Theatre of Yugen Presents ANIMATING MYSTICAL ABYSS Lecture, 9/8

Theatre of Yugen (Yu - deep, quiet, otherworldly Gen - subtle, profound, dark) presents "Animating Mystical Abyss: A Lecture/Screening/Demonstration" at the Joe Goode Annex, 499 Alabama Street, Northwest Corner of Project Artaud, 17th & Alabama Streets, San Francisco, Calif. on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30.

All tickets $10. (Includes complimentary glass of wine for those 21 and over.) Contact the box office at 1-800-838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Come meet Mystical Abyss animator and CG (computer graphic) designer, Taketo Kobayashi in this one-time demonstration of his artistic process. Learn about the world of 3D animation and the ancient Japanese Jomon designs that inspire Kobayashi and his creations.

A graduate of the prestigious Keio University in Japan with a Bachelor of Environment and Information Studies, Kobayashi is joining Theatre of Yugen in San Francisco for the rehearsal process and premiere of Mystical Abyss.

Part dance, pArt Theatre, part CG animation, Mystical Abyss is a visually striking live performance piece premiering at ODC Theater in late September. Infused with the potent elegance of Noh theatre and the raw athleticism of modern dance, Mystical Abyss interweaves the creation stories of ancient Japan and the Iroquois Nations in a kaleidoscopic pageant with Kobayashi’s animation art as its backdrop.

Theatre of Yugen is an experimental ensemble dedicated to the pursuit of the intangible essence of Yugen. With a foundation in Japanese Noh drama and Kyogen comedy, we create works of world theatre by crafting original material and exploring dramatic and literary classics. By presenting and collaborating we continue the evolution of live performance and foster intercultural understanding. And by training and educating, we keep the legacy of theatrical discipline alive.

Founded by Yuriko Doi in 1978, Theatre of Yugen’s work has played to great acclaim in San Francisco and on national and international tours for three decades. Recent highlights of past seasons include Erik Ehn's Noh-distilled Frankenstein, Jubilith Moore’s adaptation of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, Lluis Valls’ Don Q, the all-day performance event The Cycle Plays, Jubilith Moore’s adaptation of Candide, or Optimism and Dogsbody commissioned and presented by Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. 2012 / 2013 productions include the touring production of Cordelia, scheduled to perform at La Mama E.T.C., A Minor Cycle; SORYA!; and Emmett Till – A River. Currently, Artistic Director Jubilith Moore leads Theatre of Yugen.