Initiatives of the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center to support performing arts by developing human resources and providing venues

The youth center is an "open zone for youth culture"

--In addition to youth programs, the Youth Center also supports performing arts activities. Please tell us its purpose.

Ikegami : Our main mission is the healthy development of young people. The youth center is also a place for youth development and is an ``open zone for youth culture''. It functions as a place that can be freely used for practicing and presenting performances such as theater, dance, and music.

Meanwhile, Kanagawa Prefecture started the "Magcal" initiative in 2013. "Magcal" is an abbreviation for "magnet culture," in which Kanagawa's culture itself becomes a magnet, attracting people and bringing charm and liveliness to the city. With the association of ``Magcal'' and the Youth Center, initiatives related to performing arts are further expanding.

--Specifically, what kind of initiatives are you taking?

Fujioka : ``Magcal'' has various aspects, such as promoting cultural arts centered on performing arts, creating liveliness in the town, discovering the charm of the region, and developing human resources. Among these, the Youth Center is responsible for human resource development.

Ikegami : Those are the four pillars below. First is "Magical Friday". This is an attempt to lend the facilities and equipment of the multipurpose plaza free of charge every Friday for performances such as theater and music. The second is "Magcal Theater". You can use the multipurpose plaza for free for one week. Thirdly, there is a ``play school for young people.'' In order for young people from high school age to 29 years old to enjoy making plays, they not only act but also make the props and costumes themselves, and the main performance is held in August. And the fourth is "High School Drama Festa". In order to support school theater, plays that have achieved good results at prefectural high school theater competitions are shown to the public.

Fujioka : Governor Kuroiwa has said that he wants to turn Kanagawa into Broadway. However, it is not so easy to increase the number of theaters. Therefore, the prefecture decided to launch ``MAGCUL.net'', a virtual Broadway show, four years ago, as well as ``Magcul Friday'' and ``Magcul Theater.'' At the Apollo Theater on Broadway, we continue to hold "Amateur Night" to discover new talent. It has produced many stars and has become a gateway to success in entertainment. ``Magcal Friday'' and ``Magcal Theater'' also began with this idea.

To begin with, the Youth Center has been conducting theater-related initiatives for more than 50 years since its opening, even before "Magcal" started. “Magcal” did not start everything new, but by incorporating new ideas into the original efforts, the lineup became what it is today.

--So you're supporting the performing arts through both human resource development and provision of space.

Ikegami : For example, at KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater, long-running performances by the Shiki Theater Company and theatrical performances directed by Akira Shirai are held. Inviting these top artists is part of Magcal, but the Youth Center also plays a role in expanding the range of performing arts. Even young people who find it difficult to rent a theater on their own can easily use the Youth Center. I hope that the youth center will be used as a place for presentations such as drama, music, and dance, and that it will help them develop their skills.

Fujioka : We sometimes recommend to KAAT an organization that has produced a work that we think is unique from among the programs performed at Magcal Theater. The group's performance may be held at KAAT next year. Although there are still many issues to be addressed, we are aiming for a cycle in which a younger generation of human resources is nurtured through the efforts of "Magcal Theater," and some of them step up to become professionals at KAAT and grow even further.

Ikegami : We also provide technical support for behind-the-scenes staff. Last year and this year, we held a scriptwriting course and a props course. Students rarely have the opportunity to learn how to make large props. So we held a workshop where we actually held hammers and made small props.

Aiming to develop human resources who will lead the performing arts in the prefecture

--In 2014, the "Magical Performing Arts Academy" was started to train musical actors. Please tell me the difference between this and "Play School for Youth."

Ikegami : ``Shibaijuku'' is a public participation theater project that allows people to experience the sense of accomplishment of standing on stage. It's the kind of place where people can learn for the first time that ``the stage can be so much fun.'' It may be difficult to suddenly join a theater company, but you can easily join here. On the other hand, the ``Academy'' aims to develop human resources who will lead the performing arts in Kanagawa Prefecture.

--What do you think of the results?

Ikegami : It's difficult to set standards for what constitutes an achievement... However, the Academy is already producing students who will go on to become active in movies, theater, and television. The students, who were not good at the school when they first entered the school, have made remarkable progress, and they have been approached by production personnel who attended the presentation of their results in April of this year.

Fujioka : Since you are young, there is a lot of room for growth. Just like sports, it follows a rapid growth curve.

Ikegami : We will hold a paid performance in August, and next year we are planning to perform a new work by Kensuke Yokouchi, who serves as the school's principal, so I think the true value of the Academy will be tested there.

It's true that it would be difficult for everyone to become a star on TV. However, I think it would be a great achievement if those who graduated from the Academy become future instructors in Kanagawa Prefecture, teaching performing arts and nurturing the next generation of talent. This year, we have added new students, and we currently have 34 students working hard. Some students decided to enroll after watching the results presentation in April. This can also be said to be the result of the Academy.

--What kind of response do you feel regarding other initiatives?

Ikegami : Regarding "Magcal Friday" and "Magcal Theater," the number of organizations applying is increasing. I also feel that the content of the performances is gradually improving. I guess they grow by being exposed to the eyes of many people. We also hold university theater competitions, and these connections have led to people forming new theater companies, which has led to exchanges between people involved in the performing arts.

Fujioka : The Youth Center also has a theater resource room . This is a theater specialty library that holds over 10,000 theater materials. What makes this facility unique, even compared to other facilities nationwide, is that it is also available for rental outside the facility, and its operation is supported by the enthusiasm of volunteer staff. I often see students in the drama club selecting scripts while receiving advice from staff in the resource room. We recognize that it is an important initiative of our museum to provide several gateways to the performing arts for young people. I would be happy if I could play a role in supporting school plays as part of that.

We want to lower the barrier to entry into performing arts and increase audiences.

--Please tell us about the future prospects of the Youth Center.

Ikegami : We will continue our efforts as an "open zone for youth culture." School plays for junior high and high school students are supported by schools and federations as club activities, but until now there has been no effort to develop or support university students or young actors in their 20s. I think we were able to provide some support for this through things like ``Magcal Theater.'' We hope to continue to fulfill our role as a youth center and be a place where young people can engage in performing arts activities.

Fujioka : The KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theater, which is also a prefectural facility, plays the role of a place for creative activities with top-level artists, but the role of the Prefectural Youth Center is to lower the barrier to entry into the performing arts and to encourage young people and beginners. I guess you could say it's about letting people know how fun it is.
With the number of facilities in the prefecture decreasing, such as the Sotetsu Honda Theater and the Prefectural Women's Center Hall, we are supporting the performing arts by providing performance venues, spreading the word about the wonders of school theater, and nurturing human resources. It is the reason for our existence. If amateurs, including young people, are not nurtured, the fire of professionals at the top of the game will also go out. We want to continue doing what we can to keep this fire lit.

Ikegami : By lowering the barrier to entry into performing arts, we would like to increase the number of viewers, not just actors and staff. You may be reluctant to suddenly pay 10,000 yen for a ticket, but you can easily attend Magcal Theater performances and student plays. High school drama is really interesting. If you think that it's amateur-level because it's an amateur play, you're wrong. There are many works with strong messages that will make you groan. We hope that many people will come and experience a part of the performing arts.

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Click here for detailed information on "Summer Magcal Festa 2016" which will be held at the Youth Center from July 8th to September 25th, 2016.