Za-Koenji Announces 2026 Lineup!
Za-Koenji in Suginami Ward announced its 2026 lineup under a new designated manager, LLC syuz'gen. Directed by Keita Shirai, it will offer 8 hosted programs including international co-productions, alongside a renewed cafe and services.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:08 (441h 32m after Collected)
We are pleased to announce that the Suginami Arts Theater "Za-Koenji" (Suginami-ku, Tokyo / Designated Manager: LLC syuz'gen) has revealed its lineup for fiscal 2026, alongside unveiling a new symbol that represents the theater's renewal.
Today, operating under a new designated manager, Za-Koenji starts anew aiming to be a "cultural creation hub for everyone." Under Artistic Director Keita Shirai, it will develop world-class performing arts and community-based creative works. The 8 hosted programs for fiscal 2026 include a new performance piece "Kudo (Hollow)" by artist Tetsuya Umeda, which inherits memories from the theater's opening, starting on Wednesday, April 29 (holiday). In mid-June, an international co-production by Japanese and Korean theater companies, Onsen Dragon × Route 58 "Chosei Coal Mine - We Wanted to Live," will be staged. Furthermore, aiming to inherit and develop past initiatives, Keita Shirai's representative work "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be performed from Sunday, September 13, and "Traumerei" in late December. Also, an international collaborative art camp featuring artists from Asia and Japan is planned. Additionally, the completion performance of the acting training program "Za-Koenji Acting Academy," which is accepting participants until April 4, is scheduled for late February 2027. For partnered operations, 27 performances are planned, including programs with the Japan Playwrights Association, the Japan Directors Association selections, and open call works. Za-Koenji aims to qualitatively improve the viewing experience in these excellent performing arts programs. Furthermore, we will work to popularize and promote local arts and culture through initiatives aimed at nurturing professional talent, represented by the Acting Academy, and supporting ward residents' cultural activities. Also, the 2nd-floor cafe provided by Za-Koenji will be renamed "Marui Cafe" (scheduled to reopen on April 9), and we will work on renewing the "Za no Ichi (Za Market)" and the advantageous "Nami-Chike" service.
Message from the Artistic Director of Za-Koenji
In fiscal 2026, Za-Koenji takes a new step forward.
From this fiscal year, the designated manager operating Za-Koenji has changed from the NPO Theater Creation Network to LLC syuz'gen. I would like to take the highly attractive Za-Koenji, built up with ward residents by the Theater Creation Network, and leap it forward into an even more brilliant theater together with the new designated manager. To make Suginami Ward a birthplace of rich culture, I sincerely hope to open a new door for Za-Koenji and cultivate the soil from which the fountain of culture springs, together with the residents. I outline the major policies for this purpose below, sharing the future the theater aims for.
Since taking office as Artistic Director...
Today, operating under a new designated manager, Za-Koenji starts anew aiming to be a "cultural creation hub for everyone." Under Artistic Director Keita Shirai, it will develop world-class performing arts and community-based creative works. The 8 hosted programs for fiscal 2026 include a new performance piece "Kudo (Hollow)" by artist Tetsuya Umeda, which inherits memories from the theater's opening, starting on Wednesday, April 29 (holiday). In mid-June, an international co-production by Japanese and Korean theater companies, Onsen Dragon × Route 58 "Chosei Coal Mine - We Wanted to Live," will be staged. Furthermore, aiming to inherit and develop past initiatives, Keita Shirai's representative work "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be performed from Sunday, September 13, and "Traumerei" in late December. Also, an international collaborative art camp featuring artists from Asia and Japan is planned. Additionally, the completion performance of the acting training program "Za-Koenji Acting Academy," which is accepting participants until April 4, is scheduled for late February 2027. For partnered operations, 27 performances are planned, including programs with the Japan Playwrights Association, the Japan Directors Association selections, and open call works. Za-Koenji aims to qualitatively improve the viewing experience in these excellent performing arts programs. Furthermore, we will work to popularize and promote local arts and culture through initiatives aimed at nurturing professional talent, represented by the Acting Academy, and supporting ward residents' cultural activities. Also, the 2nd-floor cafe provided by Za-Koenji will be renamed "Marui Cafe" (scheduled to reopen on April 9), and we will work on renewing the "Za no Ichi (Za Market)" and the advantageous "Nami-Chike" service.
Message from the Artistic Director of Za-Koenji
In fiscal 2026, Za-Koenji takes a new step forward.
From this fiscal year, the designated manager operating Za-Koenji has changed from the NPO Theater Creation Network to LLC syuz'gen. I would like to take the highly attractive Za-Koenji, built up with ward residents by the Theater Creation Network, and leap it forward into an even more brilliant theater together with the new designated manager. To make Suginami Ward a birthplace of rich culture, I sincerely hope to open a new door for Za-Koenji and cultivate the soil from which the fountain of culture springs, together with the residents. I outline the major policies for this purpose below, sharing the future the theater aims for.
Since taking office as Artistic Director...