I want to share the appeal of theater, an art form that celebrates the "moment"!

I think theater is the most exciting art form there is.
Actors deliver passionate performances, and everyone in the theater shares the same atmosphere...

Even with the same program, it doesn't just follow the script; actors sense the mood of the moment, change their expressions depending on the performance, or even come into the audience to involve the spectators.
In other words, the same moment never happens twice!
I have been hooked on theater, an art form that celebrates the "moment," for over 10 years now.

Among those reading this note,

I'm sure there are some of you who feel this way.

In fact, young people moving away from the theater seems to be an issue in the theatrical world.
Even when tickets are sold at lower prices than usual for younger audiences,I often hear from those involved that "it's a struggle to attract an audience."

I, too, only went to see a performance at a local center during a school visit in elementary school, and I didn't think, "I want to go see one on my own initiative." (Sweat)
However, through experiences during my student days, I witnessed the energy emitted from the human body and became completely captivated.
The fact that you can only experience it if you go to that place on that day is also a major appeal.

In this note, I will share the appeal of theater, an art form that celebrates the "moment"!
Based on my own experiences, I will introduce it in three parts: 1) Junior high school days, 2) University days, and 3) The present.
I would be happy if you could take even the slightest interest in theater.

Junior High School Days | Crying my eyes out watching the drama club's performance

The first time I was moved by watching a play was when I saw the drama club's performance at my junior high school's eve festival.
The work was called "Paco and the Magical Picture Book," which was made into a movie in 2008, and since Koji Yakusho and Satoshi Tsumabuki appeared in it, some of you may know it.

The synopsis is something like this ↓

The ending is a very moving scenario that strikes a chord, making you think, "I can't believe that grumpy old man would struggle so much for Paco!"

The entire student body participated in the eve festival, and in the final scene, almost everyone was shedding tears, no joke.
Moreover, they weren't crying quietly; they were crying out loud so much that you couldn't hear the actors' voices. (Laughs)
The whole gymnasium was wrapped in a storm of emotion, and the actors were also crying during the curtain call.
It was like the climax of a music concert by a major artist.
"I can't believe the venue could become this united; theater is amazing!"I vividly remember being moved by that.

University Days | "Experience art that can only be tasted in that moment!"

Although I was so moved when I was a junior high student, I didn't have the opportunity to see plays for a while after that...

It wasn't until I became a university student that I actively went to see plays.
In one class, a professor suddenly yelled at us, "Just go see plays and dance!" (Laughs)

The professor taught us, "Experience art that can only be tasted in that moment!"

Moreover, theater has discount services like "U25" (25 years old and under), so the younger you are, the cheaper you can see it.
I often used the New National Theatre's "U25 Discount Ticket."Ticket prices for plays and ballet are half the regular price, and opera S and A seats are under 5,000 yen!
The switch flipped, and I thought, "If it's going to be cheaper, I have to go see as much as I can while I still can!"

The first thing I saw at the New National Theatre was the ballet "Cinderella," which the professor had recommended. I was drawn in by the ballet dancers' outstanding expressive power and the beautiful stage art, and I enjoyed it, losing track of time.
Completely captivated, I went to the theater as long as my pocket money lasted, not just for ballet, but also for plays, opera, dance, and classical music concerts.
Looking back now, I think it was a very luxurious time to be able to see high-level works at such a low price.

Present | Working as a secretariat staff member for a theater festival

Although I went to the theater constantly during my university days, after I started working, I became busy and could hardly visit anymore.
When I was a university student, I saw at least one play a month, but now I'm lucky if I can go once a year...

However, after becoming a freelancer, I happened to get deeply involved in theater!
When I was thinking about 'wanting to become a freelancer' after giving birth, I had the opportunity to go to lunch with a staff member of a theater festival.
I asked about their work and consulted with them, saying, 'I'm preparing to become a freelancer.'

Around January 2021, just as I was getting excited about 'finally becoming a freelancer!', that person reached out to me, and I was able to work as a secretariat staff member for the theater festival!
(I can never thank that person enough...)

Until now, I had enjoyed theater as a customer, but I was able to learn about the behind-the-scenes work,
such as how works are created and how they are promoted.
The directors and actors, as well as everyone involved, love theater, and their enthusiasm from the preparation stage is incredible.I am truly happy to be able to work with people who have turned their 'love' into a passion for theater.

It has been nearly 20 years since my heart was touched by theater when I was in junior high school.
Currently, my opportunities to visit the theater have decreased due to work and raising children, but my love for it remains unchanged!
Also, being close to the creative scene through my theater work gives me a lot of inspiration.

From now on, I hope to introduce theater that can be seen at affordable prices and programs that even small children can enjoy on note!
As a customer and as a member of the staff supporting theater, I want to convey the charm of theater to as many people as possible.

Discord Name: Natsumi Hamada
#WebWriterLab2406ColumnProject