15:00~
Theater Company Amanokawa Shrine / Himajin Planning / Theater Company Irodori
[Venue] Kanagawa Art Hall
[Tickets] (2-day ticket) General 6,000 yen, student discount 4,500 yen (1-day ticket) General 3,500 yen, student discount 2,500 yen (Streaming ticket) 2,000 yen
[Theater reservation form] https://ticket.corich.jp/apply/110918/
[Streaming reservation form] https://twitcasting.tv/yokohamastf/shop
[Judging Committee]
・Chief judge: Kensuke Yokouchi (Tobiraza Theatre Company)
・Judges: Takayuki Terato (Noah's Toy Box), Masashi Masaka (OKAMI Planning)
[Awards]
Yokohama Student Theatre Award: Selected by the judges
・Audience Award: The organization that received the most audience votes (voting rights are given to all theater ticket buyers, and the award is determined by the number of votes received)
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Applications for this giveaway have now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied.
[Gift application details]
We will be giving away tickets to the Yokohama Student Theater Festival 2020, which will be held at Kanagawa Art Hall, to two people per group for each of the following performances (a total of two groups of four people). Please select one date and time of your choice and apply.
■Monday, February 22nd, 5:00 PM ~ 1 group of 2 people
■Tuesday, February 23rd (National Holiday) 15:00~ 1 group of 2 people
[How to apply]
If you would like to receive a viewing ticket as a gift, please apply using the application form below. We look forward to receiving your application.
[Application Deadline]
Until 23:59 on Sunday, February 14, 2021
[Lottery and Winner Announcement]
Winners will be notified by email, so please be careful of spam settings. The email will be sent by the Magcal.net Management Office (info.magcul@gmail.com).
The above email will be used to notify you of your winnings. On the day of the performance, please present the winning notification email at the reception desk at Kanagawa Art Hall. A staff member will hand you your ticket.
*Personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than the lottery.
[Measures to combat COVID-19]
- Adjacent seats will be spaced at least 25cm apart, and the total number of seats will be limited to the theater's designated capacity.
- There will be a distance of at least 2m between the front row of the audience seats and the acting area (the space where actors perform).
- There will be no performances in which performers approach the audience or engage in conversation with customers.
・The ventilation system in the theater will be operating at full power at all times. In addition, doors and windows will be opened between each performance to ensure sufficient ventilation.
・Anti-splash shields will be installed at the reception desk.
- We will introduce digital pamphlets and online surveys and will no longer distribute paper media.
- Meetings with performers and related parties are strictly prohibited.
- We regret that we cannot accept any gifts, letters, or other presents, including celebratory flowers.
■ Requests to visitors
◎Those who fall under any of the following categories will be denied entry.
- People who are not feeling well (fever, cough, sore throat, general fatigue, joint pain, loss of taste or smell, etc.)
・If you suspect that a family member or close acquaintance living with you is infected
- If you were present at the location where a cluster occurred, or if you may have been present
- If you have traveled to a country or region that has been restricted by the government from entering the country or requires a period of observation after entry within the past 14 days, or have had close contact with a resident of such a country or region.
◎Important points to note when making reservations and purchasing
- Personal information registered when making a reservation or purchasing tickets will be kept strictly managed, and if an infection is discovered among the performers, staff, or audience members at the theater, the information will be shared in accordance with requests from the public health center or other authorities.
◎ Requests when visiting
・Masks must be worn at all times inside the theater (even if a face shield is used).
- Temperature checks will be conducted upon entry, and anyone with a fever of 37.5°C or higher (or more than 1°C above normal) or cold symptoms will be denied entry.
・Hand sanitizer will be installed at the theater entrance and other locations. Please cooperate by frequently disinfecting your hands and washing your hands.
・Reception and doors will open 40 minutes before the start of the performance. Please arrive early to avoid overcrowding.
-If you are required to line up, please follow the instructions of the staff and maintain a sufficient distance from the customers in front and behind you.
・Please observe proper coughing etiquette when coughing or sneezing. Also, please refrain from talking inside the theater.
・We will no longer accept checked baggage. Please refrain from bringing large baggage that cannot be stored in the auditorium.
・We regret that we cannot accept any gifts, letters, or other offerings, including celebratory flowers.
・Air conditioning may not be effective due to ventilation. Please wear clothing that you can easily adjust yourself, such as a jacket.
-If you become ill during the performance, please inform a member of staff immediately.
- After the performance, please follow the instructions of the staff and exit in an orderly manner.
- Meetings with performers and related parties are strictly prohibited.
