Kyoko Tokunaga
Theater journalist. Planning and operations committee member at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, as well as Sengawa Theatre planning and operations advisor, and advisor to Parthenon Tama. She writes a monthly theater review for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, and supervises and writes for the theater site ‘engekisaikyoron-ing.’ Publications include ‘Engeki saikyo ron’ co-written with Chikara Fujiawara, and “Warera ni hikari wo.’

Ayano Tanaka
Specialized in philosophy and theory of drama at university. As well as conducting research on the philosophy of Kant, she also works as a theater critic on the back of her many years of theater-going. While her focus is on contemporary theater criticism, she currently writes reviews and commentary for Bunraku and Kabuki in newspapers, magazines, brochures, etc.

Naoya Shimada
Born in 1971. Currently associate professor at Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics and editor of Theatre Arts, the journal of International Association of Theatre Critics Japan. His specialty is Japanese modern literature and contemporary theater criticism. He received an honorable mention in the 12th Theatre Arts Awards with ‘For the unspoken words – a focus on ‘Rope’ by Hideki Noda’ which appeared in the March 2008 edition of Theatre Arts.

Koshi Odashima
Born in 1962. Professor and translator of the Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Waseda University. His research focuses on D.H. Lawrence, contemporary British and American theater and practical drama translation. In 1995 he won the Yuasa Yoshiko Prize in the theater translation and adaptation category. His many translations include ‘Copenhagen,’ ‘Pygmalion,’ ‘Arcadia,’ as well as ‘Children.

Mana Katsura
Contributes to various media like newspapers and magazines as a dance and theater critic. Previously worked as an editor for Magazine House Co., Ltd. (BRUTUS magazine, and books including “Anne’s Cradle,” the biography of Hanako Muraoka by Eri Muraoka, as well as “Shakespeare no eigo de manabu koko ichiban no kimezerifu (Shakespeare’s Famous Quotations)” by Haruo Nakano and Ren Osugi’s “Gembamono.”
She explores the relationship between art and society through all kinds and genres of performing arts, from overseas experimental stage pieces to classical work. She also writes art and book reviews. Member of the International Association of Theatre Critics (AICT) and Research Fellow at Waseda University Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum.

Madoka Goto
Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the University of Tsukuba’s College of Japanese Language and Culture. She previously worked at Next Ltd. on the back of experience as a production assistant during her student days before going freelance. In 2014 she founded atlas, a company handling production, production assistance, ticketing etc. Productions include “Anata no hatsukoi sagasimasu (Finding Mr. Destiny),” “Indigo Tomato,” “Utsuronomakoto,” “Face” and “‘Sister.”