The Vibrant Playwright Festival 2025 "Gekija!"
The Japan Playwrights Association is set to launch the exhilarating "Playwright Festival 2025 'Gekija!'" in collaboration with the Okayama Arts Creation Theater Hale Nowa from October 31 (Friday) to November 3 (Monday, public holiday). This four-day event will gather playwrights from across the country to engage in around 20 unique activities related to playwriting and theater.
Since its inception in 1994, the association aimed to bridge the gap between citizens and theater. This year marks the first edition of the festival in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, which has long been an aspiration of the local artistic community. To make the festival accessible to a broader audience, the event has been rebranded from the "Playwright Convention" to "Playwright Festival," incorporating unique local initiatives that are quintessential to Okayama.
Festival Highlights
Visitors can look forward to a diverse lineup of events, including:
- - Live performances of musical numbers by professional actors.
- - Live readings and script studies conducted in regional dialects.
- - Interactive segment titled "Forum Theater" that encourages participation from the audience.
- - A play reading of the award-winning script "History of Japanese Literature" by renowned playwright Hirata Oriza.
The festival is chiefly organized by the Okayama City, the Okayama Cultural Arts Creation Foundation, and the Japan Playwrights Association, with support from Sanyo Shimbun. This cooperative effort aims to cultivate a deeper appreciation for theater and foster creative dialogues among participants.
Press Conference Details
A press conference for the festival is scheduled for July 5 (Saturday) from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the rehearsal room 4 of the Okayama Arts Creation Theater Hale Nowa. Key highlights of the agenda include:
- - 11:00 AM: Opening remarks (hosted by festival director Tsuyoshi Tanabe).
- - 11:10 AM: Greetings from festival organizers.
- - 11:40 AM: A Q&A session with attendees.
- - 11:50 AM: Photo opportunity and individual interviews.
- - 12:00 PM: Closing.
Featured speakers at the press conference include:
- - Misaki Setoyama, President of the Japan Playwrights Association
- - Hiroshi Watanabe, Theater Director and Producer at Okayama Arts Creation Theater
- - Ikue Nagata, Vice President of the Japan Playwrights Association
- - Hiromi Kado, Chairperson of the Festival Committee
- - Hodaka Kawai, Vice Chairperson of the Festival Committee
This year's event promises to be engaging and entertaining, with opportunities for both in-person and online participation. To register for media coverage or get more information, interested parties should include the following details in their application:
1. Media name/Company
2. Representative name/Number of participants
3. Contact phone number/email address
4. Participation format (Remote or On-site)
Registration can be sent to the event team at the Okayama Cultural Arts Creation Foundation via:
- - Phone: 086-201-8014 (direct line to the Business Group)
- - Fax: 086-201-8004
- - Email: event@okayama-pat.jp
The festival is an excellent opportunity for media houses and attendees to witness firsthand the creativity and innovation in Japanese theater. It not only uplifts the local arts scene but also builds bridges between playwrights and the community, ensuring that the transformative power of storytelling continues to thrive. Prepare to dive into the world of theater at the "Gekija!" festival!