Traditional Theater Training 2025 Call for Applications

Established in 1984, Traditional Theater Training (T.T.T.) is a summer training program in classical Japanese performing arts offered to practitioners and researchers. The program invites participants to a three week intensive training period, culminating in a recital at the century-old Ōe Nō Theater. Under the guidance of distinguished masters, participants learn the techniques and spirit of Japanese traditional performing arts, gaining the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and discover new physicality and expression. This is a physical, intensive program, although participants are encouraged to independently study the historical and aesthetic backgrounds.

Dates
2024.7.10.Tue.－8.8.Fri

Courses offered
Nō: lyric dance-theater
Nihonbuyō: classical dance
Optional additional course – Kotsuzumi: drum

Teachers
Nō: Katayama Shingo, Ōe Nobuyuki, Tamoi Hiromichi
Nihonbuyō: Wakayagi Yayoi
Kotsuzumi: Hisada Yasuko, Takahashi Naoko

Application Deadline
Wednesday April 30 2024, 23:59 JST
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, and will be notified of the results on a rolling basis, no later than mid-May. Deadline may be shortened or extended until the courses are fully enrolled.

Application Procedures
In 2025, T.T.T. is offering Nō（lyric dance-theatre）and Nihonbuyō (classical dance) courses with an optional additional course in Kotsuzumi (shoulder drum). The program is open to people from all countries and backgrounds. We look forward to reviewing applications from enthusiastic applicants.

Requirements for Application:
Open to all students and teachers, researchers and artists actively involved with artistic forms of expression such as theater and dance. Those interested in Japanese culture, regardless of educational or artistic background, are also encouraged to apply. Participants should be able to commit to attending all scheduled sessions, from orientation to the final recital. Open to all nationalities, ages, and genders. Japanese language proficiency is not required.

Applicants applying from countries that require visas for travel to Japan are encouraged to apply early to allow time for visa processing. Though Kyoto Art Center cannot sponsor visas for TTT participants, we can provide organizational references for visa paperwork.  We can also help with letters of support for those looking to secure outside funding.

Course capacity　Approximately 8 participants per Course

Required documents:
・Application form
・C.V.（educational and/or artistic background）
・Statement of purpose
・Photo
・If applying for student tuition, please  include a copy of your I.D.
・If you wish to be considered for a tuition scholarship, please include a scholarship application (see below for details)

For applications by post: Please fill out the application form attached to the brochure and send with required documents listed there to the address below.

KYOTO ART CENTER, Yamabushiyama-cho 546-2, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8156 JAPAN　

For applications by email: Download the Application Forms from here. Complete the Application Form and include with other required  documents sent to the e-mail address below. 

T.T.T. 2025 email:  t.t.t@kac.or.jp

Please direct any questions to the T.T.T. Program Director Jane Traynor at jtraynor@hawaii.edu, cc-ing t.t.t@kac.or.jp and including “TTT 2025” in the email subject line.

Tuition
Nō Course / Nihonbuyō Course 90,000 yen
Student discount / Repeater discount  70,000 yen
Optional add-on course / Kotsuzumi workshops 15,000 yen

Applicants may participate in only one Course. 
These prices include training tuition, a practice fan, recital, and video and photo data of the recital.
＊Those with their own fans will receive a 5,000 yen discount.
＊Participants wear white cotton tabi (split-toed socks) for all rehearsals. For the recital, and Nihonbuyō classes, yukata (cotton summer kimono）and obi sashes are required–participants may use their own or rent them from KAC for 1,000 yen. We will advise participants where to purchase these at the Orientation.

Schedule
1）Orientation:　Thursday, July 10th 2：00 pm
Orientation provides an overview of the respective Courses’ styles of practice and recital contents.

2）Workshops: Friday, July 11th – Sunday, July 13th
Participants will first get a taste of each of the arts in group workshops. Students are expected to participate in all workshops regardless of which course they enroll in.

＊Due to the Gion Festival, there will be no formal activities planned from July 14th – July 16th. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the festivities and there may be some optional group outings planned during these days.

3) Training: Thursday, July 17th – Thursday August 7th 
Participants will divide into respective courses and study intensively in groups led by Japanese masters, active professional artists. Participants will not only gain skills in the art, but also physically experience the spirituality of traditional performance through formal practice.
*There will be some holidays.
*Teachers will decide the course contents based on participant’s aptitudes and goals.

Recital
Friday, August 8th
Venue: Ōe Nō Theater
Participants perform dance, chant, and short plays on this hundred year-old Nō stage, supported by their teachers, who will then offer special professional performances.

■ Scholarship Details:
Whenever funds allow, Kyoto Art Center strives to make itself more accessible to individuals of all backgrounds through the offering of tuition scholarships. If you wish to be considered for a tuition scholarship, please include with your application materials a 1-page scholarship application addressing the following information: