Drama “THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN”

The Tokyo International Players invite you to enjoy their production of the comic play “THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN” (written by Bertolt Brecht, translated by John Willett, and directed by Graig Russell) from October 18th-21st at the Bonbon Theater in Nakano (Nakano St. on JR and Tozai lines). There will be five performances in total over four days.

Description of the play
“Shen Teh, a kind hearted woman from the slums, sets out on a new life after receiving a gift of one thousand silver dollars from the gods. But it isn’t long before needy neighbours, a questionable love affair, and abandonment by the gods threaten to overwhelm the beleaguered Shen. Can anyone be truly good, or must we all rely on a little ruthlessness and cunning to get by? This heartfelt, thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud-funny play will entertain and provoke in equal measure.”

EVENT: “THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN” by Bertolt Brecht
WHEN: Oct 18th-21st
WHERE: Bonbon Theater in Nakano’s Pocket Square (Click HERE for a map)

COST: The play is not free but there is a generous student discount

The Tokyo International Players (TIP) was founded in 1896. Its members have mainly been made up of talent from the Tokyo foreign community, but Japanese cast members and supporting staff have also played key roles.

The organization, 100% volunteer-run, provides quality English-language entertainment for international audiences. Over its long history, many active members have appeared in professional theatre in Japan and abroad.

TIP is always looking for new on-stage talent, directors, designers, and backstage crew, as well as people to support their various front-of-house, fundraising, and promotional activities. They consider enthusiasm, energy, and a fun-loving nature to be more important than experience.

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Global Festa 2018 — Learning about the World

Something called “Global Festa Japan 2018” will be held on September 29th and 30th at the Odaiba Center Promenade in Tokyo. There will be films from the UNHCR 13th Annual Refugee Film Festival, a charity run, “talk shows” concerning various environmental issues, photo exhibits, musical performances, among many interesting and enjoyable events. NGOs representing numerous causes and issues will gather there, so it is an excellent chance for students who wish to take part in internships with domestic or international NGOs to see what’s available. Who knows…you might become inspired to change the world!

EVENT: Global Festa 2018/ グローバルフェスタJAPAN2018
WHEN: September 29th & 30th 2018 CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE
WHERE: At Odaiba Center Promenade in Tokyo.
COST: FREE

This YouTube video will give you an idea of what a previous year’s Global Festa looked like:

Here are just a few of the NGOs that will have participated in the event in the past:

Oxfam Japan
特定非営利活動法人 オックスファム・ジャパン

Action against Child Exploitation
世界の子どもを児童労働から守るNGOエース

Amnesty International Japan
公益社団法人アムネスティ・インターナショナル日本

TABLE FOR TWO International
テーブル フォー ツー インターナショナル

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UNHCR Film Festival

EVENT: The 13th UNHCR Refugee Film Festival/ 第13回UNHCR難民映画祭
WHEN: September 7, 2018 – October 7, 2018 CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE
WHERE: At two venues in Tokyo.
COST: FREE (donations gratefully accepted)

The 13th UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) Refugee Film Festival will take place from September 7 – October 7, 2018 in Tokyo at Odaiba Center Promenade and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Tokyo, in addition to screenings in Nagoya and Sapporo.

With serious refugee crises happening around the world, the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival, which is held in Japan each autumn, is more relevant than ever. The films on the festival’s program include dramas and documentaries dealing with refugees from such diverse countries as Lebanon, Myanmar, Iraq, and Syria. Some of the films focus on how the refugees adjust to their places of refuge and cope with day to day challenges.

Download the full brochure of the event!

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EU Film Days

From 26 May to 21 June a film festival of European films, called “EU Film Days, will be held in Tokyo at the National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ). See fascinating films from Estonia, Finland, The Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden, and Lithuania, among other European countries. All of the films have Japanese subtitles and some of them have English subtitles as well.

EVENT: EU Film Days
WHEN: From 26 May to 21 June
WHERE: National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ)CLICK HERE for directions
LANGUAGE: The films have Japanese subtitles; some have English subtitles as well.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Film fans and lovers of Europe

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Public Lecture on Art Workshops to Heal Children’s Hearts

The distinguished speaker, Ms. Harumi Torii, established the non-profit organization Kids Earth Fund (KEF) in 1988 from one drawing. A thoughtful drawing by her son reminded her that children with pure hearts are key in making the world a better place.

KEF supports children’s creative expression through art workshops and lets their vast imagination flourish. With their slogan, “Kids Helping Kids,” children in all kinds of situations continue to save and support each other. This NPO has held over 2,000 art workshops in 46 nations, as well as over 3,000 exhibitions.

Ms. Torii will speak about the importance of art for healing the hearts and minds of children, especially those who have gone through hardships in their lives. She believes in the tremendous power of children’s creativity.

Ms. Torii won a Women Innovation of the Year Award in 2016 and Kids Earth Fund has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year.


EVENT: Lecture: Let’s color the earth with children’s art
WHEN: Tuesday, June 12, 2018; From 1:20 PM – 2:50 PM
WHERE: 1135教室
TARGET AUDIENCE: All IE Students and any other interested parties

This newsletter  describes workshops that “Kids Earth Home” have carried out in Croatia, Palestine, and Turkey.

You can also find an interesting article in which Ms. Torii is profiled at https://journal.accj.or.jp/it-all-began-with-love/.

Here’s some feedback (WORD/PDF) provided by students who attended the lecture.

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Performance of Rock Musical “Tommy”

The Tokyo International Players invite you to enjoy their production of the musical “Tommy” (by Pete Townshend and directed by Jonah Hagans) from May 17th-20th at Nakano Pocket Square「THE POCKET」. There will be five performances in total over four days.

Description of the play
“After witnessing an accidental murder, young Tommy loses the ability to see, hear and speak. His family struggles to raise him until they discover an unexpected skill that will propel him to fame, fortune, and ultimately into a religious figurehead. Populated with colorful characters and a large ensemble, this rock and roll musical ride is thrilling and uplifting, and at times, dark and disturbing.”

EVENT: “Tommy” Directed by Jonah Hagans
WHEN: May 17th-20th
WHERE: Nakano Pocket Square (Click HERE for a map)

The Tokyo International Players (TIP) was founded in 1896. Its members have mainly been made up of talent from the Tokyo foreign community, but Japanese cast members and supporting staff have also played key roles.

The organization, 100% volunteer-run, provides quality English-language entertainment for international audiences. Over its long history, many active members have appeared in professional theatre in Japan and abroad.

TIP is always looking for new on-stage talent, directors, designers, and backstage crew, as well as people to support their various front-of-house, fundraising, and promotional activities. They consider enthusiasm, energy, and a fun-loving nature to be more important than experience.

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Summer Study in Portland

A summer study tour is being organized by AGU’s School of International Politics, Economics, and Communication (SIPEC) in Portland, Oregon (USA) and hosted by SIIC (Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication).

This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about intercultural communication and about American culture. In addition to lectures by the distinguished scholar, Dr. John Condon, visits to local attractions, businesses, and families will be arranged. The study trip will last for two weeks, Aug 24 ~ Sept 6 2018.

EVENT: Portland Seminar @ Portland Oregon, USA
EXPLANATION SESSION: During lunch period on May 17th
PERIOD OF TRIP: 2018年 8月24日(金)~9月6日(木)  14日間
WHERE: Portland Oregon, USA

TARGET AUDIENCE: Students who already have a strong ability to communicate in English will get the most out of this program.

Download this WORD file for more detailed information on the study tour.

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Screening of “The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe”

Prof. Junichi Miyazawa of AGU’s School of Cultural and Creative Studies has announced the opportunity to see a special screening of a film that his students provided the subtitles for. It was one of the films shown at the UNHCR Refugee Film Festival, “The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe.” It will be shown at Aogaku’s Astudio from 2 PM this coming Saturday, November 11.

EVENT: Free Screening of “The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe”
WHEN: Saturday, Nov 11, 2017; From 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM [doors open at 1:30 PM]
WHERE: 青山学院アスタジオ 地下ホール(東京メトロ表参道駅から徒歩5分)
TARGET AUDIENCE: Anyone

青山学院大学総合文化政策学部
「映像翻訳ラボ」主催
『私たちが誇るもの~アフリカン・レディース歌劇団~』上映会
(「国連UNHCR難民映画祭 2017 学校パートナーズ」参加イベント)

2017年11月11日(土)14時~16時(開場13時半)
青山学院アスタジオ 地下ホール(東京メトロ表参道駅から徒歩5分)。

学生チームが字幕を作成し、今年10月の国連UNHCR難民映画祭2017で本邦初公開されたドキュメンタリー映画の再上映会。
オーストラリアに難民や移民として来た4人のアフリカ女性たちが、
演劇を通して過去のつらい体験を乗り越えていく。
プレトークはジェンダー論に詳しい辻上奈美江氏(東京大学大学院 特任准教授)。
(演題:「演劇を通じた癒し・苦悩・抵抗――シリア難民女性による演劇との比較」)

※詳しくはこちら(地図もこちらからどうぞ):
http://www.sccs.aoyama.ac.jp/topics/171111_african_ladies/

※映画の情報はこちら:
http://unhcr.refugeefilm.org/2017/movies_detail/movie_c/
入場無料(予約無しの先着順)
定員100人。
問い合わせ先:
[email protected]

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Talk by Linda Ohama on film TOHOKU NO SHINGETSU

Speaker: Ms. Linda Ohama
Topic: A talk on the documentary: TOHOKU NO SHINGETSU
Location: Aoyama Campus, 本多記念国際会議場 Building 17, 6th Floor, Honda Auditorium

Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Time: 1:20 PM to 2:50 PM (3rd period)

Ms. Linda Ohama is an award-winning Japanese-Canadian filmmaker who produced and directed the film Obachan’s Garden. She will speak about the creation of her latest documentary film “Tohoku no Shingetsu” (“New Moon Over Tohoku”), which concerns the experiences of people in Tohoku who were affected by the earthquake/ tsunami/ nuclear disaster of March 11, 2011 and its aftermath. You may view one of Linda Ohama’s previous films, Obachan’s Garden, in its entirety at the website of the National Film Board of Canada.

It would useful for students and teachers who plan to attend the lecture to do some background reading on the film the speaker will mainly be talking about, “Tohoku no Shingetsu,” by exploring this posting: カナダ人が追った東日本大震災 ドキュメンタリー映画『東北の新月』今秋完成に向け編集進む and viewing the excellent official page for the film. Also, follow the Facebook page associated with the film at: https://www.facebook.com/TohokuNoShingetsu.

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Performance of “Blackbird” directed by Paul Howl

One of our teachers, Paul Howl, has done us proud by directing the play “Blackbird,” by David Harrower. Performed at the Trance Mission Theater in Sangubashi from September 22nd to 24th, “Blackbird” is a challenging play about a controversial and sensitive topic, childhood sexual exploitation. Gini Benson and Anton Percic offered compelling portrayals of the main characters, 27-year-old Una and 55-year-old Ray, who engaged in an illicit relationship with Una 15 years before when she was a 12-year-old girl. The somewhat disjointed dialog, and the necessity for fine-tuned emotional nuance, would have proven difficult for any actor or director, but the action of the play was executed in a riveting, adroit, and compassionate manner thanks to the skills of all involved.

Much to the credit of those responsible for the play, an announcement was made at its outset that the subject matter of the performance might trigger the traumatic memories of viewers, so TELL’s resources were highlighted in the event that that should turn out to be the case for some participants. In the lobby, resources from TELL were made available.

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