The Carleton Players will present “Tales of Rashomon,” an original dramatic adaptation of several of Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s short stories, made famous by Akira Kurosawa’s award winning, 1950 film, “Rashomon.” Held in the Weitz Center for Creativity Theater, performances are nightly at 7:30 p.m. on May 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14, along with matinee performances at 2 p.m. on May 8 and 15.
“Tales of Rashomon” is free and open to the public. Tickets can be reserved online at https://carleton.tixato.com/buy/.
Adapted and directed by Kathy Welch,
Peformed by Carleton students, the actors have been learning three distinct traditional Japanese performance styles for this production. The Bandit’s version of the story is presented in Kabuki style; the Wife’s version of the story is presented using Noh style; and the Samurai’s version is presented using Bunraku style puppetry. Through these stylized performance forms, the Carleton Players explore the nature of truth, cynicism, horror, beauty and humor in Akutagawa’s stories.
The student ensemble features freshmen Yoichiro Ashida (Japan) and Lauren Goboff (Weston, Fla.); sophomores Yue Jin (China), Mark Steitz (Del Mar, Calif.), and Ruth Swallow (Sewanee, Tenn.); juniors Zizi Li (China) and Patton Small (Midland, Texas); and seniors Ruiqi Geng (China), Alice Mei (Chicago), and Sarah Tan (Singapore).
The artistic staff includes set design by visiting assistant professor of theater Sarah Brandner, costume design by designer and shop supervisor Mary Ann Kelling, light design by Weitz Center for Creativity manager Jeff Bartlett, and puppet and make-up design by educational associate Jenn Rathsack ‘15.
Guest Director Kathy Welch is the Artistic Director of the Ivey award-winning Green T Productions. She earned a Ph.D. in Asian Theatre from the University of Hawaii under renowned Kabuki scholar and Japanese "Order of the Rising Sun" recipient Dr. James R. Brandon, and was also a recipient of the prestigeous Japanese Ministry of Education Grant (Monbusho). Welch studied Kabuki for over ten years in Hawaii and Japan. While in Japan, she studied traditional dance, shamisen, koto, tea ceremony and conducted dissertation research on Kabuki theatre at the Kabuki, Minami and National theatres. She also studied Kabuki acting under the late Japanese Living National Treasure, Nakamura Matagorô, and Kabuki dance for six years under Onoe Kikunobu. Welch’s extensive experience with Asian theatre forms also includes Beijing opera (jinqu), Balinese kecak, kyogen, noh and bunraku.
This event is sponsored by the Carleton College Department of Theater and Dance. For more information, including disability accommodations, please call (507) 222-4531. The Weitz Center for Creativity is located at Third and College Streets in Northfield.
