Waseda theater research and education

Waseda University has a long, multifaceted tradition of theater research that traces its roots to author, critic, playwright, translator, editor, and professor Tsubouchi Shoyo.

In this article, Professor Yukari Ishino of the Volunteer Center (WAVOC) shares her thoughts on theater research and education.

Theater, anthropology, and contributing to society
Acting and seeing the world through a stranger’s eyes

Professor Yukari Ishino
Hirayama Ikuo Kinen Volunteer Center (WAVOC)

Utilizing the experiences of acting, I want to incorporate theater into education from two angles. One angle is the concept of understanding strangers through theater. In our daily lives, there are instances where trouble occurs because we do not understand other people’s feelings. However, by acting as someone else, you become aware of different perspectives and interpretations other than your own. The second angle is artistry. Moving your body while imagining what your character is feeling gives birth to new ideas and expressions.

“Creative ideas and practices for contributing to society” class

In class, we practice methods that allow us to influence society using techniques for situations where we must stand in front of various individuals and provide solutions to problems. This simple approach of “trying to be someone else” is useful for volunteer and community-building activities where you are expected to stand in front of a large group of people. Students conduct field work on site for organizations such as NPOs for disabled workers, and apartment complexes with aging residents. Students then recreate what they witnessed. Students and individuals from the fieldwork site attend performances and discuss the best possible approaches for different situations. Students have told me that this process has made them aware of things they did not understand before, and allowed them to acknowledge their own viewpoints and values, and reset them. Some students who completed the course started their own group called “Act ~ Society and Tsugaru project” which is active in many locations.

I believe that for Waseda students who will greatly influence Japanese society, society will improve if they are able to learn how to understand others. Theater is something that goes beyond one’s ideas and limitations and I want many people to know about its power.