KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre (hereinafter referred to as KAAT) is a creative theater with the theme of "three creations": things, people, and town. The preseason for 2024 will begin in April, and the annual summer project "KAAT Kids Program 2024" will be held in July. This time, we interviewed artistic director Keiichi Nagatsuka to explore the appeal of KAAT.
What emerged from continuing to send messages
-- Playwright, director and actor Nagatsuka has been the artistic director of KAAT for four years now.
Nagatsuka: I started working at KAAT as an artistic advisor in April 2019, and was appointed artistic director in April 2021.
- You have been working on this project from a multifaceted perspective, based on your career thus far. How do you feel looking back on it?
Nagatsuka : It went by so quickly. However, when I took over, the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading, so I think it was hard for the staff to deal with that. Even if that wasn't the case, when the artistic director changes, the guidelines and public relations style are completely renewed.
As for me, I have always been aware that "KAAT is a theater in Kanagawa Prefecture" and have continued to work with that in mind. I introduced a seasonal system to incorporate a sense of the seasons and rhythm into the theater, and I implemented the KAAT Kanagawa Tour Project.
-What is the KAAT Kanagawa Tour Project?
Nagatsuka : It is an attempt with the goal of going to meet everyone, getting people in the prefecture to know about KAAT, and getting them interested in theater. Starting in 2021, we will take the works we created at KAAT out of the theater and tour around Kanagawa Prefecture.
In February and March 2024, as the second part of the project, I will be performing a double feature of my new works, "Beauty and the Beast of Mt. Hakone" and "The Little Mermaid of the Miura Peninsula," which I wrote incorporating legends and episodes from various regions of the prefecture, in Zama, Kawasaki, Odawara, Zushi, and Chigasaki. By fusing famous Western stories with Kanagawa, I have created an entertaining work that can be used as an entry point to a theatrical experience.
--There seem to be a lot of ideas put into place by the theater.
Nagatsuka : Even though the situation is changing by the minute, we are trying not to stop moving forward and sending out messages.
As a result of our continued efforts, we have finally started to see each other's faces a little more recently, and we are beginning to get a sense of connection with the local community. Although it's still just the beginning.
Weaving bonds through the newsletter "KAAT PAPER"
- The quarterly magazine "KAAT PAPER" is also a tool that is typical of Mr. Nagatsuka. I like how it embodies KAAT's focus on things, people, and towns.
Thank you very much. Initially, I was always there from the planning meetings, but as our goals started to sink in, the editorial staff is now taking the lead in the production.
- It's a very interesting read, but what are you particular about when planning this project?
Nagatsuka: I try to meet at least two people from new genres and from the town every issue. I believe that only by meeting face to face can we understand each other and that certain things can come from conversation. I've had conversations with many people up until now, but finally I'm going to have a collaboration event with TSUBAKI Shokudo's Tsubaki Naoki.
-What about Tsubaki-san of "Yokohama Vegetables" and "Yokohama 18 Ward Bowl," who appeared in the Winter 2023 issue?
Thanks to Nagatsuka's article, the long-awaited "KAAT Marche" will be held at the KAAT Atrium. Tsubaki's activities to enliven the city of Yokohama with the theme of local production and consumption have a lot in common with KAAT, so I'm looking forward to it too.
In addition, Nobumasa Takahashi (※), Chairman of the Yokohama Chinatown Development Association Cooperative Association, who was featured in the inaugural issue (Autumn 2021 issue), still places lanterns at KAAT during the Chinese New Year. I hope to think of more and more new initiatives with Chinatown. It is important not to be satisfied with doing it once, but to deepen and continue the relationship, so I would like to continue to meet and work with people.
*Job titles are as of the time of the interview.
[KAAT Marche]
Saturday, July 6, 2024 11:00-18:00, Sunday, July 7, 2024 11:00-17:00 (scheduled)
Details: here
[KAAT PAPER]
Latest issue (Spring 2024 issue): Click here
Watching real productions and performances through the eyes of children
--The KAAT Kids Program 2024 is approaching.
Nagatsuka: This year, we have two plays: an invited performance from overseas for the first time in a while, and a new work written by an up-and-coming Japanese playwright. The first play, "Peck" from Scotland, is a non-verbal performance by Andy Manley, a stage artist who is well-known for creating works for young people. There are no lines, so you can enjoy it by following your emotions through facial expressions, gestures, and music, making it perfect for children's first theater experience.
-- Mr. Nagatsuka and Mr. Andy Manley, please tell us any stories you have.
Nagatsuka: The first time I saw Andy Manley's play was over 10 years ago, in the internationally popular "White." The wonderful memories remain vivid to this day. It's been five years since the last performance at KAAT in 2019.
"Peck" will be co-produced in Kyoto in 2023, and after completion, it was well received in four domestic performances. Andy will be coming to KAAT with a few staff members and two trunks (laughs). Please look forward to it.
- Two trunks! It sounds like a rare opportunity to experience true art.
Nagatsuka : Adults, please try enjoying the works and performances through the eyes of your children.
It's a joy to be able to see what your child is interested in and what they feel. It's okay if your child gets bored halfway through, there will always be something left.
[KAAT Kids Program 2024]
Details: here
The main season begins in September
-- The title of the 2024 main season starting in September is "Something." It's a word that can be interpreted in many different ways.
Nagatsuka: Every year, we set a seasonal theme that is as broad as possible, and this year's theme is "something."
The internet and social media are full of anonymous words without a face. You don't know who said them, but they are there, and before you know it, they have become your own words. What will you see when you look through the lens of a certain someone who is both you and me?
KAAT offers a wide range of performances. I'm sure you'll find a performance that will impress you, so I hope you'll come and see KAAT, a theater in Kanagawa Prefecture.
- The other day, it was announced that Mr. Nagatsuka would be reappointed as artistic director of KAAT. What are your goals for the next six years until March 31, 2031?
Nagatsuka: I had decided to push ahead in my first term, but by accepting my second term, my term has been extended by five years. I want to find what is needed for the theater, what people want to see continue in the future. I want to think about ideas that will make people want to carry them into the future so that I can pass them on to the next artistic director.
KAAT is a well-known theater in the theater world, located in a convenient location and with excellent staff. However, for those who don't know it, it is still a mysterious box. Now that the doors to connect with the city and the prefecture are finally starting to open, I would like to continue to make an appealing effort and keep it open.
The topics and projects are only getting deeper, including connections with nearby cultural facilities and international exchange. KAAT aims to be a theater open to society, so keep an eye on its future.
Text by Mai Shimura (editor/writer)
KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre
Address: 281 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone number: 045-633-6500
Official website: here
