Kyogen Classes

What is Kyogen?

Kyogen is a theatre form over 600 years old, passed down through the generations from teacher to student. It is a highly physical, satiric theatre form with subtle humor and lots of song and dance, populated with stock characters and scenarios. Kyogen is often compared with commedia dell’arte and modern clowning.

Theatre of Yugen prides itself on training performers in Kyogen movement and voice. We are the only company in the US that offers this kind of training. Our performers regularly go on to become members of our repertoire company, helping us with our educational outreach programs, taking part in developing new plays, and performing at festivals across the world.

Theatre professionals find strong value in learning Kyogen and Noh, because it uniquely marries thought to movement, unifying mind and body in a way that few other theatre forms can. Kyogen and Noh are two of the forms that underpin Suzuki Tadashi’s training methods, and thus contribute directly to Anne Bogart’s development of Viewpoints at the SITI company in New York as well. We are fortunate to count illustrious artists like Brenda Wong Aoki of First Voice and Bay Area designer/director Ellen Brooks among our former company members.

Basic Noh and Kyogen Training Program

The new cycle starts in January 2025

Dates and More Info Forthcoming

In this introductory level program, we teach the foundational principles of Noh and Kyogen song and dance. Each lesson covers vocal training, basic motion and posture, and bodily expression unique to this traditional art. Every week, classic songs and dances are introduced and practiced.

The program culminates in a student recital.

Sign-up/Inquiry: info@theatreofyugen.org

$20/class

Scholarship for working actors and theatre major students available!

Please indicate if you have any experience with Japanese or physical theatre in your inquiry.

Intermediate Kyogen

This class expands on the basics, introducing more complex songs and dances. This class also doubles as rehearsal time for regular performers with Theatre of Yugen. Performers will be introduced to new roles, and new plays will be introduced to the company.

A foundation in the basics is required for this course.