Akira Kasai’s Butoh America

World Premiere Centennial Commission
Thursday, October 25 & Friday, October 26 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 27 at 2 pm

For tickets to the Thursday and Friday performances, please call the Box Office at (212) 715-1258.  Tickets for Saturday’s performance can be purchased online below.

To celebrate its centennial, Japan Society has commissioned legendary performer Akira Kasai, one of the co-founders of the butoh movement, to create a new piece, Butoh America, in collaboration with five emerging U.S.-based performers who were hand-picked by Mr. Kasai through a three-day audition at Japan Society last year.

Kasai studied modern dance and ballet, when he met Kazuo Ohno and performed Gi-gi under his guidance in 1963. The following year, he visited Tatsumi Hijikata and performed in his Barairo Dance (Rose-Colored Dance). Over decades, Kasai’s career as a dancer has flourished in Japan as well as in Europe. Described as “part Marcel Marceau, part Mick Jagger… all…a kind of existential fun” by Dance Magazine, Kasai will perform and choreograph Butoh America, which promises to be an electrifying exploration of present-day America.

Tickets: $35/$30 Japan Society members.  Purchase tickets online below or call the Box Office at (212) 715-1258.