Taiwan 7 - Get in

The previous article was about when we all got together in the studio

Thinking back, I realise that this journey has always had this "finally" feeling. Finally out of the hotel, finally we can start rehearsing in the studio, then finally we are in the theatre!

National Taichung Theater

So this is where we were! I guess lots of Japanese people know this theatre even if they are not theatregoers since it is by Japanese architect Toyo Ito.

Outside we found this!

Set Up

The first day at the theatre was without dancers. Hiroaki worked on setting up the stage (lights, projectors etc.) with the local technical staff.

It was about a minute after he arrived at the theatre. The meeting started all of a sudden with many people. The set up started there, then the next day dancers joined on stage.

Test, Test, Test

When creating a new work, Hiroaki does various tests once we get in to the theatre. For example this time the tests were about the backstage system which the dancers needed for the performance, and about the visual images (projection). For the projection he always checks how it looks on stage and how it looks with the dancers since until then it's only displayed in a small monitor.

Dancers also check the details such as their positions, distance, which wings to go in/out, and where they can be seen/not seen from the audience.

Off Stage

Once they are on stage, the focus tends to go more on the dancers, which is a good thing. However this time, Hiroaki's work, who designed light, composed sound and also created the visual image himself, was amazing. He would have the spotlight as a dancer when he performs his solo on stage, but here is my little spotlight for backstage choreographer Hiroaki Umeda.

Him being surrounded by the technicians to solve problems.....

And then we go on stage, in front of the "real" audiences for the first time in months!