First year
(1)Research
Details: The group researched organizations and people with strong links to educational institutions in Japan and non-Japanese communities in Japan and compiled a list of places and opportunities to encounter potential participants in the creative process. It interviewed individuals with experience of collaborating in cultural activities with non-Japanese people living in Japan, and carried out an academic survey on language usage, challenges during the collaborative process, and the diversity of the Japanese language.
Additionally, chelfitsch examined how non-native speakers are involved in theatrical works in Japan and overseas.

November 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021
Online, Tokyo

(2)1st workshop
Details: The group held workshops aimed at people over high school age whose first language is not Japanese or who don’t feel that their first language is Japanese, and who are interested in “expression” such as theater, dance, art, literature, etc.

September 10 – September 12, 2021
September 17 – September 19, 2021
October 2 – October 10, 2021
Online, YAMABUKI FACTORY, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Facilitator: Toshiki Okada

Second year
(1)2nd workshop
Details: The group held workshops aimed at people over high school age whose first language is not Japanese or who don’t feel that their first language is Japanese, and who are interested in “expression” such as theater, dance, art, literature, etc.

April 11 – April 14, 2022
May 19 – May 21, 2022
Shinjuku Bunka Center Rehearsal Room, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Facilitator: Toshiki Okada, Mari Ando and Leon Kou Yonekawa

(2)Talk event
As a platform for sharing awareness of issues raised in this project, primarily with people involved in the field of theater and creative expression, Chelfitsch conducted a talk event with an audience and a live online stream. Featuring guests Tadashi Uchino (performance studies scholar/professor at Gakushuin Women’s College) and Kyoko Tokunaga (theater journalist), the event was an opportunity for lively discussion not only about expressive activities by non-native Japanese speakers, but also about the issues inherent in language itself, and the differences between native and non-native speakers, etc.

July 17, 2022
Shinjuku Bunka Center Small Hall, Shinjuku City, Tokyo

(3)3rd workshop
With a view to further broadening the scope of its encounters, Chelfitsch held a workshop using Toshiki Okada’s “imagination” methodology as in previous workshops. With actors Leon Kou Yonekawa and Mari Ando as facilitators, workshop participants performed tasks in which they more consciously shared their imagination with fellow participants in order to actualize performance.

Details: The group held workshops aimed at people over high school age whose first language is not Japanese or who don’t feel that their first language is Japanese, and who are interested in “expression” such as theater, dance, art, literature, etc.

July 31 – August 2, 2022
MIRAIKAN TAIMEI, Toshima City, Tokyo
Facilitator: Toshiki Okada, Mari Ando and Leon Kou Yonekawa

(4)4th workshop
As per the 3rd workshop, Leon Kou Yonekawa and Mari Ando were invited to act as facilitators in a workshop designed to promote the project’s purpose and Toshiki Okada’s theater methodology to more people. Furthermore, Chelfitsch increased the number of new encounters, gaining new workshop participants who understood the philosophy of this project and Okada’s methodology and who could enter the 3rd year performer audition.

Details: The group held workshops aimed at people over high school age whose first language is not Japanese or who don’t feel that their first language is Japanese, and who are interested in “expression” such as theater, dance, art, literature, etc.

October 21 – October 23, 2022
YAMABUKI FACTORY, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Facilitator: Mari Ando and Leon Kou Yonekawa

Third year
(1)Performance in Tokyo
Chelfitsch held auditions aimed at previous workshop participants. The group will create a new work with confirmed performers and present it in Tokyo (at Kichijoji Theatre). As related events during the production run, in addition to offering past workshops to the general public, the group will hold a symposium to discuss the project from the various perspectives of critics, scholars, novelists, playwrights, etc.

Kichijoji Theatre
August 4 – August 7, 2023

(2)Archive
October, 2023
Chelfitsch will create and make available an archive collection of records collating project activities over the three years. This way, even after the project is finished the group is able to leverage the archive for securing ongoing collaborative partners able to foster/provide an environment for the theatrical activities of non-native Japanese speakers, and for recognizing and sharing industry-wide awareness of the issues involved.