YAMATO: Program

YAMATO

THE DRUMMERS OF JAPAN SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025 | 7:30 PM Shannon Hall at Memorial Union

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Please silence all devices while viewing this program. We also invite you to reduce your screen brightness if you are able.

We appreciate your help in maintaining a quiet hall that is conducive to musicmaking and listening.

In an effort to increase our sustainability efforts, the Wisconsin Union Theater is now utilizing digital programs.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Click below to jump to a section: Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Program & Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Artist Bio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Donors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Coming Up at the Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Theater Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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PROGRAMMED BY THE PERFORMING ARTS COMMITTEE The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee (WUD PAC) is a student-run organization that brings world-class artists to campus by programming the Wisconsin Union Theater’s annual season of events.

WUD PAC focuses on pushing range and diversity in its programming while connecting to students and the broader Madison community.

In addition to planning the Wisconsin Union Theater’s season, WUD PAC programs and produces studentcentered events that take place in the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Play Circle. WUD PAC makes it a priority to connect students to performing artists through educational engagement activities and more.

WUD PAC is part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Leadership and Engagement Program and is central to the Wisconsin Union’s purpose of developing the leaders of tomorrow and creating community in a place where all belong.

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PROGRAM & NOTES

「人の力」“Hito no Chikara”: The Power of Human Strength 跫

Ashioto – Footsteps

It appeared on a barren land, rising at dawn, and began walking toward the sun. It crossed fields, mountains, and valleys, passing through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. As the sun set, it lay down, admired the moon, and counted the stars. Born and vanished, vanished and born again, it rises, walks, and keeps walking. What is it striving for? Why does it continue to walk?

The sound of footsteps echoes through the air.

有頂天

Ucho-ten – Rapture

This is the pinnacle of the world. Today, I have reached the highest point I have ever known. For now, I will forget everything and celebrate the self that arrived here today.

It is incredible. I feel on top of the world. My life is going splendidly … until the wind blows, sweeping me back to the start. When reality hits, fear creeps in, so I will laugh it all off and keep pushing forward. Tomorrow, I will climb even higher.

I am aiming for the very top.

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烈火

Rekka – Wildfire

Bodies collide, flesh against flesh. Sound against sound. But what truly clashes are the inner souls. Each body, ignited by a multitude of souls, burns with flames of varied hues. Sparks fly, as vibrant flames clash, pulsing to the rhythm of beating hearts. The flames begin to synchronize with the beats, becoming one, fiercely and beautifully burning. What can be seen within that blazing unity?

The roar of sound resonates.

我楽多

Garakuta – Odds and Ends

Voices of odds and ends are heard. Their voices, small and cheerful, play with the day today. There is no grand reason to speak of, no particularly profound cause. These odds and ends serve no specific purpose and are of no use to the world.

Yet, there is a spirited desire to express this: There is no trash in this world! Everything, surely, is someone’s treasure!

Little hearts resonate together.

“Odds and ends” is written in kanji as 我 (ga), 楽 (raku), 多 (ta), and translates to “I have fun.” This is a comedic piece using a small instrument called a chappa, not a traditional Japanese drum.

壱徹

Ittetsu – Stubborn

Once I am resolved, I pursue my goal without diversion.

I press on with unwavering determination, embodying stubborn persistence. An unbendable belief, once so steadfast, twists and bends under various temptations. My strong will and resolve sometimes fade, becoming nearly invisible. Even today, struggling not to succumb to defeat, I continue to battle with myself. I live with a clear mind and straight purpose.

Just keep drumming!

INTERMISSION

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熱情

Netsujoh – Passion

Born into this world as a human, carrying a passion that endures as long as life persists. The fervor that burns in the hearts of all who live in the present moment. Now is the time to raise that passion high. With the flame of this fervor, illuminate the darkness and forge ahead on the path that lies before us. Let us raise our voices and thrust our fists skyward.

The heart, an engine beating strongly within, sends energy to both body and spirit. Hearts dance with the joy of shared smiles.

O flame of passion, illuminate the world and its people.

爛爛

Ran-Ran – The Glaring Thing

A glowing light within the heart, a brilliance shining deep in the eyes. Quietly present, clearly existing, unyielding to any force that may come. Close the eyes to behold it. With resolve, lift your face, and in that moment of opening your eyes, light bursts forth from within. A flash of brilliance carves out the path that must be followed.

Let us proceed without hesitation.

輩

Yakara – The Guys

Not knowing when one transitions from child to adult. No matter how old we grow, we can never fully become adults.

Dreams, hopes, ambitions, and desires. Repeatedly swinging between joy and sorrow. Let us cherish the innocent and pure parts within each other, embracing and supporting one another. Let us stand together, sweating and shedding tears, once more.

Grimly determined.

楽打

Rakuda – Joy of the Beat

Raku-da is a coined term combining the kanji for “fun” (楽, raku) and the kanji for “to drum” (打, da). The sound of the term evokes the image of a camel in Japanese. It conveys a sense of the camel’s whimsical demeanor, wandering through the endless desert. Raku-da represents “drumming with joy,” and this song embodies that spirit. It is considered one of the representative pieces of YAMATO, the group traveling through an endless world with this music.

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ARTIST BIO YAMATO: THE DRUMMERS OF JAPAN YAMATO is a Japanese taiko drumming group based in Asuka-mura Nara Prefecture, which is well known

by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan. The group calls itself YAMATO, the taiko drumming group that travels all over the world. It has brought more than 4,500 shows to 54 countries around the world since its formation in 1993.

YAMATO’s taiko work cannot be fully described by the word “performance.” The group has performed in theaters and schools and even held workshops and taiko lessons. This year, they divide their time between a tour of Japan and a world tour. Their motto is, “We go everywhere when somebody needs YAMATO, bringing energy to the people living in the world!”

YAMATO performs with more than 40 taiko drums with different characters. The largest drum, for example, called “Odaiko,” was made from a huge tree that’s more than 400 years old. It is approximately two meters in diameter and weighs 500 kg. Each taiko drum is a different size and makes a different sound.

The members of the group have trained their bodies to beat these massive taiko drums. The acoustic pressure far surpasses what one could imagine. They do not simply make their drums explode with sound; they also produce delicate music that provides the listener with a palette of meticulously crafted sound. This is why YAMATO’s acclaimed original performances are known as “physical music,” and continue to receive acclaim all over the world. YAMATO is sometimes intense, sometimes sad, sometimes comforting, and sometimes comical.

The audience is more than a group of bystanders at these performances. Engulfed in the sound of the taiko, they become one with the performers. All types of people gather around the sound of the taiko, interweaving their lives, and feeling the power of each other’s inner passion and heart. They come together to create a moment that feels truly alive.

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The 2025 World Tour was made possible in part thanks to the generous support of:

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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Anonymous

James Doyle Jr & Jessica Doyle

Robin Axel & Jacob Axel

Rae Erdahl

Mohamed Bacchus

Michael Brody & Elizabeth Ester

Martin Baggott & Jennine Baggott

Jon Fadness

Jeanne Bell & Robert Bell

Deborah Fairchild

Diane Bless

Hildy Feen

Brian Boegel & Miriam Boegel

Carol Fritsche & Jeffrey Fritsche

Cassandra Book

Deirdre Garton

Marion Brown

Neil Geminder & Joan Geminder

Alec Bukowiec Daniel Burrell Jr & Jenice Burrell

Michelle Gregoire & Tim Gregoire

Peggy Chane

Laura Guse & Berkley Guse

Lau & Bea Christensen

Amy Guthier & Mark Guthier

Diane Kostecke & Nancy Ciezki

Kristine Hallisy Sophie Van Haren & Adam Van Haren

Christine Schindler & Charles Cohen

Joel Heiman & Nicole Heiman

Janet Cohen & Neal Cohen

Brent Helt

Mary Crosby

Michael Hertting

David Cross

Seth Hoff

George Cutlip

Matthew Huston

Dane County

Kelly Kahl & Kimberly Kahl

Joseph Davis III & Wendy Davis

Elisabeth Kasdorf

Cathleen Dettmann & Mark Dettmann

Evelyn Keaton Vincent Kenney & Tiffany Kenney

David Cooper & Kelly Dehaven

Kate Kingery

Susan Dibbell

M Thomas Record Jr & Voula Kodoyianni

Elizabeth Douma

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Daniel Koehn & Mark Koehn

Sarah Riffle

Mary Kramer

Kristi Ross-Clausen

Kathryn Krieg

Sharon Rouse

Seth Dailey & Iris Kurman

Lauren Cnare & Ralph Russo

Ian Rosenberg & Caroline Laskow

Peter Ryan Morgan Sachs

Sandra Lee & Jun Lee Caryn Lesser & Max Lesser

J Gail Meyst Sahney & Vinod Sahney

Carolyn Liebhauser & Kevin Liebhauser

Beth Schaffer & Steven Schaffer

Jonathan Lipp & Susan Lipp

Carol Schroeder & Dean Schroeder

Edward Manuel & Marian Holton-Manuel

Don Schutt Jr & Sarah Schutt

Shibani Munshi

Charles Simon

Eric Nathan

André De Shields

William Ney & Glenda NoelNey

Margaret Shields Thomas Smith

Daniel Van Note

Elizabeth Snodgrass

Eugenia Ogden & Mitchell Nussbaum

Polly Snodgrass Lynn Stathas

Douglas Mackaman & Margaret O'Hara

Ana Stephens & Jason Stephens

Ryan Overstreet & Marilyn Overstreet

Jonathan Stenger

Charles Leadholm & Jeanne Parus

Andrew & Erika Stevens

David Pausch

Barbara Susman & Millard Susman

Robert Pepper & Linda Pepper

Thompson Investment Management

Kato Perlman

Elton Waack

Lisa Pfaff

Shane Wealti

Karen Pridham

Patricia Kugler Whitely & George Whitely

Todd Pulvino & Kathleen Pulvino

Kathleen Williams

John Miller & Lori Reesor

Janell Wise

Mark Reischel & Angela Reischel

Debbie Wong

Donors as of August 31, 2024

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COMING UP THE ACTING COMPANY AUGUST WILSON’S

TWO TRAINS RUNNING

Wednesday, March 19 7:30 PM Shannon Hall at Memorial Union Theater

GIL SHAHAM, VIOLIN AND ORLI SHAHAM, PIANO Thursday, April 3 7:30 PM Shannon Hall at Memorial Union Classical

ROOMFUL OF TEETH Wednesday, April 9 7:30 PM Shannon Hall at Memorial Union Classical

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WISCONSIN UNION THEATER Elizabeth Snodgrass, Director Kate Schwartz, Artist Services Manager George Hommowun, Director of Theater Event Operations Zane Enloe, Production Manager Jeff Macheel, Technical Director Heather Macheel, Technical Director Jack Nikolay, Lead House Manager Sean Danner, Box Office Manager Will Griffin, Ticketing and Web Systems Administrator Rex Nario, Administrative Assistant

WISCONSIN UNION DIRECTORATE PERFORMING ARTS COMMITTEE Nazeeha Rahman, Director Diya Abbas, Programming Associate Director Valeria Rodrigo Rojas, Programming Associate Director Bri Bernard, Marketing Associate Director Eric Henkes, External Relations Associate Director Devon Smith, Media & Membership Recruitment Associate Director

Wisconsin Union Theater

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800 Langdon St. Madison, WI 53706

@wiuniontheater @wisconsinuniontheater

608-262-2202 (Main Office) 608-265-ARTS (Box Office) uniontheater.wisc.edu

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