Kyogen Workshop and Performance
The Okura School of Kyogen Theatre by the Shigeyama Family
Workshop: Tuesday, March 23
Sixty high school students from Julian
High and Oak Park River Forest High Schools participated in a hands-on
workshop with the Shigeyama Family in which they learned about movement
and voicing in Kyogen theater. Watch the short video with excerpts from the
workshop.
Performances: Tuesday March 23 & Wednesday March 24, 2010
International House Assembly Hall
1414 East 59th Street Chicago,
IL 60637
Free and open to the public.
View the Poster | View
the video of the entire performance.
Kyogen is
Japan's oldest form of spoken drama. It is closely associated with the
Noh drama and was originally performed between the acts of a Noh play.
But while Noh themes are mostly solemn, Kyogen presents a comical or
satirical view of everyday situations, making it easy to enjoy.
Originating from the Muramachi Period of the 14th century, the humorous
stories in Kyogen Theater are derived from typical domestic quarrels and
marital strife, and each story makes use of circus-like performances.
The Shigeyama family has been performing Kyogen for over 400 years.
While preserving the authentic style of Kyogen, the Okura School
energetically experiments with new types and styles of this ancient
comedic theater. During their North American tour, with shows at the
Smithsonian Freer Gallery in Washington, DC, and at the University of
Chicago's International House, the Okura School will perform "Kaki
Yamabushi" (The Permsimmon Thief), "Kusabira" (Mushrooms) and "Sanbaso"
(Celebration of Fertility, Good Harvests, and the New Year).
This
event was co-sponsored by the International House Global Voices
Performing Arts Series, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, the
Japan Foundation, and the Center for East Asian Studies at the
University of Chicago.
