Akihito Nakatsuru
Akihito Nakatsuru
Born 1973 in Oita Pref. In 2000 he stated the theater company TRASHMASTERS with actors from the TOMM Actors Studio. Calling the group “masters of trash” expressed the desire for creativity that transcended the mainstream by seeking working methods and modes of expression outside the usual formulas of famous works and productions. In recent years, Nakatsuru has written numerous weighty human dramas dealing with the varied problems of contemporary Japanese society. While working on the premise that his works should be enjoyable as entertainment in a broad sense, he also attempts challenging tasks of staging such as changing even the stage floor between scenes and lengthening performances beyond the normally accepted limits. Among his representative works are TRASHMASTAURANT (2002, ’03), Tondemonai Onna (Outrageous Woman) (’08, ’11), which was also turned into a TV drama, BEYOND THE DOCUMENT (’08), elevation – Kofuku no Nanmin (Refugees of Happiness) (’09), Haiiro no Kanata (Beyond Gray) (’10), etc. For productions outside his own company, Nakatsuru also writes and directs plays, writes scenarios for video works and performs as an actor. Outside his company, he is also active in the performance unit “Nakatsuru Akihito Lovers” and his own “Last Creators Production” company.
