“ Pieces of Bravery ”
Conceived and directed by Makiko Shibuya Video Directed by Shiori Saito
Year 2020, the theater scene has experienced a drastic change. With many theater works moving to virtual platforms, we believe that this is the chance to have artists collaborate internationally over the internet.
We want all the creators to have a chance to create something that encompasses their talents and personalities. We will be asking them to create a songcycle musical surrounding one common theme.
WeSongCycle is not only a project to create a new musical, but also a project that explores the new opportunities in creation. We will be releasing a series of documentaries showing the creation process.
Please enjoy the journey of zero to songcycle with us!
This time, the theme given to our 10 creators is:
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word heroism?
The impeccable human who saves people from danger is only one example of the many heroes in the world. People like the healthcare workers fighting COVID-19, a friend, or even you, could also be regarded as heroes by others.
WeSongCycle has paired up lyricists and composers and ask them to create songs related to the theme, “Heroism”. We are excited to see what surprises they will bring to the new musical.
We Are Releasing The Documentaries Now!
Episode 0
June 20, 2020
Episode 1
June 27, 2020
Episode 2
Episode 3
July 4, 2020
July 18, 2020
Final Episode
December 30, 202
CREATORS
Director / Creative Director
🇯🇵Makiko Shibuya
During this worldwide chaotic time, I’d like to plant a seed for the future in theater." WeSongCycle – an international collaborative creation of a new musical. "All remote creation is challenging but I’m very thankful for having top-notch industry leader's advice for this. Through our new work, we’ll bring light to the world like the dawn. I'm very excited to have a world premiere of our international collaborative new musical!!
Composers
🇯🇵Akiha Uryu
🇰🇷Minhui Lee
🇺🇸Jamie Maletz
🇦🇺Lucy O’Brien
Lyricists
🇯🇵Tsukuri Miyano
🇺🇸Polly Hilton
🇨🇦Joe Slabe
🇺🇸Brandon Michael Lowden
🇬🇧Annabel Mutale Reed
MENTOR
Rob Rokicki
Rob Rokicki is the composer/lyricist of the Broadway musical, "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" (nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award and three Drama Desk Awards).
ADVISER
Stafford Arima
Stafford Arima is Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary in Canada. International directing credits include: Allegiance (Broadway), Ragtime (West End), Altar Boyz (Off-Broadway), Jacques Brel... (Stratford Festival), The Secret Garden(Tokyo). He is the Artistic Advisor of Broadway Dreams.
ADVISER
Telly Leung
Telly Leung was starring in the title role of Disney's ALADDIN on Broadway. Other Broadway credits includes RENT, Godspell, Allegiance, In Transit.
ADVISER
Mariko Kojima
Mariko Kojima (Chief Producer, TOHO Co., Ltd.) Dramaturg: Broadway Pacific Overtures, Off-Broadway and NYC Zanna, Don’t!, The Civilians, Basil Twist. Script Reader: NYTW, The Public Theater. MFA in Dramaturgy, Columbia Univ.
CAST
Special Appearance: Sam Tanabe
WeSongCycle Staff
Producer
Manatsu Domoto
Artistic Director
Makiko Shibuya
Music Director
Nami Hisada
Production Manager
Asako Kajiwara
Translators
Toshiyuki Dokiya
Emi Yoshida
Marie Kuroda
Video Director
Shiori Saito
Video Coordinator
Joan Chen
Art Director/ Designer (Logo and Title)
Mayu Inoue
Public Relations
Naomi Horibe
Amy Sapp
Special Thanks
Adam Lenson
FUNDRAISING
We are asking for your help to fund the WeSongCycle project. We would love to continue to provide chances for creators to collaborate globally. Therefore, we are hoping collect enough funds for us to be able to continue to run the projects in the future. If you, like us, see the value in WeSongCycle, please consider supporting us financially too.
