On Saturday, May 30, a Theater Appreciation Event was held in the school's Main Hall. Now in its third year, this program welcomed members of Ritsumeikan University’s theater group, Gekidan Ritsumei Art Theater, who presented a theatrical performance for our students.

Every autumn, our school hosts its cultural festival, Kofusai, where many students participate in theatrical productions and performance presentations. This event was organized to provide students with the opportunity to experience high-quality performing arts, reflect on their own creative expression, and gain new insights and inspiration.

On the day of the event, students were captivated by the powerful acting, creative stage direction, and engaging storyline. According to a post-performance survey, 81.2% of respondents reported being “satisfied or very satisfied,” while 83.7% stated that their impression of theater had changed as a result of the performance, demonstrating the program’s great success.

Many students also commented that they would like to incorporate what they learned into their own activities, saying things such as, “I would like to apply the actors’ expressive techniques to my own performances,” and “I hope to make use of the lighting and stage production ideas in Kofusai.” The event provided a valuable opportunity to increase students’ motivation for future cultural and creative activities.

In addition, a discussion session with members of the school’s Drama Club was held after the performance. Students enthusiastically asked questions about acting techniques, rehearsal methods, scriptwriting, and university club activities, listening attentively to the university students’ firsthand experiences. For the Drama Club members, it was an excellent opportunity to reflect on their own activities and gain inspiration from performers working at a higher level.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the members of Gekidan Ritsumei Art Theater for providing such a wonderful performance and valuable opportunity for interaction. Our school will continue to cherish opportunities that foster students’ creativity, sensitivity, and powers of expression.