Message from the President of the New National Theatre, Tokyo
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The New National Theatre, Tokyo, is Japan’s only national theater dedicated to the contemporary performing arts including opera, ballet, contemporary dance, and play. In the short span of the 14 years since its opening, this theater has planned and produced works of a consistently high caliber, earning it critical acclaim both within Japan and worldwide. I would like to express my deep respect for the efforts of all those involved to date, and my heartfelt thanks to the patrons for their support. The New National Theatre has two major missions. The first is to continue to create world-class performances to present in Japan and abroad, while the second is to become a theater that is widely enjoyed and loved by the people of Japan. We will strive to fulfill these missions and become a theater that the Japanese people will refer to with pride and affection, and that those abroad will look to with respect and admiration. As government funding is being cut each year, we must make further efforts to support ourselves. I have been appointed president of the theater at this very critical time, and while it is a very sobering thought, I hope to work closely with the three artistic directors and the staff to continue these efforts. I hope that you will support us in these endeavors. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt prayers for the peaceful repose of those lost in this unprecedentedly devastating earthquake, and for the rapid return to some semblance of normalcy for those who survived. As a theater, what we can do is to support the recovery efforts through the power of the arts. We will offer our performances in the belief that the energy contained within culture and the arts can nourish the soul and become a force for recovery. April 1,2011 |
