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Interview with Gift’s ‘Jim’, Gareth Thomas

(English Below) 名古屋プレイヤーズは今回も素晴らしい役者さんたちに恵まれ、その中でも特にギャレス・トーマスさんの演技は必見！！

彼は名古屋プレイヤーズでの出演は初めてですが、母国イギリスにて幼少期より舞台に上がり、最近ではKPBシアターズのオリジナル作品「Gerry in The Attic」や「Double Agent」というショートプレイにも出演しました。

今回の舞台「賢者の贈り物」では不器用ながら憎めない夫の役を演じ、チャーミングで愛らしい人柄が観客の皆さんを虜にしてしまうでしょう。
そのギャレスさんがインタビューでご自身の事やクリスマスの本当の意味を語ってくれました。
１２月７日（土）８日（日）東文化小劇場にて出演する彼の舞台を是非見に来てください。

チケットは、キャスト、クルー及びIPEアカデミーにてご購入いただけます。
オンライン及びチケットぴあ（P-Code 495-574）でもお求めになれます。　

Nagoya Players has been blessed with a history of strong Lead Male Actors, but amongst the best is Gareth Thomas.

The Gift of the Magi will be Gareth’s first show with Nagoya Players, but he’s no stranger to the stage. He’s been performing since childhood and was most recently featured in KPB Theater’s original musical Gerry in The Attic, as well as their short play Double Agents.

Gareth plays a bumbling, yet loving husband, JIM in The Gift of the Magi. His character simply oozes charm. We’re certain you’ll fall in love with him too.

Gareth sat down for an interview to discuss his background, recent roles and the meaning of Christmas.

Please watch Gareth and this amazing performance on stage, Dec 7-8, Higashi Playhouse.

Tickets available from Cast, Crew and Show Supporter IPE Academy.
Also available online and at select convenience stores via TicketPia, P-Code 495-574.

TicketPia
https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=1927526

Special Thanks to KPB Theatre
https://www.kpbtheatre.com/

Photography Credits
Minoru Sato

Geof Griggs
https://www.geoffreygriggsphotography.com/

The Gift of the Magi Dancers

(日本語訳は英語訳の後に続きます)

We put the Cabaret in Christmas!

The dancing team of Valeriya Takazato, Emily Bailey and Thais Sayuri have been working hard for the past few months on their specially choreographed routine by Show Choreographer Jeff Fritch for our next show, The Gift of the Magi.

It’s very tastefully done and appropriate for all ages. It’s just a bit of spice to add to your Christmas Holiday;)

But why stop with cabaret?! We also have a very fun Tap Dance featuring Chiharu Sakamoto and Angeline Lagedamon, also choreographed by Jeff.

We recently did a photo shoot with everyone in their fabulous costumes. Special thanks to Chiyoko Uchiyama from Halentino for accessorizing our lovely dancers!

Please check out the amazing photos by Geof Griggs!

This show has it all! Dancing, singing, music and acting! We’re getting pretty excited!!

Tickets still available from Cast, Crew and Show Supporter IPE Academy.
Also available online and at select convenience stores via TicketPia, P-Code 495-574.

TicketPia
https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=1927526

クリスマスにダンスでエキサイティング！！

ダンス振付け師ジェフ・フリッチ率いるダンスチーム　ヴァレリア・タカザト、エミリー・ベイリー、タイース・サユリ３名は数ヶ月間少しづつ練習を積み重ねてきました。このトリオが披露するダンスは全ての年齢層の方に楽しんでいただけるよう振り付けされ、クリスマスを彩る素敵な１場面となりそうです！

もう一つのダンスチームはチハル・サカモト、アンジェリン・ラジェダモンの２人。タップダンスで観客を魅了します。もちろん、ジェフ・フリッチによる振り付けです。そして、１０月１９日にコスチューム担当のチヨコ・ウチヤマさんの協力でダンスチームの写真撮影が行われました。素晴らしいコスチュームはダンスをより一層引き立たせてくれます！

撮影担当はジェフ・グリッグスです。

（振付け師ジェフ・フリッチとカメラマンのジェフ・グリッグスは同じジェフですが、別人なのでおまちがいなく）

舞台は英語劇にダンス・歌・ミュージックが加わり、しんみりとした切ないお話なのに、とても楽しくエキサイティングなスパイスを効かせてくれます。お楽しみに！

チケットは、キャスト、クルー及びIPEアカデミーより
または、オンライン及びチケットぴあ（P-Code 495-574）でもご購入いただけます。

TicketPia
https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=1927526

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Interview with Will Taylor, General Union

Working in the deepest, darkest offices, meeting rooms and work spaces is Will Taylor, acting Chair for the Tokai Branch of the General Union. Will is always hard at work fighting the good fight for worker rights. The GU is expert at negotiating on behalf of employees who are faced with the oft confounding and belaboring work conditions in Japan. If you’re in need of council regarding a workplace situation please contact Will and the GU. And please remember the GU is membership based, so it’s advised to become a member before you have a problem. Your chances of a satisfactory resolution will be that much higher.

Thank you Will for the interview. To get us started, could you tell us a little bit about your history with Nagoya Players?

I’ve been around the Nagoya Players in one capacity or another for a few years now, since sheesh, 2008 now that I think about it. I started out as a replacement for an actor who had to leave The Boys Next Door, then did the sound design work for The Red Oni Cried, acted again in Three Guys One Pub, directed Anger (an adaptation of 12 Angry Men)…other behind the scenes stuff…just all kinds of stuff really.

So, you’ve been an actor and director? Which did you enjoy more? Why?

To be honest I don’t rightly know. I like knowing about the nuts and bolts of stuff, how the sausage is really made, so to speak, so directing, doing backstage stuff definitely interested me, but it is also a boatload of emotions. Acting is stressful in a way, but also relatively straightforward? You focus more on one job.

Now please tell us about your work with the GU? How did you get involved? And what exactly do you do?

I’ve been with the GU since around 2011 I think. I joined when I was working with a large dispatch company that rhymes with Similac. I grew up in Chicago, which has a history of strong unions and union activism, particularly the Teacher’s Union there. I decided to get more involved since as I mentioned, I like knowing how stuff works, and learning more about how labor laws work (or in many cases don’t work) here has helped me help others. I am the chair of the Tokai Branch, which mostly involves trying to help people wade through issues with their employer, or educate people about the rights they have. Japan has a number of surprisingly progressive labor laws, just poor enforcement of them, and a tendency to discourage people from speaking out.

Where does your passion for defending workers’ rights come from? It’s a rather thankless job at times and can come with a lot of headaches and stress. Why do you do it?

Workers deserve to be treated with respect. Before coming to Japan, I used to do some volunteer work with a labor law clinic in the South Bay Area in California. It was maddening seeing what employers would try to get away with simply because they thought they could intimidate people, bully them, or simply pull the wool over their eyes. I really hate that sort of shit (pardon the language).

So, we know the GU stands up for workers rights. But it has also stood up for the arts. The GU has a history of supporting Nagoya Players and we’re very happy to have your support again. Could you please share with us your thoughts on community theater and why you’ve chosen to support it?

Nagoya Players is a wonderful resource for the arts. It’s a real community theater, drawing on people from any background, foreign or Japanese, regardless of skill or talent (I knew jack and shit about acting before doing it), and welcomes anyone willing to just try to do stuff. It helps people find what works for them, and gets them together. I love that. I think we need that more than ever these days, you know? Putting on a show is an enormous task, god knows I know it, but the way teams pull together to do it is really a beautiful thing.

You’re a dad now, a full time teacher and serving as Chair for the Tokai Branch of the GU. What do we need to do to entice you back onto the stage?

Create more hours in the day? I confess I get the itch every once in awhile, but I think my wife would seriously consider stabbing me if I added more things to my plate. Maybe once the kid starts elementary school and is wrapped around my leg a little less XD

Thank you for your time Will. And thanks to all the wonderful people at the GU for all the amazing work they do.

For more information on the GU and to become a member:

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/GeneralUnionJapan/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/general_union_japan/

Homepage
http://www.generalunion.org/

The Gift of the Magi & The Spirit of Christmas

(日本語ページ2)

In the hustle and bustle of daily life it’s easy to forget the things that truly matter. O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi is an old story but an everlasting and refreshing one. It’s only a few pages long but the message is strong and clear:

And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.

— The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

The greatest gift we can give to each other is the gift of ourselves. To sacrifice what is dear and special to us for the happiness of another holds more meaning and value than anything money can buy.

We live in a cynical age, where people are quick to tear down old beliefs and lambast tradition. Things evolve quickly and progress can easily wipe away old cultures. I believe O. Henry saw this too in the early 1900s as he sat down to write his famous tale. And while I’m an advocate for change, I also see clearly the importance of holding onto beliefs that highlight the beauty in humanity.

Christmas is an ever-changing holiday. A lot of what has made it special has sadly faded away over time. It is now, unfortunately, associated with notions of materialism and commercialism, which were never its original intent. Christmas is a time for reflection. A time to put the needs of others before our own. A time to give the gift of ourselves.

These thoughts were the inspiration for choosing The Gift of the Magi as Nagoya Players’ 2019 winter production. We wanted to capture all these ideas and feelings through a dynamic stage performance.

The characters of JIM and DELLA are our vehicles to deliver this message. Show Photographer Geof Griggs captured the magic between these two timeless characters. Pictures speak a thousand words, and these photographs tell the story well. This is just a taste of what we have planned for the stage this December. To get more of that loving feeling please join us for the performance on Dec. 7-8 at Higashi Playhouse.

Special thanks to Mami Ito Delaney for being an awesome production assistant on a drizzly, cloudy day. She’s also the brilliant graphic designer for our amazing show flyer. And praises to Valeriya Takazato for the awesome make-up job. You’ll get to see more of Valeriya on stage as our vixen cabaret dancer SADDIE. She’s a graceful and vivacious performer, don’t miss it!

And one more special thanks to Handa Red Brick Building (半田赤レンガ建物) for allowing us the use of their historic and fascinating space for the photo shoot.

For more information on the The Gift of the Magi please visit:
http://nagoyaplayers.org/shows/the-gift-of-the-magi

Tickets available from Cast, Crew, IPE Academy and TicketPia (P-Code 495-574)

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Act in English at Saorina

This past year Nagoya Players has been working with performers and educators to design shows and programs that cater to the needs of our local communities. One area we felt could use some attention was English performance activities for youth. Veteran NP performer Biagino Cristiano joined us as acting coach and English instructor for our new workshop series for children, Act in English.

Biagino lead a special, limited-time, summer camp at Saorina in Tsu-City, Mie Prefecture. The camp ran for a total of ten days. Children learned the basics of theater performance and were led through a series of warm up exercises to strengthen the body, enhance the power of their voices, improve pronunciation and learn how to express emotion.

Each session was an energetic hour of cooperation games, scene work and English practice. The children learned a short play, The Animals and the Plague based on the famous fable by Aesop. On their tenth and final day they gave a mini-performance to an audience of very proud moms and dads. Upon completion of the camp they received their acting certificates and some of them now believe they’re ready for the big stage!

Act in English: Saorina was a huge success. Biagino will be running his own workshop inspired by the Act in English curriculum called, Drama in English in Kameyama, Mie on select dates from September to November. For more information please visit Biagino’s school website, Matsusaka English:

http://matsusakaenglish.com

Act in English is a part of Nagoya Player’s English Education Initiative.The Act in English workshop is also available on an ongoing basis in Nagoya city at Show Supporter IPE Academy, in Imaike. Please visit their website for more information:

http://ipeacademy.com/eigogeki/act-in-english

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名城大学にてインプロ・ワークショップ

Improv Workshop at Meijo University (English on Page 2)

若いエネルギーに圧倒！！！

名古屋プレイヤーズは、名城大学にてインプロ・ワークショップを開催しました。インプロとは即興演劇の事で、昨今注目を浴びつつある興味深い演劇方法です。

経験豊かなジョン・エイハンがエクササイズ・ゲーム・アクティビティを取り入れ、若い学生さんたちを巧みに巻き込み、積極的でエキサイティングなワークショップとなりました。このワークショップは名城大学で新設された演劇コース３・４年生の各クラスに１コマづつ、大学の英語学習の一環として企画されたプログラムです。年内にはオスカーワイルドによる「真面目が肝心」という劇を日本語と英語で演じるそうです！これは見逃せませんね。

では、即興演劇が一体どのように演技に役に立つのでしょうか？実は即興の技術は演技の幅を広げるのに大いに役に立つのです。即興の能力は素早い洞察力を身につけ、相手の言動の予想をつけ、急な台本変更などに素早く対応できる力を養い豊かな発想へ発展していきます。これは演技者が幅の広い演技力を向上させるのに繋がります。

このワークショップでは学生たちが心を開き、自己表現が向上できるように指導しました。なぜなら、日本人は言われた通り台本通りの演技をしがちで、想像力に欠けた型どおりの退屈な演技になることが少なくないからです。即興には台本がありません。

パフォーマンスのエネルギーと足並みを相手役者とどのように揃えるかもジョン・エイハンは指導しました。「ナンバーズ」「フロッキング」「ワンワード」「プレゼント」などを通してどのように演技をし物語につなげていくかを学びました。「オファーとアクセプト」（アイデアをどんどん出し合って話を進める」ことが即興演劇の練習です。ありのままの全てを受け入れ、想像力を使って話を深め、演技力を高めていきます。

たった１回のワークショップでしたが、学生たちは見事な成長をみせてくれました。学生たちは準備万端で、熱心に取り組み難しい局面でも諦めませんでした。俳優になる熱意を感じ、近い将来彼らがステージに立つ姿を心待ちにしています。

発声法、演劇法、舞台美術や舞台大工など、他にもワークショップを企画しています。名城大学以外でも各種学校、大学、団体でワークショップ開催ご希望がありましたら、是非、名古屋プレイヤーズまでご連絡ください。お待ちしています。NagoyaPlayers@gmail.com


写真

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ESL Magic Class Wrap Up

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(English Below)

エキサイッティングなMr.ジョーのマジックショーは不思議がいっぱい。卵のマジック、ハンカチのトランスフォーミング、ロープの不思議、カード遊び、トイレットペーパーのティミー。。。次々とマジックが披露され、参加者みなさん、驚きの連続でとっても楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。

ワークショップの終盤にはオリジナル子供用マジックキッドが配られ、アシスタントのエリーさんと一緒にリングを使ったトリックや紐とビーズのトリックを練習しました。紐とビーズの手品は道具が小さかったので、ビーズに紐を通したりするのが大変でしたが、なんとか全員が完成し、ちびっこ手品師が誕生しました！！

たった１時間のワークショップでしたが、子供達の目は輝き、日常では味わえない特別な体験だったと思います。

これからももっと面白い不思議なマジックを披露していく予定です。
今後のマジックショーの予定はフェイスブック、インスタグラム、ツイッターでご覧いただくか、名古屋プレイヤーズ・ニュースレター購読のお申込みをいただきますと便利です。

It was an absolutely enchanting day at our ESL Magic Class.

Mr Joe wowed kids and parents with a fun and unique performance. There were magical eggs, a transforming handkerchief, shape changing ropes, card tricks and a live roll of toilet paper named Timmy!

After the performance Mr Joe and our lovely assistant Ellie handed out specially made kits. Each kit contained a set of tricks and tools for the kids to use. They learned how to levitate rings, how to make cards suddenly change suit, and how to pass a necklace chain through solid objects. The tricks were a bit challenging and took many tries but they were finally able to do them!

The next generation of magicians shows a lot of promise. We only spent an hour with them, but we can already see the spark for performance in their eyes. We can’t wait to see what new tricks they learn and amaze us with in the future!

More ESL Magic Classes are currently being planned. Please join us for the next one to learn even more secrets. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and sign up for our brand new Newsletter to get information and announcements about future workshops.

Aesop’s Fables @Chubu Walkathon Wrap Up

Outdoor shows are one of the biggest challenges in the world of theater. Not only do you have to act, but you’ve got to do it in the elements, rain or shine!

今回のアウトドアでの公演は初めての試みでとても実りある公演だったと思います。演技だけに集中するのではなく、太陽光の当たり方、強さ、風、雨などの劇場内では感じられない部分がたくさんありました。

The Aesop’s Fables team took on the challenge and put together a fun and energetic show at the 2019 Chubu Walkathon. Thankfully there was plenty of sun, but the wind wasn’t our friend that day! Even so, the cast raised their abilities to another level and fought through the wind to entertain the audience.

「イソップ」チームはみんなで力を合わせ協力しあって、２０１９年中部ウォーカソンに臨みおかげさまで、キャスト・クルー共々多くを学べ、ステップアップできた公演でした。

The Walkathon was a load of fun. We were very honored to be a part of such a fantastic charity event.

Aesop’s Fables will begin touring around Japan this Fall. If you’d like to have the show performed at your school or event please write us an email, NagoyaPlayers@gmail.com. We want to bring the show to as many children and families as possible. It’s a great show to inspire language education and cultural exchange!

長年恒例行事となっている米国商工会議所主催のこのイベントに参加でき、とても光栄に思います。

「イソップ物語」は日本国内のツアー公演をこの秋より開催します。学校行事、地域の行事などでの公園の依頼を受け付け中です。日本各地で一人でも多くの子供達にこの英語劇「イソップ物語」を届け、英語教育に役立てられ、異文化交流ができるよう願っています。

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Aesop Party! Wrap Up

And the party don’t stop till the break o’ dawn!

「イソップ物語」キャスト、クルー、スタッフ、サポーター、スクールXlingual
みんな集まりお酒を交えてゲームやディスカッションをしながら、楽しい時間を過ごしました。

What an incredible night! The Cast & Crew of Aesop’s Fables gathered at Show Supporter, Xlingual, for a night of games, discussion and LOTS of drinking!

パーティはまず、「この人は誰でしょう？」例えば、「ロバの鳴き声が上手な人を探してください」とか「３ヶ国語以上話せる人を探してください」など、緊張がほぐれるように楽しいゲームから始まりました。

We started the night with a round of Find Someone Who… and discovered that many of the guests could speak three or more languages, could sing well, and could Heeee Haaaaw! like a donkey.

マジシャンのMr.ジョーも手品を披露。デニースがアシスタントとなり、ルービックキューブとお馴染みのマジックロープでみんなを驚かせてくれました。

Magician Mr Joe made an appearance as well. He wowed everyone one with some cool Rubik’s Cube tricks and his signature magic rope. With help from his new assistant Denise he stunned the crowd with a very clever card trick too.

そして「Pin the Tail on the Donkey」目隠しをして、壁に描いてあるロバのお尻にしっぽをピン打ちするゲームを楽しみました。ミツラちゃんが見事にロバのお尻にしっぽをつけてくれ一等賞をゲット。

We then played a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey but it went pretty quickly. Our champion, Mitra, pinned the tail on her first try and won the prize.

その後、パーティのメインパート、キャストとクルーによるパネルディスカション。Xリンガルのブライアンさんが進行を勤め「イソップ物語」制作に関する裏話が飛び交いました。その中にディレクターのショーン　マーラーはどんな監督さん？という問いかけに「穏やかだが、芯がある」という回答をくれました。楽しい時間はあっという間に過ぎてしまうものでワインもたっぷりとあり終電さえ乗らなくてもよければ一晩中でも話しあかせそうなひと時でした。

We then moved on to the highlight of the evening, a panel discussion with the Cast & Crew. Brian moderated the talk and we heard a lot of interesting and insightful details about the making of Aesop’s Fables. The Cast took questions from the audience and we learned that Director Shawn Mahler, is patient but firm. We could have talked all night but there was plenty more wine to drink!

パーティに参加いただいた方々、ありがとうございました。おかげさまで、「イソップ物語」プロダクションを無事に素晴らしい形で終了することができました。

The party went into full swing and we ended up drinking and chatting till midnight! If it wasn’t for last train we may never have gone home!

Thank you to everyone who attended the party, it was such a special way to bring the first production of Aesop’s Fables to a close.

でも、待って！！
「イソップ物語」はまだ終わりではありません。今後も名古屋プレイヤーズのホームページを引き続きご覧ください。続々と企画が掲載されます。次回の公演も皆様の暖かいご支援とご協力を賜りますよう宜しくお願い致します。

Aesop’s Fables isn’t done yet. Please check back on NagoyaPlayers.org, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get announcements about future shows and events. And please join us the next time we throw a party. It’s a lot of fun!!

Aesop’s Fables Dress Rehearsal Slideshow

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We recently wrapped our production of Aesop’s Fables this past weekend. It was a fantastic show and such a memorable experience. Thank you to everyone who joined us, you made it a very special weekend.

Show Photographer, Geof Grigs stopped by our dress rehearsal to capture the magic.

Please enjoy the gallery! Aesop’s Fables was quite a success. We’re making plans to put it on stage again in the near future. So, if you missed it the first time you’ll get a second chance. Or if you loved the first time you’ll get to see your favorite characters again! Stay tuned for more details and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get instant announcements.

For portrait, family, wedding, maternity, business or event photos please visit:
www.geoffreygriggsphotography.com

Costumes by Shoji Fujii of Arimatsu Shibori Some:
www.arimatsushibori.jp

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