Date of the audition: Noon - 8:00 pm, December 2 & 3, 2019

In June 2020, Japan Society will host a month-long residency for the internationally prominent dancer, choreographer and film star Min Tanaka. Over the past ten years, Min has tried hard to avoid the international spotlight, opting instead to dedicate himself to site-specific solo performances called Ba-odori (literally meaning, “dance in a place”).  Now he is ready to return to the center of the performing arts world, New York City, for a residency that will culminate in the creation of a new work developed alongside 4-5 American performers.

MIn Tanaka's ARTISTIC statement for THE Audition

To present a new work at Japan Society, I, Min Tanaka, will begin with an audition where I expect to meet as of yet unknown bodies.

Since the beginning of human history, humankind has always made odori, or dance, though most of those odori are no longer available to watch. Throughout human history, odori has progressed alongside the advancement of language, and it seems to me that such a course of progress has caused a gap between "comprehension" and "intuition" in our human abilities. 

We don’t address the theme “words and body” much lately, but for odori, it is still a very important subject. How does one deal with one's inner thoughts and one's body? How does one relate to one's body and the external world? What should be the catalyst for odori to start? I will probably keep asking these questions as long as I live.

No matter what, odori has started and continues to exist today—and that is not enough for me. This thing I call me, my body, is not satisfied yet and clings to searching for the undiscovered appeal of odori. To keep contemplating about odori while being keenly aware to the sensations occurring in each cell in one's body—that will drive my creation for this project. 

Min Tanaka, September 19, 2019

Eligibility: 18-years-old or older / U.S. citizen or a permanent resident

Requirements:

-No performance experience is required.

-Must have a keen interest in the human body as a medium for artistic expression
-Commitment to participate in all rehearsals, taking place from June 1 through June 21, 2020, and the world premiere performances at Japan Society during the week of June 22, 2020.  A detailed schedule for rehearsals and performances will be sent out by the end of January 2020.

 

To Apply:

1. First, please read Min Tanaka's above statement and write a 500-word essay to explain why you are applying to this audition.
2. Submit the essay together with a short bio (max. 150 words) via e-mail to PDepartment@japansociety.org by November 4, 2019.  In the SUBJECT line, make sure to put [Min Tanaka Audition Application].
3. If you prefer, you may submit up to two (2) supporting materials, either video(s) or photo(s).  Video submissions will only be accepted by providing a link to a website address, not as an attachment.  Photos, however, can be attached to the e-mail, but please make sure the total size of the e-mail does not exceed 10MB.
4. You will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received no later than the following business day of your submission.  If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact PDepartment@japansociety.org after checking your SPAM folder.