Festival/Tokyo
Festival/Tokyo (F/T) is an annual performing arts event that presents work from a wide range of cultures, generations, and styles.
The 2015 festival is the eighth F/T and the theme is “Border Fusion”, featuring a lineup of contemporary performing arts from Japan and overseas, as well as a program of satellite events of screenings, talks, lectures, and more.
Our lives are enclosed by many kinds of borders, including those of nationality, generation, values, and experience. Art, however, possesses the ability to transcend these boundaries and re-inquire into the nature of society. Through the performing arts, F/T aspires to share this ability with audiences and create dialogue across borders.
The Main Program includes co-productions created by leading Japanese performing arts practitioners with overseas partners, as well as performing arts works that link theatre with music, and work inspired by the experience of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima disaster. Like last year, the festival focuses on new work created through partnerships between artists working in different fields.
Overseas artists participating in the festival include Angélica Liddell, the Spanish talent who will be presenting her visionary work for the first time in Japan, and Théâtre de la Ville-Paris, one of the leading playhouses in Europe. Continuing on from last year’s look at Korea, the Asia Series turns to Myanmar and showcases three exciting artists from the burgeoning local scene.
In addition to the 12 productions in the F/T Main Program, there are also 18 productions in the F/T Affiliated Program, which introduces other examples of theatre and dance happening in the Tokyo region around the same time as the festival, as well as the Asian Performing Arts Festival 2015, which also happens during the festival period.
F/T Volunteer Supporters
F/T Volunteer Supporters is a new program for F/T15 aimed at people interested in the arts and theatre, and who want to participate directly in the festival. Formerly known as F/T Crew, the F/T Volunteer Supporters are a dedicated team who help make Festival/Tokyo 2015 happen. The volunteers take part in the festival as office staff, backstage crew, box office staff, and a wide range of other positions.
Festival Overview
| Name: | Festival/Tokyo 2015 (F/T15) |
| Period: | October 31st (Sat) to December 6th (Sun), 2015 |
| Venues: | Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Owlspot Theater Nishi-Sugamo Arts Factory Asahi Art Square Saitama Arts Theater Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park Former Toshima City 10th Junior High School, and more |
| Programs: | F/T Main Program (12 productions, 3 event programs) |
| F/T Affiliated Program (18 productions) |
| Organizers: | Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee, Toshima City, Toshima Future Culture Foundation, NPO Arts Network Japan (NPO-ANJ), Arts Council Tokyo & Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture) |
| Produced in association with Japanese Centre of International Theatre Institute Asia Series co-produced by the Japan Foundation Asia Center Sponsored by Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Shiseido Co., Ltd. Endorsed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GEIDANKYO, J-WAVE 81.3 FM |
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| Special co-operation from SEIBU IKEBUKUROHONTEN, TOBU DEPARTMENT STORE IKEBUKURO, TOBU RAILWAY CO., LTD., Sunshine City Corporation, Chacott Co., Ltd. | |
| In co-operation with Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Toshima, Toshima City Shopping Street Federation, Toshima City Federation, Toshima City Tourism Association, Toshima Industry Association, Toshima Corporation Association, Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Shopping Street Federation, NPO Zephyr, Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo, Hotel Grand City, Ikebukuro Hotel Association | |
| PR Support: Poster Hari's Company | |
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan in the fiscal 2015
Supported by Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Japan
(2021 Fund for Creation of Society by the Arts and Culture)
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| Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee | |
| Advisors: | Man Nomura (Chairman, Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations, Noh actor) |
| Yoshiharu Fukuhara (Honorary Chairman, Shiseido Co., Ltd.) | |
| Honorary President of the Executive Committee: | Yukio Takano, Mayor of Toshima City |
| Chair of the Executive Committee: | Hitoshi Ogita (Adviser to Board, Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.) |
| Vice Chair of the Executive Committee: | Sachio Ichimura (Director, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ]) |
| Akira Kurihara (Director of Culture, Commerce and Industry Division of Toshima City) | |
| Akira Touzawa (Director of Secretariat of Toshima Future Culture Foundation) | |
| Committee Members: | Motoki Ozaki (President, Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Corporate Advisor, Kao Corporation) |
| Sumiko Kumakura (Professor, Department of Musical Creativity and the Environment, Tokyo University of the Arts) | |
| Yukihiro Saito (General Manager, Corporate Culture Department, Shiseido Co., Ltd.) | |
| Atsuko Suzuki (General Manager, Social & Environmental Department, Asahi Breweries, Ltd.) | |
| Masami Suzuki (Chairman, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Toshima) | |
| Taeko Nagai (Chairman, Japanese Centre of International Theatre Institute) | |
| Kouichi Ozawa (Culture, Commerce and Industry Division of Toshima City, Director of Cultural Design Section) | |
| Masato Kishi (Executive Manager of Toshima Future Culture Foundation) | |
| Naoko Hasuike (Representative, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ]) | |
| Hirotomo Kojima (Board Member, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ]) | |
| Supervisor: | Sayoko Suzuki (General Affairs Division, Director of General Affairs Section of Toshima City) |
| Legal Advisors: | Kensaku Fukui, Hisato Kitazawa (Kotto Dori Law Office) |
| Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee Secretariat | |
| Directors Committee | |
| Representative: | Sachio Ichimura |
| Deputy Representative: | Hirotomo Kojima, Chika Kawai |
| Members: | Madoka Ashihara, Orie Kiyuna, Akiko Juman, Rie Nagahara, Masahiko Yokobori |
| Administrative Director: | Madoka Ashihara |
| Production Co-ordinators: | Hirotomo Kojima, Chika Kawai Orie Kiyuna, Akiko Juman, Mayuko Arakawa, Shiori Sunagawa, Luna Matsushima, Toshifumi Matsumiya, Takako Yokoi, Yumiko Okazaki, Ayano Misao |
| Public Relations, Sales & Planning: | Rie Nagahara, Kyoko Yokokawa |
| Accounting: | Kumiko Tsutsumi, Miwa Taniguchi |
| Administrators: | Saki Hirata, Naoko Hasuike, Hisayoshi Isshiki |
| Ticket Center: | Yumiko Sasaki, Kumiko Sato |
| Technical Director: | Eiji Torakawa |
| Assistant Technical Director: | Chizuru Kouno |
| Lighting Co-ordination: | Makiko Sasaki (Factor Co., Ltd.) |
| Sound Co-ordination: | Akira Aikawa (Sound Weeds Inc.) |
| Art Direction: | Yoshio Ujiie (Ujiie planning office) |
| Illustrations: | naomi@paris,tokyo |
| Website: | Masaya Takeshita (Ujiie planning office) |
| PR: | Frontier Enterprise Co., Ltd. |
| Publicity Support: | Yuko Yukawa |
| Overseas Public Relations, Translation: | William Andrews |
| Merchandise: | Jun Watanabe |
| Ticket Administration: | Votre, Ltd. |
| Writing & Editing: | Rieko Suzuki |
Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee
Advisors:
Man Nomura
(Chairman, Japan Council of Performers Rights & Performing Arts Organizations, Noh actor)
Yoshiharu Fukuhara
Honorary President of the Executive Committee:
Yukio Takano
Mayor of Toshima City
Chair of the Executive Committee:
Hitoshi Ogita
(Adviser to Board, Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.)
Vice Chair of the Executive Committee:
Sachio Ichimura
(Director, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ])
Akira Kurihara
(Director of Culture, Commerce and Industry Division of Toshima City)
Akira Touzawa
(Director of Secretariat of Toshima Future Culture Foundation)
Committee Members:
Motoki Ozaki
(President, Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, Corporate Advisor, Kao Corporation)
Sumiko Kumakura
(Professor, Department of Musical Creativity and the Environment, Tokyo University of the Arts)
Yukihiro Saito
(General Manager, Corporate Culture Department, Shiseido Co., Ltd.)
Atsuko Suzuk
(General Manager, Social & Environmental Department, Asahi Breweries, Ltd.)
Masami Suzuki
(Chairman, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Toshima)
Taeko Nagai
(Chairman, Japanese Centre of International Theatre Institute)
Kouichi Ozawa
(Culture, Commerce and Industry Division of Toshima City, Director of Cultural Design Section)
Masato Kishi
(Executive Manager of Toshima Future Culture Foundation)
Naoko Hasuike
(Representative, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ])
Hirotomo Kojima
(Board Member, NPO Arts Network Japan [NPO-ANJ])
Supervisor:
Sayoko Suzuki
(General Affairs Division, Director of General Affairs Section of Toshima City)
Legal Advisors:
Kensaku Fukui, Hisato Kitazawa (Kotto Dori Law Office)
Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee Secretariat
Directors Committee
Representative:
Sachio Ichimura
Deputy Representative:
Hirotomo Kojima, Chika Kawai
Members:
Madoka Ashihara, Orie Kiyuna, Akiko Juman, Rie Nagahara, Masahiko Yokobori
Administrative Director:
Madoka Ashihara
Production Co-ordinators:
Hirotomo Kojima, Chika Kawai
Orie Kiyuna, Akiko Juman, Mayuko Arakawa, Shiori Sunagawa, Luna Matsushima, Toshifumi Matsumiya, Takako Yokoi, Yumiko Okazaki, Ayano Misao
Public Relations, Sales & Planning:
Rie Nagahara, Kyoko Yokokawa
Accounting:
Kumiko Tsutsumi, Miwa Taniguchi
Administrators:
Saki Hirata, Naoko Hasuike, Hisayoshi Isshiki
Ticket Center
Yumiko Sasaki, Kumiko Sato
Technical Manager:
Eiji Torakawa
Assistant Technical Manager:
Chizuru Kouno
Lighting Co-ordination:
Makiko Sasaki(Factor Co., Ltd.)
Sound Co-ordination:
Akira Aikawa(Sound Weeds Inc.)
Art Direction
Yoshio Ujiie(Ujiie planning office)
Illustrations:
naomi@paris,tokyo
Website:
Masaya Takeshita(Ujiie planning office)
PR:
Frontier Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Publicity Support:
Yuko Yukawa
Overseas Public Relations, Translation:
William Andrews
Merchandise:
Jun Watanabe
Ticket Administration:
Votre, Ltd.
Writing & Editing:
Rieko Suzuki
Greetings
International interest in Tokyo continues to grow ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Against this backdrop, Toshima City is also aspiring to be a safe and energetic community as an international artistic city.
Festival/Tokyo (F/T) is Japan’s largest performing arts event. Through the previous seven festivals, F/T has established itself as a theatre festival that creates new artistic values and presents them to global audiences. At F/T15, the eighth festival, the lineup features a wide range of works that transcend nationality, generation and genre. Following its success last year, we once again welcome PROJECT FUKUSHIMA!, who join with local businesses and partners to create an exciting opening event. We are working to raise the appeal of Ikebukuro as a theatre district through this international festival and build a theatre city for everyone.
Lastly, I would like to offer my thanks to Hitoshi Ogita, Chair of the Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee, and everyone who has helped organize the festival. Please enjoy the festival.
Yukio Takano
Festival/Tokyo Honorary President of the Executive Committee
Mayor of Toshima City
Festival/Tokyo began in 2009 as an international performing arts event held mostly in the Ikebukuro area, and has now staged over 165 productions and reached audiences of more than 360,000.
F/T15 is the eighth festival and programs a wide range of performing arts, including visits by artists active at leading theatres and festivals in Europe, as well as diverse others from Japan and elsewhere around the world.
As we head towards the 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, this international festival will help to create new global artistic values, as well as strengthen networks with other festivals, theatres and cultural organizations around Japan, aspiring to contribute to cultural interchange that transcends regional and national boundaries.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japan Foundation Asia Center, our corporate sponsors, regional organizations, and the many others who have given us their generous support and co-operation.
Hitoshi Ogita
Chair of the Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee
Festival/Tokyo is one of the projects organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, in partnership with arts bodies and non-profit organizations, in order to create a global, cultural city.
The festival launched in February 2009, since when it has continued to present a program of leading arts from Japan and around the world. This year marks the eighth festival, now firmly established as an international performing arts event in Tokyo that presents new arts and culture. Alongside Festival/Tokyo, the Asian Performing Arts Festival also takes place in the city, creating opportunities for encounters through the stage arts.
In March this year, Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced the Tokyo Cultural Vision, which looks ahead to 2025. Arts and culture in Tokyo are supported by their originality and diversity, a unique symbiosis of the contemporary and the traditional. As this culture of past, present, and future influences each other and enhances its values, large-scale festivals of Tokyo’s diverse, rich arts and culture will gradually evolve.
In order to realize this, we can expect the achievements of Festival/Tokyo will be appraised and become opportunities for further development.
Katsunori Miyoshi
Director General
Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
The position of festival director has become established faster than I imagined, so now is the time to re-examine the qualities of the role. Japan and Japanese education does not suppose there is such an occupation, nor does it consider how directors can be cultivated. Our Directors Committee is always thinking about and discussing this, and has made great efforts to move forward with the debate. Starting with this festival, the appointment of director was agreed by the Festival/Tokyo Executive Committee. In the future I hope to reach a resolution to this issue.
The world seems to be in the middle of great changes. Can Festival/Tokyo add something to the world? Changes are also conspicuous in the art world. I want to make a festival for developing creative things that spread out into the world through examining society and delving into local regions, whether it be with artists or with activists.
Sachio Ichimura
Directors Committee Representative
Festival/Tokyo 2015
