This is a clip from the TV coverage of my final showcase at the Awa Jurobe Yashiki theatre. You can see sections of the three scenes I performed: Ebisu Mai, Yaoya Oshichi, and Keisei Awa No Naruto.
Final Performance: Keisei Awa No Naruto
In this clip from my final showcase, I serve as the omo-zukai (main puppeteer) for Otsuru the pilgrim in the story of her reunion with her estranged mother. This was about the sixth time I performed this scene with my host troupe, Naruto-Za.
Learning to Hold the Kashira (Head)
In this clip, Hattori-San, a member of Naruto-Za troupe, teaches me the proper way to hold the puppet’s head when serving as the omo-zukai (lead puppeteer). You can see how, thanks to her patience and expertise, we communicated with little common language.
Learning to Play a Brigand
This clip shows Midori-San teaching me to sword fight for a scene from Keisei Awa No Naruto that I performed at the summer puppet festival.
DEVISED PUPPET PERFORMANCES
Little Red Riding Hood
A short kamishibai (Japanese illustrated story cards) performance that I created for my graduate school interview. Art by Zé Lorber.
The Princess and the Period
My final project for my undergraduate Anti-Multimedia performance class. I built the set and puppets from menstrual products and adapted the Princess and the Pea story to destigmatize menstruation and teach about menstrual health.
Sleeping Beauty
In this project for my undergraduate Anti-Multimedia performance class, I used the Japanese street art of kamishibai, which I learned from my professor Natsu Onoda Power, to retell Sleeping Beauty with a focus on consent.