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Tokyo International Players Youth Program

By on March 3, 2013
Now in its third successful year, the Tokyo International Players Youth program will be presenting the results of their theatre studies with performances scheduled for April 25th to 28th at Momo Theatre in Nakano. The students, aged eight to seventeen, have been attending weekend workshops and rehearsals since November, learning through practice what it is to be part of a professional theatrical production. One parent commented that “it is wonderful to see the children develop over the course of the program. The theatre lets them take responsibility for themselves yet learn the importance of how to work as a team.”TIP Youth aims to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge and practical techniques in theatre and performing in a professional level show, so that they may carry and use this experience in many aspects of their student and adult lives, whether they perform professionally or not. This is a six-month program designed to give them a rm grounding in all things involved in acting on stage, being part of a production and belonging to a theatre community.They are learning aspects of theatre, acting, voice and movement. More importantly, however, the students are learning to collaborate with peers from different backgrounds, work as a team, support each other through the highs and lows, commit to a longterm project, and give of themselves fully for the sake of the group. These are life skills all young people need to navigate the adult world, no matter what career paths they choose.Co-producers Davina McFadyen and Linda Polgar are both very impressed at the level of enthusiasm displayed by the students. Their hard work and commitment really pays dividends come show time.

This year’s productions are:

The Music Man Jr
The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize – this despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by the end.

Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr
Taking place in New York City in 1922, this wonderful musical tells the story of young Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life for herself. It’s a New York full of intrigue and jazz – a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever. Based on the popular movie, the stage version includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers.

Shows are April 25th – 28th at Theatre Momo in Nakano and tickets are 2,000 yen. The box of ce will open in early April.

Check out www.tokyoplayers.org for further information in team achievements. TIP Youth offers students a supportive environment to experiment, try new things, make mistakes, and strengthen their weaknesses. They learn the value that the hard work they put in, combined with their rehearsals and other fun activities can create a fantastic result that many others can enjoy. They learn that it is the process as much as the end result.

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