[Call for Participation] Audition for the cast of the stage production "Don't Shut Up, Move, Breathe" in which the Deaf and the Audience Meet

"Don't Shut Up, Move, Breathe" will be performed on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the Great Hall of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, with the aim of "social recognition of Deaf people and Deaf culture" and "mutual understanding between Deaf people and hearing people."

The play "Don't Shut Up, Move, Breathe" explores the nature of Deaf Ongaku and Deaf listeners' music through mutual interaction, and encounters both sides with different languages and cultures in the creative arena. The original story created based on this process is performed in Japanese Sign Language and Japanese.
In this recruitment, we are looking for the main cast of the residents of "Deaf Town" and "Hearing Town" respectively. We look forward to receiving applications from those who are willing to take on the challenge of this world premiere.

Recruitment details for "Deaf Town" performers

1.Roles and Number of Applicants

About 20 residents of the Deaf Town

2.schedule and venue

< Practice >

1. Monday, September 22 to Friday, October 31
   Weekdays: 18:00~21:00/Saturdays and Sundays: 3 hours in the daytime, scheduled for 2-3 days a week
2. Wednesday, November 12 to 24th (Mon)
   Weekdays: 18:00~21:00/Saturdays and Sundays: 3~5 hours in the daytime, 5 days a week

Venue: Tokyo (planned)

< Hall rehearsal and actual performance >

Tuesday, November 25 to 29th (Sat) 9:00~21:00
Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall

*During the hall rehearsal and the actual performance, in principle, please secure a full day schedule.
* The performance will be held once.
* Between the above dates, we will make a schedule for each scene.
If you are unable to attend any of the training periods mentioned in (1) and (2) or if you have a schedule, please be sure to write it down when you apply.
(e.g., 0 to 0, NG on Sundays, NG on Saturdays and Sundays from 0:00 to 0:00, etc.).
* The schedule for additional training may change depending on the role.
* Minors can participate until 20:00 in principle.
* Participation schedule may be changed due to meeting, shooting, workshop, additional practice, etc.

3.Application Conditions

• Deaf and hard of hearing
• Age 10 years or older (as of September 22, 2025) *1
• Gender, acting experience, and nationality are all welcome. *2
  However, since the work will be performed in Japanese Sign Language and Japanese, those who can communicate mainly in Japanese Sign Language are required in principle.
• Those who can communicate by email in Japanese to share materials.
• Those who are able to adjust their schedule during the training period and participate in rehearsals and performances without taking a break.
• If you meet the above conditions, you can apply either as an individual or as a member of an office.
  * If you belong to an office, please obtain permission from the office before applying.
• Those who agree with and cooperate with the purpose of this production, which records the process of collaborative production between the Deaf and the audience, and releases it as a model case of collaboration through the official website and SNS before the performance.

*1 Those who are 10 years old or older as of September 22, 2025. If you are a minor (under 18 years of age) at the time of the application deadline (March 16), you will be asked to provide written consent from your parent or guardian during the screening process.
*2-1 Those who have Japanese nationality and status of residence to stay in Japan from September 22, 2025 to November 30.
*2-2 Parents, guardians, and their companions will have to wait in a separate place during rehearsals and performances if necessary.

4.performance fee

I will pay the default appearance fee.

"Kisha no Machi" Cast Recruitment Details

1.Roles and Number of Applicants

About 3 people (main cast) of the residents of "listener's town"
* Auditions for resident extras (no acting experience required) of "listener's town" will be held in the summer of 2025.

2.schedule and venue

< Pre-training >

About 5 ~ 10 pre-training sessions planned in early May and June
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Area (planned)

< Practice >

① Monday, September 22 - Tuesday, November 11 2 - 4 days a week
(2) Wednesday, November 12 - 24 (Mon) 5 - 6 days a week
Venue: Tokyo (tentative)

< Hall rehearsal and actual performance >

Tuesday, November 25 to 29th (Sat) 9:00~21:00
Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall

*During the hall rehearsal and the actual performance, in principle, please secure a full day schedule.
* The performance will be held once.
* If you are unable to attend the pre-training and training periods (1) and (2) or have any schedule, please make sure to write it down when you apply.
(e.g., 0 to 0, NG on Sundays, NG on Saturdays and Sundays from 0:00 to 0:00, etc.).
* There is a possibility that meetings, photos, workshops, etc. will be held before the above period.

3.Application Conditions

• Age 18 to 60 (as of September 22, 2025)
• Gender and nationality are not required *. However, since the play will be performed in Japanese Sign Language and Japanese, in principle, those who can communicate mainly in Japanese must be able to do so.
• Those who have experience performing on stage and are interested in physical expression (Examples: Actors, dancers, music performers, etc.)
• Those who are able to adjust the schedule for the "pre-practice" and "practice" periods and participate in rehearsals and the actual performance without taking a break.
• If you meet the above conditions, you can apply either as an individual or as a member of an office.
  * If you belong to an office, please obtain permission from the office before applying.
• Those who agree and cooperate to record the collaborative production process between the Deaf and the audience and to publish it as a model case of collaboration on the official website and SNS before the performance.

*Those who have Japanese nationality and a status of residence to stay in Japan from September 22, 2025 to November 30.

4.performance fee

I will pay the default appearance fee.

How to apply

Please check the application guidelines and apply using the following web form.

Residents of the Deaf Townhttps://ws.formzu.net/dist/S481365392/
The residents of the town of listeners (main cast)https://ws.formzu.net/fgen/S344137639/

Application period

From 10:00 on Monday, February 10 to 23:59 on Sunday, March 16

Selection schedule (common to both Deaf and Hearing communities)

Applications open Monday, February 10
Applications close Sunday, March 16
Monday, Sunday, March 30 - 31 Notification of the results of the first screening (documents) (tentative)
Sunday, Wednesday, April 9 - 13 Second screening (interviews and practical skills) in Tokyo (tentative)
Monday, April 28 Final selection results announced

*Please fill in the date and time you can participate in the second screening when you apply.
* If you wish to receive notification other than by email due to unavoidable circumstances, please indicate that at the time of application.
* At the time of the first screening, a hearing may be conducted by e-mail, telephone, video call, etc., regarding willingness to participate in the actual practice and whether there are circumstances that should be considered individually.
* The second screening will be announced by email to those who have passed the first screening based on documents and the above hearing.
* The second screening is scheduled to take 1-2 days out of the above 5 days.

Production Core Members

general supervision

Katsuhiko Hibino

composition and staging

Eri MAKIHARA

direction and appearance

Shimaji Yasutake (Shimaji Yasutake)

Drama Turku (the role of giving advice and support to the director)

Shizukakai
Nagashima Makaku

Credit

Sponsor

Tokyo , Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Arts Council Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts

Contact Us

Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture Arts Council Tokyo
Business Coordination Section, Business Coordination Division, Business Department
TEL: 03-6256-8435 (Weekdays 10:00~18:00)
E-mail: duk-info*artscouncil-tokyo.jp (Please replace * with @)