Okuni: The Woman Who Created Kabuki

Experience OKUNI: The Woman Who Created Kabuki, the vibrant true story celebrating the fearless Okuni, who in 1603 defied societal norms and gender roles to create Kabuki, Japan’s iconic art form.  Witness how Okuni and her mostly-female troupe portrayed both men and women with bold performances and flamboyant costumes, captivating audiences on the riverbanks of Kyoto.  Despite her groundbreaking success, the rise of imitators and strict morality laws led to women being banned from Kabuki, an art form that remains male-dominated today. Join us as we honor the extraordinary journey of a woman who broke barriers and shaped a theatrical legacy that endures for over 400 years.  With a captivating blend of authentic dance, live music, and dialogue, OKUNI will be performed in Japanese with subtitles and thematic narrations in English.

Conceived by and starring Japanese-born, NY-resident actress Ako, recently seen in FX/Hulu’s Emmy Award-winning series Shogun, Okuni also features well-known Tokyo-based actor Yasushi Kimura and musician Fumi Tanakadate.