Theatre Consulting

Creating Theatres

Forty years ago, we established the first theatre consulting company in Japan.
Based on our experience with over 300 theatres and venues, we've accumulated a great deal of expertise in both the "hardware" and "software" aspects of it.
Our strength lies in our powerful team of in-house and international experts and our network of existing venues.
Our aim is to create unique venues of different sizes and purposes that become part of the community.

Theatre Workshop Style

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More than 300 theatres in Japan and abroad
A solid experience accumulated over many years as a pioneer

Forty years ago, we established Theatre Workshop to create the first "theatre consulting" profession in Japan. Today, the process of working with local communities or stakeholders to develop plans and build hardware, including special stage equipment and fixtures, has become a standard in theatre architecture in Japan. We support the creation of new theatres or other venues with our rich experience and statistical data based on our achievements.

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Deep commitment with the community and local people.

We are committed to maturing our plans by talking to local people and listening to their stories. We do not see the completion of the theatre as a goal, but rather as a place where local people can live and create together after the theatre opens, helping to organize events that promote local culture and strengthen community ties.

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Proposals for a New Era

By introducing good examples and trends in the latest stage equipment, operational schemes and uses, we have been among the first to advocate the theatre's function as a 'new square', supporting regional development through the creation and revitalization of local communities, and have pioneered the deal stage of the theatre itself. We were also among the first to advocate that theatres should function as "new places", supporting regional development through the creation and revitalization of local communities. Beyond the 'third place', we propose that the theatre becomes the 'fourth place', a comfortable place of interaction where everyone can meet and experience cultural and artistic creation.

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A team of professionals in both hardware and software

The software team carefully listens to local people's wishes and formulates a plan, and the hardware team produces drawings of the functions and mechanisms that will make these wishes a reality.  With both software and hardware experts working together as one team, we are able to make consistent proposals from the same point of view.

Do you have any of these concerns?

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Architectual Firm

"In the design process, we must create an envisioned image that fits the location and conditions presented by the client. Is it possible to propose specific design requirements, including concept work, supporting statistical data, the organization of the theatre space, detailed requirements to be reflected in the architectural and facility aspects, and appropriate special stage equipment?"

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Client
(Public Sector)

"I have been put in charge of rebuilding the cultural centre.
I would like to know what points need to be considered and how the procedures should be followed.  I would also like to know not only what functions should be added in the future, but also the organisational structure of management, the scale of income and expenditure, etc., based on examples of other cultural centres in Japan and the trends of the times. We would also like you to prepare materials with the main points to promote consensus building within the government, the council and the local community".

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Client
(Developer)

"In order to achieve better urban development, we would like to explore the possibility of building a theatre, venue or event space as a vibrant function. We want to have a realistic idea of what kind of venue can be built in a limited area and what kind of impact it can have.
We would like to determine the appropriate scale through marketing research and demand analysis to produce a revenue and expenditure plan".

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Think Tank

"I am responsible for planning a venue as an entertainment facility to attract visitors. We would like to carry out a survey of the condition of the venue and interview the operators, and would like you to help us with the survey by using your expertise as an advisor on theatre/hall operations, technology, etc.".

What We Do

Survey

Conducting all types of surveys related to theatres and venues, from surveys at the construction planning stage, such as location, site and facility development trends, to surveys at the operational stage, such as operations and actual performances.
We lay the foundations for more active cultural and artistic activities by understanding the situation around theatres and venues.

Basic Concept and Basic Plan

The basic concept and basic plan are important stages that serve as the foundation of the theatre and venue. The basic concept determines the basic philosophy and purpose of the facility based on national trends in cultural facilities and regional backgrounds, and examines the character, scale, composition, and basic policies for the management and operation of the theatre and venue.
In the basic design, we will investigate the site, draw a model plan, and study the estimated area and construction costs.

Management and operation plan consulting

In planning a theater, it is important to have plans and policies regarding management and operation, such as "what kind of business will be conducted" and "how the theater will be used," based on the basic concept and principles.
The management and operation plan will be reviewed to reflect the operation policy and organizational structure in the facility plan to make the theater attractive.

Resident Participation Facilitation

In public theatres or venues, public participation from the planning stage is essential from an accountability perspective.
It is important to understand the needs and demands of the people and to reflect them in the planning, and at the same time it is important for the people to understand the content of the plan.
We support community participation in all aspects of planning, including the formulation of basic concept, facility plans, management and operations plans.

Cooperation in Architect Selection

The selection of the architect takes place during the transition from the planning phase (e.g. basic plan) to the design phase.
There are two main methods of selecting an architect: the competition method and the proposal method. In the competition method, design proposals are selected, while in the proposal method, proposals are selected on the basis of the issues they address and hearings are held.

Cooperation in Designer Selection

Theatre architecture is a building that requires different functions and equipment configurations depending on the type of use and performance.
We consider various perspectives, from the overall function and configuration of the entire facility to the detailed usability for staff and users.
We communicate the intentions of the stage technicians and others to the architects and construction staff, and propose the optimal architecture and equipment for operation, with the aim of completing a user-friendly facility.

Cooperation in equipment selection

We perform all tasks associated with equipment operations, such as reviewing equipment budgets, listing different types of equipment, planning equipment placement, verifying quantities, preparing equipment lists, and preparing material and equipment ledgers for ordering different types of equipment for the theatre or venue.

Preparation of drawings and equipment descriptions

Preparing for stage layouts and equipment manuals, which include information on stage dimensions and equipment, seating plans and other important user information, as well as detailed equipment descriptions.

Support for preparation of theatre or venue opening

We provide a wide range of support for the process, including recruitment and selection work for councils introducing PFI or recruiting designated managers, organising the preparatory work following the selection of a project operator, preparing proposals for private companies wishing to participate in the project, and implementing the project.
We also provide support in preparing for the opening of the theatre or venue, including training of staff and volunteers prior to the opening events.

Renovation Plan

We carry out the necessary surveys for renovation and develop a renovation plan. We aim to ensure the safety of the working environment and facilities within the theatre or venue, focusing on stage machinery, stage lighting and stage audio and visual equipment, and to make the facility fit for the new era to provide the best service to the users.

For further information, please get in touch with us through Contact Form below.

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