Artistic Director Akira Shirai

Art Farm Declaration

The protracted pandemic is finally showing signs of convergence.
Over the past three years, the theater culture has faced many difficulties, but it is also true that it was a great opportunity to think again about the duties that the theater should take on.What role should the Setagaya Public Theater play as a public theater?

"The theater is a square" has been a major philosophy since the opening of the Setagaya Public Theater.People gather, people talk, people sing, people dance, people tell stories.We must remember, once again, that theater is a place for that.
We must not live alone.It can only exist in relation to others.The theater has the function of creating that relationship.
Art exists only when there is someone who expresses it.But the one who expresses it alone can never exist.Only when there is a human heart that appreciates the expression does meaning emerge.And the viewer will discover a new self through the expression.I believe that the theater is a place to create such "raw" interactions.

Art changes people's minds.Above all, performing arts is the art of memory.It reminds us of past events that we tend to forget, and has the function of connecting to the future.For that reason, I believe that the theater must be a field for creating new art.It creates a place for people to gather, cultivates a field for art, sows the seeds of art, nurtures them, and eventually blossoms and bears fruit.

I would like to declare that the Setagaya Public Theater is an art farm that will serve as a refuge for people and create new art.

We appreciate your continued support.

Setagaya Public Theater Artistic Director Akira Shirai