- KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences Theatre Project
This project began in September 2021 as a collaboration between researchers from the KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences and Seinendan. The relationship is not one where the researchers simply provide data to the artists; rather, the project involves cross-disciplinary research and creation through ongoing dialogue within both creative and research settings.
In 2022, they presented the theater piece “Yuura” both on Kikai Island and in Tokyo. The work was created using data on environmental changes (paleoenvironmental data obtained from hermatypic coral, the growth ring of trees, tufa, and bivalvia) as well as local ecological knowledge (data from Buried Cultural Properties, historical documents, and interviews with local residents) within a 120-year time frame from the past (1953–1955), present, and projected future (2073) of Kikai Island.
In February 2025, they presented “Serenade of the Sea” at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. In this theater work where coral sings, the audience is taken on a journey between Kikai Island 50,000 years ago and the present-day Noto Peninsula. With social science and humanities researchers among its core members, the project documents and analyzes the process from research to creation and performance as part of its investigations.
Following their role as special advisors to Toyama City beginning in July 2022, they will assume the position of policy advisors in May 2025.
Director’s Program
“Serenade of the Sea”
KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences Theatre Project
Area
- Ebara
Date and Time
Sep.13(Sat)11:00,18:30
Sep.14(Sun)11:00,18:30
Sep.15(Mon)17:00
Performance Duration
Approx. 60 minutes
Performance Language
Performed in Japanese only
*English subtitles
Admission Fee
【All seats unreserved】
Advance Tickets: ¥3,000
Same-day Tickets: ¥3,500
Advance Tickets U25/Student/Disabled Discount: ¥2,000*
Same-day Tickets Disabled Discount: ¥2,500*
U18 for advance and Same-day: Free*
Uzumaku Pass: ¥1,000
Clap Mates*
If there are remaining seats on the day, you can watch the performance for free who aged 19 to 25, or those with a valid student ID.
*Please proof required on the day of the event
In this collaborative project, researchers of coral reef environmental earth sciences, Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Atsuko Yamazaki, alongside playwright Rena Miyazaki and director Megumi Yamashita, combine science and the performing arts, exploring future forms of collective intelligence shaped by new relationships between humans and nature.
“Serenade of the Sea” is the second work to emerge from this project. It follows “Yurau,” (staged on Kikai Island and Komaba Agora Theater in Tokyo,) a piece developed from scientific data and local ecological knowledge spanning the past, present, and future of Kikai Island. “Serenade of the Sea” draws on restoration ecology data from 50,000 years ago, including coral and giant clam shells found on Kikai Island, which was formed by the uplift of coral reefs during massive earthquakes occurring once every tens of thousands of years. It also incorporates findings from the large-scale discovery of coral uplifted during the January 1, 2024 earthquake on the Noto Peninsula. The work premiered at the Public Zone of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, as part of “Anima Rave,” a program connected to the exhibition “Dancing with All: The Ecology of Empathy.” Based on feedback from researchers, the script and direction were revised to present a new iteration of the performance.
With its script and direction grounded in scientific data, this work embodies the intersection between science and art, offering a vision of our future.
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Performers
- Niho Tsukimura
Kei Namba
Satoshi Kurashima
Miuco Hagiwara
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Staff
- Playwright by Rena Miyazaki
Directed by Megumi Yamashita
Project Directed by Atsuko Yamazaki
Executive Produced by Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Voice Cast：Nahoko Kawasumi, Chie Hayashi, Sho Nakato, Tao Kurosawa, Kamilla Asamura, Kanoko
Stage Manager：Tao Kurosawa
Lighting Designer：Rio Takagi
Music：Masashi Nukata
Sound Designer：Yuta Senda
Costume Designer：Taiki Nagase
Production Managers：Kumiko Ota, Chiqco Akabanene
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Accessibility
・Wheelchairs accommodated
・Free entrance for aide
・Childcare services
・English subtitlesIf you require any of the following services, please contact the Toyooka Theater Festival Festival Center before purchasing tickets.
Those who have a disability certificate and wish to be accompanied by an aide.
Those who plan to attend the festival in a wheelchair.
Those who wish to use childcare services.Childcare services (reservation required)
Date:Sep.13(Sat)11:00,Sep.14(Sun)11:00,Sep.15(Mon)17:00
*Free childcare service provided.
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Notes
*Preschool children are not admitted.
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Credits
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Planning & Production by Project SceNE Seinendan Theatre Company / Ebara Riverside Theatre
Presented by Ebara Riverside Theatre KIKAI Institute for Coral Reef Sciences
With the cooperation of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature letre
Co-organized by Toyooka Theater Festival
- KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences Theatre Project
This project began in September 2021 as a collaboration between researchers from the KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences and Seinendan. The relationship is not one where the researchers simply provide data to the artists; rather, the project involves cross-disciplinary research and creation through ongoing dialogue within both creative and research settings.
In 2022, they presented the theater piece “Yuura” both on Kikai Island and in Tokyo. The work was created using data on environmental changes (paleoenvironmental data obtained from hermatypic coral, the growth ring of trees, tufa, and bivalvia) as well as local ecological knowledge (data from Buried Cultural Properties, historical documents, and interviews with local residents) within a 120-year time frame from the past (1953–1955), present, and projected future (2073) of Kikai Island.
In February 2025, they presented “Serenade of the Sea” at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. In this theater work where coral sings, the audience is taken on a journey between Kikai Island 50,000 years ago and the present-day Noto Peninsula. With social science and humanities researchers among its core members, the project documents and analyzes the process from research to creation and performance as part of its investigations.
Following their role as special advisors to Toyama City beginning in July 2022, they will assume the position of policy advisors in May 2025.
- KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences Theatre Project
This project began in September 2021 as a collaboration between researchers from the KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences and Seinendan. The relationship is not one where the researchers simply provide data to the artists; rather, the project involves cross-disciplinary research and creation through ongoing dialogue within both creative and research settings.
In 2022, they presented the theater piece “Yuura” both on Kikai Island and in Tokyo. The work was created using data on environmental changes (paleoenvironmental data obtained from hermatypic coral, the growth ring of trees, tufa, and bivalvia) as well as local ecological knowledge (data from Buried Cultural Properties, historical documents, and interviews with local residents) within a 120-year time frame from the past (1953–1955), present, and projected future (2073) of Kikai Island.
In February 2025, they presented “Serenade of the Sea” at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. In this theater work where coral sings, the audience is taken on a journey between Kikai Island 50,000 years ago and the present-day Noto Peninsula. With social science and humanities researchers among its core members, the project documents and analyzes the process from research to creation and performance as part of its investigations.
Following their role as special advisors to Toyama City beginning in July 2022, they will assume the position of policy advisors in May 2025.
- KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences Theatre Project
This project began in September 2021 as a collaboration between researchers from the KIKAI institute for Coral Reef Sciences and Seinendan. The relationship is not one where the researchers simply provide data to the artists; rather, the project involves cross-disciplinary research and creation through ongoing dialogue within both creative and research settings.
In 2022, they presented the theater piece “Yuura” both on Kikai Island and in Tokyo. The work was created using data on environmental changes (paleoenvironmental data obtained from hermatypic coral, the growth ring of trees, tufa, and bivalvia) as well as local ecological knowledge (data from Buried Cultural Properties, historical documents, and interviews with local residents) within a 120-year time frame from the past (1953–1955), present, and projected future (2073) of Kikai Island.
In February 2025, they presented “Serenade of the Sea” at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. In this theater work where coral sings, the audience is taken on a journey between Kikai Island 50,000 years ago and the present-day Noto Peninsula. With social science and humanities researchers among its core members, the project documents and analyzes the process from research to creation and performance as part of its investigations.
Following their role as special advisors to Toyama City beginning in July 2022, they will assume the position of policy advisors in May 2025.
