Kimio Tawarayama

Working with a highly motivated, predominantly young staff

I joined Theatre Workshop in April 2018, where I was appointed chief of its Theatre Technician Department. Within the department, Mochizuki-san is in charge of lighting, while I look after aspects of stage work, and we both work at various venues. I feed what I have gained from my work experience back into the company’s Consulting Department in the form of advice. I incorporate my perspective as a stage technician into the feedback I provide.

I also discuss drawings and equipment lists being checked by younger Consulting Department colleagues, and occasionally accompany them to client meetings and site inspections. Many Theatre Workshop staff members are young and they are invariably highly conscientious. I gather that I am by far the oldest. Though I feel as if I am still in my forties, apparently I am not.

As an employee, I am finding this company highly unique. It allows its employees ample leeway, that is, no undue restrictions. Interestingly, we are all busy at work all over Japan, but are still eager to join in once we sniff out something fun, like an in-house “cable-making workshop” led by Mochizuki-san, for instance.

Broadening the fan base of theater by encouraging participation as well as appreciation

My eventual goal is to conduct events in partnership with members of the local community at venues we have helped launch. Instead of leaving the locale once a venue is built, I would like to do something on an ongoing basis with people living there. It would be fascinating to be able to help realize this as a stagecraft specialist. I conducted backstage tours and introductory stagecraft workshops for my previous employer. I also devised programs in partnership with people who otherwise do not frequent theaters, as well as programs designed to bring the appeal of the theater to everyday life. Some aspects of stagecraft, such as rope knots and lighting, have surprisingly useful daily life applications.

Members of the general public may think that behind the scenes at a theater is intimidating or daunting. However, with the help of one or two specialists, many aspects of stagecraft can actually be tackled by the layperson. I would like to broaden the country’s theater fan base by, for instance, bringing more children of elementary school age to theaters, and by enticing more people to not only watch but also participate in theater.

Kimio Tawarayama

Technical Advisor, Consulting Department

As a stage manager, he has worked in small theaters, theaters in Tokyo and throughout Japan, the Nippon Budokan, Yoyogi Gymnasium, and arena tours in major cities.As a stage technical director, he served as the Japanese technical director for overseas productions (Yukio Ninagawa's "Hamlet") and invited overseas productions (Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, etc.).With many years of experience in theater management at Ginza Saison Theater and Le Theatre Ginza, he participated in the launch of Nagano City Arts Center.He is a member of the steering committee of "Staff Club 21" headed by Yuji Sawada and Gan Takahashi, and joined the company in April 2018.He is a living example of the theater, generously sharing his wide range of connections and expertise with young staff.