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 with Masaka Masa (OKAMI Planning), general producer of the festival, who came up with the idea to create a place where the young generation who will lead the future can gather, interact, and hone their skills.
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 the performance, which had been planned and practiced for so long, would end without anyone seeing it. I felt something close to anger that everything the younger generation had built up had been wiped away in an instant.
It's time to run nonstop, but we're faced with a situation where we have no choice but to stop. How can we overcome that? Luckily, I found out about a project called "Magcal Theater in Art Hall." I wasn't sure that the participating groups would gather, but I remember writing a proposal with the thought and momentum that "we have to prepare a box for them."
I heard that you participated in the Kanagawa University Theater Festival in 2014.
Yes. It was when I was a second-year university student. It was a good experience to interact with other universities and expand the range of customers, but the best thing was that I got to meet a lot of adults, including creators of the same generation who had different values and staff involved in the stage productions. For me, who only knew the narrow world of university and was "arrogant," this was a shocking encounter (laughs). Creating things based only on your own standards may have its good points, but it also has many drawbacks. I think that my role now is to create a place where juniors can gain such realizations.
Please tell us about your enthusiasm for the Student Theater Festival.
I think that the Student Theater Festival is only valuable if it continues. I am truly grateful that we will have a new "base" like the Kanagawa Art Hall. What our seniors taught us at the Youth Center, we will pass on to the younger generation. I 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 had just retired from our university club in our third year and were planning 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 that came down from the heavens. We are nervous about our first external competition, but we have no choice but to give it our all.
Shinji Akiyama (Irodori Theatre Company)
I wanted to do another play with my friends from the drama club who had retired without any activities. If we didn't start it now, we wouldn't be here. With that thought in mind, I decided to participate. I'm grateful for the opportunity.
Yusei Hikida (Irodori Theater Company)
When I heard that Yokouchi Kensuke would be participating as a judge, I decided to participate at short notice. This is my chance to show what I have learned at the Magcal Performing Arts Academy. I will do my best!
Kazuma Torii (Theater Company Amanokawa 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 this is a student theater festival, we will do our best to perform, without forgetting that we are receiving someone's protection and financial support. When you get home, wash your hands, gargle, and help out! Thank you, mom!
Meiji Gakuin University Theatre Studies Club
"How to make a morning"
The theme of this work, "How to Make a Morning," is "love." That said, it's not a grandiose story. It's a story about "love" that is familiar to everyone and within reach. Looking at the recent situation, I think there are times when you feel negative. I hope that this work will make those customers feel a little warm and kind.
Free time planning
"Rain."
This is a bittersweet yet tender story about the bond between two lonely siblings. It will be performed by a small but elite team of just two performers, running around the stage of the art hall. This is our first time participating in a theater festival, but we hope to liven things up 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 thrive.
We see our participation in this festival as an opportunity to confirm where we are currently.
How can we express ourselves within the unknown space of a hall and the limitations that it poses?
How will they adapt to today's world, where the nature of live performances is changing dramatically?
There's no end to the things I can say.
In any case, the curtain rises and then falls.
What kind of "potential" rather than "miracle" will be shown during the time the curtain is up?
The Tennokawa Shrine Theater Company will continue to strive to make this brief moment a wonderful one!
The hottest place for theatre
"The Play of the Vicious Bacteria: Actress-Killing Purgatory Between Acts "
A play 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 Theatre Company
"Itebare"
The group was formed by members of the Yokohama National University Mikazukiza Theatre Company, with the motto of "creating works that add color to everyday life." We aim to expand our activities in pursuit of things that everyone can find "fun."
This Yokohama Student Theater Festival will be the first performance, the inaugural show.
We are still inexperienced, but we will do our best to do what we can with the current situation and with the current circumstances.
Yokohama Student Theater Festival 2020
[Date, time and performing groups]
■February 22, 2021 (Monday) 17:00~
The hottest place for theater / Karido Project / Meiji Gakuin University Theater Research Club
■February 23, 2021 (Tuesday/Holiday) 15:00~
Amanokawa Shrine Theater Company / Himajin Planning / Irodori Theater Company
[Venue] Kanagawa Art Hall
[Tickets] (2-day ticket) Adults 6,000 yen, Student discount 4,500 yen (1-day ticket) Adults 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 Theater Award: Selected by the judges
・Audience Award: The group that received the most audience votes (voting rights are given to all theater ticket buyers, and the award is decided 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 give away tickets to the "Yokohama Student Theater Festival 2020" to be held at Kanagawa Art Hall to one pair of two people (total of two pairs of four people) for each of the following performances. Please choose one date and time of your choice and apply.
■Monday, February 22nd, 17:00~ 2 people per group
■Tuesday, February 23rd (National Holiday) 15:00~ 2 people per group
【Application method】
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 serve as the winning notification instead of the announcement of the winner. On the day of the performance, please present the winning notification email at the reception desk of the Kanagawa Art Hall. A staff member will hand you the ticket.
*Personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than the lottery.
[Measures to combat COVID-19]
- Adjacent seats will have at least 25cm of space between them, 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 seating and the acting area (the space where actors perform).
- There will be no performances in which performers approach the audience or engage in conversations with customers.
・The ventilation system in the theater will be operated at full power at all times. In addition, doors and windows will be opened between each performance to ensure sufficient ventilation.
・We will install splash guards at the reception desk.
・We will introduce digital pamphlets and online surveys and will no longer distribute paper media.
- Meetings with performers or related parties are strictly prohibited.
・We regret that we will not be able to accept any gifts, letters or other offerings, including celebratory flowers.
■ Requests to visitors
◎People 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 cohabiting family member or close acquaintance is infected
- If you were present at the location where a cluster outbreak occurred or if there is a possibility that you were present
- If you have traveled to a country or region that has been subject to government entry restrictions or 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.
◎Notes and requests when making reservations and purchasing
- Personal information registered when making reservations or purchasing tickets will be kept strictly managed, and if any cases of infection are discovered among performers, staff, or audience members attending the theater, the information will be shared in accordance with requests from health centers and other authorities.
◎ Requests when visiting
・Masks must be worn at all times inside the theater. (Even if you are wearing a face shield, you must also wear a mask.)
・Temperature checks will be conducted upon entry, and if you have a fever of 37.5℃ or higher (or more than 1 degree above normal body temperature) or are feeling unwell with cold symptoms, you will be denied entry.
・Hand sanitizer will be installed at the theater entrance and other locations. Please cooperate by frequently using hand sanitizer and washing your hands.
・Reception and doors will open 40 minutes before the start of the show. Please arrive early to avoid overcrowding.
・If you are required to line up, please follow the instructions of staff and maintain a sufficient distance between you and the customers in front and behind you.
・Please observe proper coughing etiquette when coughing, sneezing, etc. 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 will not be able to accept any gifts, letters or other offerings, including celebratory flowers.
・The air conditioning may not be working properly due to ventilation. Please wear clothes that you can easily adjust yourself, such as a jacket.
・If you feel unwell during the performance, please inform a member of staff immediately.
- After the performance has ended, please follow the instructions of the staff and leave in an orderly manner.
- Meetings with performers or related parties are strictly prohibited.
