Discover the World of Kabuki with Nakamura Hashigo
Be sure to join us on Friday, April 18, 7-8:30pm ET for a 90-minute conversation on kabuki, one of Japan’s most iconic performing art forms.
Mark Frey (Kumamoto, 2002-2006), founder of JETAA NC Kabuki Club, and Michi Kaifu, kabuki fan and Co-Chair, Programming Committee of Japan Society of Northern California, will share their insights on the history, cultural significance, and evolving traditions of this centuries-old theatre tradition.
We’re also honored to welcome renowned kabuki performer Nakamura Hashigo, who will give a live demonstration of the intricate kabuki makeup process. He’ll be joined by interpreter Stephanie Simpson-White (Toyama, 2006-2009) to assist with the Q&A, so feel free to bring your questions!
Don’t miss this chance to Discover the World of Kabuki and engage with our speakers and special guest in a live Q&A session.
Tickets:
FREE- supporting-tier USJETAA members
$5- USJETAA members
$10- general public
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Mark Frey developed a passion for Kabuki theatre and Japanese performing arts while living and working in Japan on the JET Program. Since returning to the Bay Area, he has been an active member of the San Mateo Japanese American Community Center’s Kabuki Kai. In 2010, he founded JETAANC Kabuki Club and has led classes in our community ever since to foster a love of Japanese performing arts. When Mark is not involved with Kabuki, he is active in the JET Program Alumni Association of Northern California and Oakland-Fukuoka Sister City Association.
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Michi Kaifu, CEO, Enotech Consulting & Co-Chair, Programming Committee of Japan Society of Northern California
Kabuki fan, management consultant in IT industry, visiting professor of Seikei University, Tokyo, Japan, and member of the Board of Japan Society of Northern California. Through three books, articles and speech engagements, widely considered one of the thought leaders in technology industry in Japan. Michi just published a new book : “Silicon Valley’s Money Making (シリコンバレーの金儲け)”
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Coming from a regular family (he wasn’t born into the Kabuki family), he entered the Kabuki world in 1998 through the National Theater’s 15th annual Kabuki Actor Trainee Program and began studying under renowned actor Hashinosuke Nakamura (now Shikan Nakamura) in 2001. He performs kabuki theaters all across Japan and is also active overseas. Furthermore, he coaches in choreography and swordplay. In 2008, Nakamura served as a model for the book “Kabuki Narikiri Taiso” (Look-Like-a-Kabuki-Actor Exercise) that incorporates the movements of Kabuki and started holding hands-on workshops around Japan that focus on lessons that can be learned from Kabuki and Japanese tradition. He has performed at corporate training classes, preschools, school lectures, and various cultural events. Nakamura became the first brand ambassador for California Prunes in 2018. He continues to be active in a variety of fields, which include several appearances in TV commercials and YouTube videos.
This event is hosted in partnership with JETAA NC and made possible with support from the United States-Japan Foundation.
