Cast members of Spring Awakening
May 2009 – ICAP artists Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik visit Japan.

colorful poster advertising the new Broadway musical, Spring Awakenings

    Mr. Sater, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning poet, playwright, lyricist, and writer for television and film; and Mr. Sheik, a Grammy and Tony-winning singer-songwriter and composer met with acting school students at the Shiki Theater, home of the Tokyo run of Spring Awakenings. The Shiki Theater, founded in 1953 by renowned Japanese theater director Keita Asari, has played host to many large mainstream productions in Japan such as The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera. The Shiki invited the Spring Awakenings' creators to speak to the students on the power of the arts to make a difference in the world.
enthusiastic 'Spring Awakening' Cast Member

   After viewing their first dress rehearsal of the musical, Mr. Sater also addressed young actors in the cast, urging them to not only act in faithfulness to the scenario but to put their whole beings into touching the hearts of youth in a way so as to change the world.

   In all, Mr. Sater and Mr. Sheik observed the final two rehearsals before their musical opened to a full house at the Shiki complex’s Jiyu (Freedom) Theater. In line with the musical’s powerful message to not let the common challenges of youth rob us of our hope and courage, the show’s creators utilized their time at the opening-night cast party to hold mini-dialogues and encouragement sessions with the youthful cast members and other students from the Shiki school.
Gathering of artists    On May 5, Steven and Lori Sater and Kay Yoshikawa were joined by six of Japan’s top performing artists: Masami Hisamoto (comedian), Tomoko Hisamoto (singer), Kayoko Kishimoto (Japanese Academy Award-winning actress), Linda Yamamoto (singer), Kaho Shimada (musical-theater star) and Hikomaro (comedian). With the help of interpreter, Pamela Mishler-Akatsuka, the gathering of Eastern and Western artists shared tales of their struggles as well as their common commitment to using the arts to help move people’s hearts toward peace and happiness.