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Welcome to today's special report of a Shizuoka native.
She is a professional dancer living in New York City in her 10th year and now brings back to Shizuoka, a special performance.
Yukari Ikegaya is the only Asian principal company member of Vissi Dance Theater which is based in NYC. Vissi and artistic director/founder, Courtney Ffrench, is committed to art and artists that use the gift of dance and drama to explore moral and social issues that celebrate the joy of life, and reflect the truths of human nature.
Ms. Ikegaya studied singing, dancing and acting at musical studio since age 11 and at age 18, she moved to NYC to pursue her performance dreams.
She enrolled at the internationally acclaimed dance studio, Steps On Broadway and began auditioning. After some time, she auditioned for Vissi and Mr. Ffrench and was accepted in 2005. Dancing all day every day in classes and rehearsals, she became a principal dancer in works presented in NY, the USA and abroad.
In early August she returned here to her home town. This year being the 10th year since leaving Japan, she feels is a turning point and milestone in her artistic career.
Hello dancers and welcome to Vissi rehearsal! I want you to have the experience of dancing in an authentic NYC production that I have brought back here to Shizuoka.
Ms. Ikegaya envisioned this Japan tour and proposed to use dancers here in Shizuoka.Today is the first rehearsal day of the production to be presented.
The rehearsal is different from previous experiences of Shizuoka dancers.
Rhythms are different and fun for me!
This is a test for me and how I can express my emotions on the stage.
Shizuoka dancers stay to rehearse late hours in order to fine tune their upcoming performance.
Also Ms. Ikegaya, being co-producer takes care of tickets, hotels, programs, restaurants, transportation and all dancers needs.
If I cut back on anything for this Japan tour, I cut back on sleep...
Ms. Ikegaya's family has been supportive and helpful in this her first producing effort.
My daughter loves dance from young age so we support and help her artistic quest. We do our best!
On opening night many people want to see the authentic performing arts production at Shizuoka theater.
It is few minutes before curtain and the backstage tension is felt by all.
The program is THE HOARDE. In the beginning of the story, a couple get married in Tivoli. This is a marriage of dance.
The devil king appears and destroys the town and takes the bride away who is anxious and fearful.
Betrayal, death, vengeance and redemption.
For 90 minutes they performed at there very best.
I saw sweat and it was like a shower! I am very impressed and happy!
Japanese artists and American artists, they interact. That is so great and I am proud of the performance here in Shizuoka!
The Shizuoka dancers also leaned a lot.
I am strongly feeling that the professional performing arts express the meaning of human kind.
I think it is an important to tell various people by body expression.
I will keep on going, climbing to the top of the mountain.
It is my intension to give people courage and power through the performing arts.
As producer/artist, she will meet the challenge of bridging Japan and New York.
Ms. Ikegaya was talking about bringing the professional performing arts production for people to see, not only big city but also small cities. She made that come true. The live performance is a totally engulfing and transforming experience, and we and the people thank her for bringing this major artistic venture to us.