Mikazukigumi Practice Area
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Kijima
We are a small troupe, after all.
Shunmeiza has their own theatre, while we find venues to rent for each of our performances.
Shunmeiza has their own theatre, while we find venues to rent for each of our performances.
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Mikazukigumi Members
Oh, you guys are here!
We know your stay with us is gonna be short, but we're also really looking forward to working with you all!
We know your stay with us is gonna be short, but we're also really looking forward to working with you all!
Mikazukigumi Members
You guys have been training with other troupes, right? That's so cool! You gotta tell us all about what you've been doing!
Kijima
Yeah, they're a cheery bunch!
Just relax and be yourselves. There's no need to feel nervous.
Just relax and be yourselves. There's no need to feel nervous.
Kijima
Anyway, I'll have everyone introduce themselves a little later. For now, I'd like to discuss what you'll be doing with us...
Kijima
During your month with us, I'll be asking you to work with the goal of becoming a part of one of our productions.
Kijima
That's right. We're currently in the middle of getting our next production together...
Kijima
However, we still haven't decided what show to put on, let alone assigned any roles.
Kijima
So, depending on what your acting is like after one month with us... I'll be deciding whether to make you all an offer to be a part of it.
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Emu
(Then...
Whether or not we get to be a part of their next production completely depends on how we act a month from now...!)
Whether or not we get to be a part of their next production completely depends on how we act a month from now...!)
Kijima
Obviously, we're here to help you, so we're not going to just toss you out onto the street if things don't go well.
Kijima
Our goal is always to give our audience the best performances we possibly can. That isn't about to change, and I hope you'll all understand.
Kijima
Good! Then, here's the script I want you to work with.
You guys choose which roles you want to play. We'll fill in the rest.
You guys choose which roles you want to play. We'll fill in the rest.
Kijima
Once you've had a chance to read through it, a few of our members will lecture you on the basics of sword fighting and the sequences for this play.
Kijima
Finally, at the end of today's practice, I'll have you all run the various climax scenes for each character.
Several dozen minutes later
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Tsukasa
I agree!
A pleasant surprise since I was expecting a much more serious historical drama!
A pleasant surprise since I was expecting a much more serious historical drama!
Rui
Yes, Ushiwakamaru was his name in childhood. The story of his life is a dramatic one that's constantly being told and retold even to this day.
Emu
The parts where he and the tengu jump around those mountains, and the way he defeated big ol' Benkei was so awesome!
Tsukasa
Indeed! The little guy winning against overwhelming odds... A timeless tale of heroism that everyone loves.
Rui
Yes. I believe you'll have the easiest time out of all of us achieving a good grasp of Ushiwakamaru.
Nene
Yeah...
To be honest, this Ushiwakamaru's kinda tricky because he's such a free spirit. I had a hard time understanding what he was thinking most of the time...
To be honest, this Ushiwakamaru's kinda tricky because he's such a free spirit. I had a hard time understanding what he was thinking most of the time...
Nene
But it's obvious that he likes to have fun and lives true to himself, which are traits that you both share, Emu. You probably won't have any trouble playing him.
Emu
But are you sure...?
I thought either you or Tsukasa would've wanted to play the protagonist...
I thought either you or Tsukasa would've wanted to play the protagonist...
Tsukasa
But I have to think that there's a reason behind you making this suggestion, Rui...
Rui
There is. Whether or not we get to be a part of this troupe's next production hangs on how this play goes.
Nene
The last thing I want is to put on a half-baked performance because I had to frantically juggle acting and sword fighting.
Rui
I'm sorry, Tsukasa, but I'd like to assign roles in a way which more or less guarantees high-quality performances.
Rui
Especially since getting to work on a production with the other members of Mikazukigumi would invariably lead to many learning opportunities for us. I hope you understand.
Tsukasa
Chasing two hares at once is bound to end in failure, which I'd like to avoid. And I'm sure Emu will do a magnificent job as the lead.
Emu
(But they were willing to let me do it.
They think that'll make for the best performance.)
They think that'll make for the best performance.)
Next Chapter: Something's Missing