Japanese Theatre Terminology
I thought I’d make this reference post for myself and for everybody who, reading the translations on this blog, may have run across these technical theatre terms and wish to better understand their full meaning.
From now on, I’ll refer to each of these terms in Japanese for the sake of brevity.
※ Please note this isn’t supposed to be an extensive guide of all the steps leading up to a stage performance, but only a summary of the main stages, as explained by Tamaki Yūki in his posts and on this detailed text.
Needless to say, if you run across any mistakes or misinterpretations, please point those out to me! Thank you very much!!
顔合わせ = kao-awase - All the people involved in the play meet up for the first time. It’s also the opportunity for the Cast to get to know each other and to read through the script for the first time.
稽古 = kēko - It simply means “rehearsal”. It’s actually an umbrella term, as there are many different types of kēko. These are:
読み合わせ = yomi-awase - It’s a formal reading of the script. The Cast and the producers sit around a table and the actors simply run their lines. No props nor sets involved at this stage.
立ち稽古 = tachi-gēko - A “stand-up rehearsal”. It’s the first rehearsal where the actors run their lines standing up and perform each scene. At this stage, they don’t perform the play from start to finish, but instead they go over each scene/act separately many times. It’s a very important stage, where the actor will receive all the necessary corrections from the Director.
通し稽古 = tōshi-gēko - Once every scene has been properly rehearsed, the Cast performs the entire play without interruptions. This stage is divided into three parts:
粗通し稽古 = ara-tōshi-gēko - At the beginning of a tōshigēko it is alright if the actor forgets his lines or improvises.
スッタフ見せ通し稽古 = staff-mise-tōshi-gēko - Similar to an ara-tōshi-gēko. It takes place in front of the entire Production and the whole Crew in order for them to understand the full structure of the play.
衣装付き通し = ishō-tsuki-tōshi - After the fitting, the actors finally perform wearing their costumes.
小屋入り = koya-iri - All rehearsals on set are over and it’s time to step into the actual theatre for the first time.
仕込み = shi-komi - On the appointed day of koyairi, the staff prepares the dressing rooms and the technical staff sets up the stage and all the props to allow the Cast to perform.
場当たり = ba-atari - It is the first rehearsal where the actors, in full makeup & costume, get to familiarise with all the props and the stage. It is time for them to finalise positioning with the Director, as they go over their scenes. It’s not a full rehearsal, instead it focuses on a few specific scenes/acts of the play. It is also the chance for the technical staff to run sound & lighting checks while the Cast is on stage.
テクニカルリハーサル = technical rehearsal - The technical staff is involved in this. The Cast doesn’t take part in this type of rehearsal.
ゲネプロ = genepro - It’s short for the German “Generalprobe”, i.e. “General Rehearsal”. It’s the very last full rehearsal and it looks exactly the way the audience will experience it. It is generally at this stage that the Media and the Press are invited in to interview the Cast and to take pictures (囲み取材 - kakomi-shūzai), and sometimes to film part of the performance in order to promote the show. For the record, a genepro can be omitted; if so, that is if the Production decides to go from baatari straight to the performance, the process is called 乗り打ち (noriuchi).
稽古打ち = kēko-uchi - It’s a nomikai a.k.a. a drinking party where the entire Cast meet up to pump each other up for the show - generally, they all drink much less than after the end of the run (lol)!
本番 = honban - The play is finally performed in front of an audience.
打ち上げ = uchi-age - When the last show is over (千穐楽 - senshūraku), it’s time to celebrate! Truth be told, it’s just another nomikai.
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