The Hyokkori Theater project, launched by the Ebara Riverside Theatre in 2023, organizes theater workshops primarily for people with disabilities. Members of a variety of ages and backgrounds who attend special education schools and welfare facilities throughout Toyooka come together at the Ebara Riverside Theatre. This creative space is free of peer pressure, preconceived notions, and attitudes of superiority or inferiority; instead, everyone brims with enthusiasm as they pursue their own paths.

Hyokkori Theater has held numerous performances in the four years since its inception, but this year marks their first time participating in the official program of the Toyooka Theater Festival. The production was developed and directed by Sorami Date, who is leader and playwright in residence at Gareki no Taiko and also a member of the Seinendan theater troupe. Facilitation was provided by Madoka Murai of the Ebara Riverside Theatre.

Through a series of workshops, each participant suggested a role they wanted to play. From there, they created an eccentric one-hour anthology packed with individuality. It is full of the best parts of theater that only emerge in those fleeting moments when people become their true selves through performance. We hope you enjoy it!