Theater City Tokyo Theater Festival

Tokyo is home to numerous theaters. However, it is still difficult to say that theater culture is widespread in everyday life. Therefore, in order to create opportunities for theater and theatre to become more integrated with the city and society, the Theater City TOKYO Theater Festival was held from January 10th to March 31st.

This time, "Student Newspaper Online" conducted interviews with the winners of the event and the cast members of "Navigation" to hear their impressions and memories of their student days.

PART1
Interview with the winners at the Theater City TOKYO Theater Festival Awards Ceremony (held on March 30, 2022)

[Best Actor Award]
Otori Megumi, Lead Actress in "Navigation"

My thoughts on winning the award are that "it's an award we all won together." It was a fantastic performance that was only possible thanks to my co-stars, as well as the people who supported the production both in front and behind the scenes. The opportunity to perform in the performing arts is truly invaluable, and to receive such a wonderful award is something I feel is "might as well be a miracle."

This work started when I met Michiru Egashira, a screenwriter I respect, who was a major turning point in my acting career, and Rika Matsumoto, a senior actor whom I admire.Looking back, it feels like it was a work full of miracles from the very beginning.

And above all, I am extremely happy to have received first prize for the first time. Ever since I was little, I have often come in second or third place, so this is the first time in my life that I have won first place.

I think there is no profession that can compare to acting in that it allows you to have deep connections with people. On the other hand, it is an industry that also feels "transience." You work closely with your colleagues for several months while creating a production, but once the final performance is over, you may never see each other again. This "transience" may also be one of the attractions of the industry.

My future goals are to make friends and also to pass on what I have learned from my seniors to the next generation. I am now 40 years old, and I feel the change of generations every day (laughs).
In the future, I would like to leave a legacy of my acting career.

When it comes to theater, many students may still feel that it is an "unknown world." That is why I hope that theater festivals like this will provide many students with an opportunity to experience theater. Theater can have a wonderful impact on your life. Please try to get involved in something that features someone close to you.
(Interview and text by Misaki Otsuka, 4th year student at Tokai University)

[Best Supporting Actor Award]

Matsumoto Rika "Navigation" actress

I am happy to receive the award, but at the same time, it has strengthened my sense of responsibility to "be in a position to promote theater even more from now on." Until now, standing on stage has been as easy as breathing. Through acting, I wanted to put myself in someone else's shoes and use the power of words in my lines to provide emotional support to my fans. I want to give the audience the energy to think, "Okay, I guess I'll give it another go tomorrow." My goal is to be "everyone's powerful vitamin supplement!"

This award also serves as a push for me as an artist. My next goal is to sing the national anthem at the Paralympics. Unlike on stage, I want to challenge myself to see how I can bring energy to the audience in the limited time that comes with singing. What made me think this was when I previously sang for students at a special needs school and the parents were so pleased with the performance. I intend to continue doing everything I can as "artist Matsumoto Rika," including singing.

I believe it's important not only to visualize the image of what you want to achieve, but also to put it into action. The first step I take is to say out loud what I want to achieve at least 10 times. The character for "make it come true" is written with a mouth and ten characters. Saying it out loud will lead you to pursue responsible actions for what you have said, so I encourage you to try it out if you like.
(Interview and text by Miyata Ayako, 4th year student at Tsuda University)

[Best New Actor Award]

Tomoo Yoshida, lead actor in "Twilight's Tears"

I am truly surprised to have received the Best New Actor Award. It was my first leading role since the play began in January, so it was also a challenge for me. It was a play that I was fortunate enough to be able to perform on, and it was purely enjoyable to be able to act with people who I am always grateful for! I was able to play the lead role so freely thanks to the support of those around me, and I don't think it was just my own strength, so I am truly grateful. From now on, I would like to work hard and go beyond the boundaries of a newcomer.

This production is a mystery comedy, and the appeal of acting is being able to create tension while making the audience laugh, and keeping them hooked on how the story will unfold. I think it's a special job, being able to deliver heartfelt words to the world through the lines in the story.

I would like to appear in dramas and movies, but I also want to be able to do what I love with my friends without being confined to a specific framework and still be able to make a living. I would also like to perform in a big theater and play the lead role so that more people can see my plays.

To all students, even if you feel depressed and have lost all your fun and memories in these times, nothing will change, so don't feel tired, but try to think positively about the vitality of life. I hope you will make the most of your youth while you can.
(Interview and text by Mariya Okabe, second-year student at Kunitachi College of Music)

■PART 2
Open rehearsal for the opening performance of "Navigation" (held on January 12, 2022) - Interview with the Executive Committee Chairman and performers

Theater City Tokyo Theater Festival Executive Committee Chairman　Taizo Sayama

Tokyo has more theaters than anywhere else in the world, but even though we have all the tools, we are not making the most of them.

But the truth is, this can be said about other parts of Japan as well. For example, community centers and churches. Japan builds the hardware for these places, but the reality is that it hasn't developed the content to make the most of that hardware. In other words, they're built, but the content is empty.

To put it simply, it's like a computer. Even if you build a factory with just the hardware, the part you actually touch, it won't be usable. The software part is so important that it's actually used more often than the hardware. But as I've said before, that software part is almost nonexistent in Japan today. That's why theaters need theater festivals that enrich that software part. The goodness of theater can only be understood by those who have seen it, by actually going to the venue and seeing it with their own eyes.

I was involved in theater in junior high school, and I still remember the moving experience I had seeing with my own eyes. You never forget the excitement of a real experience. The excitement of a live performance stays with you throughout your life, which is why I want to increase the number of opportunities to see such live performances. It is the responsibility of us theaters to create and distribute even the best possible programs. I want as many people as possible to see great plays, so that they can be passed on to the next generation. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also providing support in conceiving the Theater City Tokyo project. I would like to make this an annual event and produce more and more people who will take on the challenge of doing what they want to do.

(Interview and text by Asato Takeo, graduate of Kanagawa University)

"Navigation" scriptwriter Egashira Michiru

For the past three years, I've wanted to write a story about transporting a corpse, but I'd been thinking about what kind of person should do it. Then I met Otori-san and Matsumoto-san, and I thought that the two of them could become a couple like the characters in my favorite work, "Thelma & Louise." With that in mind, I wrote this work. I thought it was a great joy to be able to cry over something I'd written. After watching it once, I would definitely recommend watching it again.

I teach screenwriting at a university, and I think today's students are extremely earnest and work hard on their assignments. At the same time, they are also very sensitive, and many of them end up not coming to class or school.

When I talk to students, so many of them say, "My friends do it this way, but I can't do it." I've always believed in not getting in the way of others and just doing what I want to do, and I've told the same to those around me, but over the past few years, I've come to understand from interacting with students that there are also people who can't live that way.

It's okay if you can't talk to anyone about it, so don't rush into anything. I've taken a lot of detours myself. I think it's okay to take your time and live the way you want without comparing yourself to others.

(Reported and written by Momoshichi Shibano, 3rd year Nihon University)

"Navigation" starring actress Megumi Otori

When the rehearsal finished and I returned to the dressing room, Egashira-sensei praised me and said, "It brought me to tears." I feel so happy about that now. And Sayama-san has created a theater festival that has made me realize once again that Tokyo is a major theater city. I was able to practice in the rehearsal room and perform the show while savoring the happiness of being able to challenge myself toward the goal of this theater festival. I feel like this is one of the biggest turning points in my theatrical career.

However, I believe that all theater companies are practicing hard and struggling in the same way. Not to be outdone by them, we will also aim higher and higher so that we can win as many awards as possible, so I would like each and every audience member to watch with a critical eye, thinking of themselves as judges.

This production is full of twists and turns, and has a brisk tempo, so I hope you'll come to the theater to experience that sense of realism. Also, the word "It's OK" is sprinkled throughout the production many times, and I think it's a warm production that will encourage and support everyone.

(Reported and written by Koji Ishida, 3rd year student at Nihon University)

"Navigation" actress Rika Matsumoto

I was happy to have had the opportunity to perform this piece with such a wonderful cast and company. This piece is packed with a human element, and I think it contains something that people are beginning to forget.

I really like the word "It's OK" in this work. When I was little and I was confused or worried, my mother would tell me, "It's OK, you can do it." That gave me the courage to look forward and overcome even the most difficult times, even though the COVID-2 pandemic caused theaters to close one after another, and actor friends to retire. We've been through a lot in the past two years, including hardships and difficulties, but it gave me the courage to continue to bring energy and smiles to everyone. I also hope that we can convey the feelings that we have as "actor-crazy people" who are devoting our whole being and soul to what we do. The audience members who come to our shows are connected to our "lives" as actors.

One thing I feel strongly when I'm acting is that "the very act of being born is amazing." It seems that we are born into this world by no means other than our own will. Being born means jumping into an unknown world for the first time, and I think that can be a scary thing. So, I want you to have more faith in yourself, who has already accomplished such an amazing thing. And, even if you're just standing on Earth, you're always moving forward. There's no turning back for humans. Just keep moving forward, step by step, at your own pace.

(Interview and text by Miyata Ayako, 4th year student at Tsuda University)

"Navigation" starring and music director: Pappa Kawai

It was my first experience acting on stage. I've been on music stages countless times and I can take on the challenge without any preparation, but on stage it's a completely different experience. It was a refreshing experience for me to see Otori-san performing with tears in his eyes during rehearsals. I wrote all of the music in the play myself. I think it's the same for scriptwriters, but the songs I write are like my own children.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began about two years ago and offline activities were no longer possible, I also began delivering music through live streaming. At first, live streaming attracted attention as a novelty, but people didn't watch it repeatedly. After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized once again that there is nothing better than live entertainment.

When you're a student, there are probably many things you want to do. However, you should be prepared for most things not to work out. I started a band when I was a student, but it wasn't until 10 years later that we became popular. When you first start doing something, you may not be recognized by those around you, but that's normal. Failure is part of the process of success, so don't get discouraged and keep trying.

(Interview and text by Misaki Otsuka, 4th year student at Tokai University)