Performing Arts

Performing Arts

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Program introduces performers from Japan’s contemporary and traditional music, dance and theater scenes, and commissions non-Japanese performing artists to create works on themes relating to Japan. Many distinguished artists have performed in the Society’s 260-seat theater and on Society-produced North American tours. Since 1953, Japan Society’s Performing Arts Program has inspired audiences in New York and beyond with over 1,000 productions ranging from traditional Japanese arts to contemporary theater, dance, music and more.

Performing Arts 2024-2025 Season

This Fall, we open our season with Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry – our first-ever series dedicated entirely to the art of Japanese puppet theater. The world premiere of puppeteer Basil Twist’s Dogugaeshi at Japan Society in 2004 marked the first production from Japan Society’s Artistic Director Yoko Shioya at the helm of the Performing Arts Program.  Now, in her 20th anniversary season of leading Japan Society’s Performing Arts program, Yoko Shioya reflects on the importance of puppetry, and on Japan’s place within this esteemed artform: “We should not forget the power of analog craft and sheer human artistry even when the world – and the stage – have become more and more reliant on digital technology.  In Fall 2024, we celebrate Japan’s one-of-a-kind puppetry culture at the forefront of innovation, influence and emotional effect — both within the endlessly inventive world of puppetry and within the entire universe of theater-making.”

Alongside the Ningyo! A Parade of Puppetry series this fall, the gallery exhibition Bunraku Backstage offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Japan’s puppetry theater, showcasing actual working puppets, props, instruments, costumes and more. Check out more details here.


The second half of this season bursts with leading-edge, contrasting works by Japanese artists across many genres. Our dance program showcases the voices of East Asia; the theater program honors Japan’s incomparable avant-garde scene in the ’70s; the Play Reading furthers its focus on current women artists; the shakuhachi concert links the Edo period’s cool culture to today; and we culminate with two flashy—and wildly different—jazz concerts. Join us—enjoy this fascinating assortment!

2024-2025 Season Events

The Benshi Tradition and the Silver Screen: A Japanese Puppetry Spin-off
December 12 & 13, 2024
Part of Ningyo: A Parade of Puppetry

2024-2025 Season Workshops

2024-2025 Past Events

Basil Twist’s Dogugaeshi
September 11-19, 2024
Part of Ningyo: A Parade of Puppetry

National Bunraku Theater
October 3-5, 2024
Part of Ningyo: A Parade of Puppetry

Shinnai Meets Puppetry: One Night in Winter & The Peony Lantern
November 7-9, 2024
Part of Ningyo: A Parade of Puppetry

 

Become a Japan Society member and enjoy 20% or more off on Japan Society Performing Arts programs and access to other members-only exclusives.

 

Past Events

To view a list of past events, visit the archives page.



Top Image: © Julie Lemberger.

2024-25 Performing Arts Season Support

The season is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Additional, major support is generously provided by Doug and Teresa Peterson, Howard Gilman Foundation, and Jun Makihara and Megumi Oka. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund, John and Miyoko Davey Foundation, and a leadership gift from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Program support is provided by The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation; Cheryl Henson; Hisamitsu America, Inc.; Paula S. Lawrence; Akiko Mikumo; Hiroko Onoyama; Richard and Momona Royce; Dr. and Mrs. Carl F. Taeusch II; Dr. Jeanette C. Takamura; Nancy and Joe Walker; Estate of Alan M. Suhonen, and Performing Arts Circle members.

All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. is the official airline of the Japan Society Performing Arts Program. Yamaha is the official piano provider of Japan Society.

Japan Society programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.