ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 日本語
YOSHIMITSU KUSHIDA
Born in 1980
From Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Director and choreographer of Dance company Lasta
In its 11th year, the Dance company Lasta continues to create horror and suspense works, one of the few in Japan.
Based on the idea of "resisting fate" and "only the light (save) that continues to struggle without salvation," we
pursue beauty not in form or style, but in action or attitude, and create works with cruelty and beauty as the
underlying themes of creation.
Work History
- Belongs to Dance Company Noism, the first dance company exclusively for theaters in Japan. (2007-2012) Performed in 10 cities in 7 countries. Performed at the Saito Kinen Festival under the direction of Seiji Ozawa, and at the NHK Ballet Festival. Won the 8th Asahi Performing Arts Award for dance.
- Founded Dance company Lasta. (2013) Since then, 27 works have been announced.
- Won first prize in both the choreographic and contemporary categories at the NPDF 2015 (Czech Republic) International Dance Festival-Competition.
- Received many other awards, including the first prize in the creative dance division of the 49th Saitama National Dance Competition.
- Seoul International Choreography Festival finalist. (2015, 2016)
- Invited to Busan International Dance Festival. (2016)
- Successful 3-city tour in Japan to Yokohama, Okayama, and Kochi. (2017)
- Choreography for "National Joint Ballet Evening" by the Shikoku Branch of the Japan Ballet Association.
- Choreography for Noism 2. (2018)
- General director of the charity performance "Firebird" organized by Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture, to support the reconstruction of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. (2018)
- Announced “白昼夢 Hakucyumu'' at TPAM. (2019)
- Announced "ナラク Naraku" at TPAM. (2020)
- Announced "奈落 Naraku" at KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre. (2021)
- Our stage work "奈落 Naraku" was re-edited together with film director Hitoha Nasu, and screened for two days at a movie theater. (2022)
- Announced “牡丹灯篭 Peony Lantern” at the Yamato City Ballet. (2022)
- Announced “歓喜 Ecstasy” at MODERN & BALLET Kanagawa Kenmin Hall, sponsored by Kanagawa Prefecture Art Dance Association. (2022)
- Performed at Roppongi Art Night, Tokyo. (May 2023)
- Announced “ROOM” at KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre. (June 2023)
- Announced “糧 Kate” in Okinawa prefecture as part of the “Art Caravan 2” project. (November 2023)
- Announced “継承 Keishyo” in Okayama prefecture as part of the "Art Caravan 2" project. (January 2024)
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Dance Company Lasta is a contemporary dance company formed by Yoshimitsu Kushida, the leader of the company.
Since its establishment in 2013, the company has been working daily to perform not only in Japan but also overseas.
Purpose of Activities
The company aims to improve the performing arts and promote dance in Japan by creating works that will remain in the world and be handed down to future generations through continuous activities throughout the year. In the process of these activities, we would like to convey to the public the potential and importance of works created by a group of people. By continuing creative activities not as individuals, but as a group, we hope to mature each piece, despite the difficulties of passing them on, and create works that will be handed down to the world as classics.