A physically charged workshop drawing upon techniques from butoh, Noguchi gymnastics, and Tai-Chi. Concentration on the center of the body (tanden) is the focus.

YUKO KASEKI is a freelance dancer, choreographer and teacher in Berlin. Kaseki has developed her own rich choreographic vocabulary that is rhythmic and elegant.

Thurs./Oct. 25 5:00pm-9:00pm; Fri./Oct. 26 5:00pm-9:00pm
Fee: $190

Presented with assistance from Japan Society

Students will generate inner-energy for dance, create the flow of “inner-time and inner-space” while discovering and experiencing Kasai’s eclectic choreography.

AKIRA KASAI has been called the “Nijinsky of butoh” because of the stunning energy and concentration of his wild improvisational dances. A pivotal figure in the butoh world, he has cultivated his own idiosyncratic style, pushing the envelope by mixing elements as diverse as German eurhythmy, kabuki and hip-hop.

Sun./Oct. 28, 10:00am-2:00pm; Mon./Oct. 29, 5:30-9:30pm; Tues./Oct. 30, 5:30-9:30pm
Fee: $280

Presented with assistance from Japan Society

Students are invited to ask themselves: “What does it mean to create The presence of the body?” Dancers will be introduced to the foundations of butoh, as imparted by Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno.

YOSHITO OHNO is the son of butoh legend Kazuo Ohno and is a renowned dancer and teacher. His career has literally spanned the entire history of butoh. Since 1986, he has directed all of Kazuo Ohno’s performances, as well as creating solo work and teaching.

Sun. Oct/ 28, 3:00-7:00pm; Mon. Oct. 29, 1:00-5:00pm; Tues. Oct. 30, 1:00-5:00pm
Fee: $280

Students are guided through fundamental butoh exercises involving relaxation, breath control, sensory exploration and image-based transformations.

KO MUROBUSHI trained and performed with butoh’s creator Tatsumi Hijikata and was a founding member of Dairakudakan, the longest-running butoh company. His influential group Ariadone introduced Europe to butoh in 1978. Based in Japan, he leads the Edge Company and tours internationally throughout Europe and South America.

Fri./Nov. 2, 4:40-8:30pm; Sat./Nov. 3, 2:30-6:30pm; Sun./Nov. 4, 2:30-6:30pm
Fee: $280

This workshop guides participants through a variety of butoh techniques: image body, transformation by internal and external states, conscious and unconscious movement, and a dialogue between the body and the environment.

ATSUSHI TAKENUCHI joined Hoppo-Butoh-ha in Hokkaido, Japan in 1980. He has been developing his own “Jinen Butoh” since 1986, touring and teaching extensively throughout Japan, Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and Australia. His work is concerned with universal expressions of nature, earth, and ancient life.

Sat./Nov. 10, 10:00am-4:00pm; Sun./Nov. 11, 10:00am-4:00pm
Fee: $280

This workshop investigates the relationship between Shamanism and Dance and Body. Students will investigate the power of transformation as a fundamental element of butoh. Yukio Waguri was the main male dancer at Tatsumi Hijikata’s Asbestos-kan during 1972-1978. From this period he kept notes of the words Hijikata spoke while choreographing. These words are called “Butoh-fu”, a unique method for choreography. Waguri has made his own interpretation of these words and continues using them as a method for his own choreographies and teaching. Over the past 25 years he has taught and choreographed around the world. He is the Artistic Director of the Kohzensha Butoh Company. When choreographing and teaching, his focus is on transforming oneself to become imagery rather than depicting this through movement.

Mon./Nov 19 12:30pm-4:30pm; Tues./Nov. 20 12:30pm-4:30pm; Weds./Nov. 21 12:30pm-4:30pm
Fee: $280

Presented in conjunction with the Noguchi Museum

Working with choreographer Yuko Kaseki, whose work is inspired by butoh and western contemporary dance, participants will explore basic body awareness, improvisation with images, voice and elements of movement. The workshop will incorporate game play, the joyful study of imagination, physical movement and communication with other bodies and space. Participants will imitating animal figures and movement, and create a joint fantasy animal with between parent and child. Open to the public, for families with children ages 5-11. Reservations for Art for Families are accepted by mail. To receive a registration form, please email your name, mailing address and telephone number to education@noguchi.org or call 718.204.7088, extension 205.

There are four University Workshops featuring festival artists. For questions/information please contact these venues directly.

At Yale University
Workshop with Yukio Waguri
November 14

At Fordham University
Workshop with Yuko Kaseki
October 31

At Fordham University
Workshop with Ko Murobushi
November 7

At Fordham University
Workshop with Yukio Waguri
November 15

Note: These is a closed workshops open only to Yale and Fordham University students.