Theatre of Yugen at NOHspace

05/22/2026

What happens when the wild and wonderful ideas of elementary school students meet the playful world of Kyogen? Join us for this special staged reading of Finding a Friend, an original Kyogen-inspired work developed by Fenner Merlick and Lluís Valls in collaboration with the 4th- and 5th-grade students of Clarendon Alternative Elementary School’s Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program!

Presented as part of Theatre of Yugen’s Crazy for Words educational program, the project celebrates imagination, laughter, and collaborative storytelling inspired by the 650-year-old Japanese comic theatre tradition.

Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2pm
Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace (2840 Mariposa Street, SF)

Admission Free with Registration: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36170/production/1278030

Program
Performance of Classical Kyogen In English “Busu (Sweet Poison)”
& Special Staged Reading of an Original Kyogen Play “Finding a Friend”

Featuring Joe Galang, Fenner Merlick, Lluís Vall

Hope to see you there!

05/08/2026

June 5 & 6 at NOHSpace, join us for Memento Forest — Katami, a multimedia dance project fostering intergenerational connections and healing through mementos that were left behind. Directed and performed by Marina Fukushima, it begins in the wake of her father’s passing and unfolds through community dialogue and workshops. Through objects, memory, and ritual, it asks how we carry katami (mementos) and what we leave for those who follow, tracing absence into connection and collective healing.

June 5 - 6, 2026, 8PM
At Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace (2840 Mariposa Street, SF)
Tickets: $25/$15 https://www.usjapanctn.net/upcoming.html

Collaborating Artists:
Artistic direction, choreography, video, performance: Marina Fukushima
Scenography, video, archive process: Isak Immanuel
Drawing, performance for video: Michiko Fukushima
Mementos, metal sculpture, appearance for video: Hiroki Fukushima

Memento archive collaborations for video: Community participants from the “Memento Archive Workshop - First Rainbows” held at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) and Kokoro Assisted Living.

Produced and presented by the U.S./Japan Cultural Trade Network, Inc. (CTN), in association with Theatre of Yugen, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, and Asian Improv aRts.

Supported in part by: California Arts Council and Zellerbach Family Foundation

Photo by Isak Immanuel

04/26/2026

Our final spring performance today at 2PM is now SOLD OUT -- thank you so much for your incredible support! Please direct message us or email [email protected] to join the waitlist. 😀

04/22/2026

Opening this Thursday, April 23!! We are delighted to welcome you back to our seasonal performances of classical Japanese Kyogen in English. We are excited to present Futari Daimyo (Two Lords) and Busu (Sweet Poison), performed by our wonderful ensemble!

Yugen’s productions bring forward the wit, rhythm, and precision at the heart of Kyogen, grounded in our ongoing training in this centuries-old art and continued exploration of its timeless vitality - where cleverness turns the tables and surprises unfold with playful delight. Join us and experience the laughter that reminds us of our shared humanity across time and culture!

Directed by Lluís Valls

Featuring Joe Galang, Nick Ishimaru, Ryan Marchand, Fenner Merlick, Kate Patrick, and Lluís Valls

Thursday, April 23, 8PM
Friday, April 24, 8PM
Saturday, April 25, 5PM
Sunday, April 26, 2PM

At Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace (2840 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA 94110)

TICKETS: General Admission $30 (Regular) & $20 (Community Discount - if the price is a barrier)

https://ci.ovationtix.com/36170/production/1270272

03/29/2026

Tickets now on sale! In this season of blossoms, we are delighted to welcome you back to our seasonal performances of classical Japanese Kyogen in English. We are excited to present Futari Daimyo (Two Lords) and Busu (Sweet Poison), performed by our wonderful ensemble! Yugen’s productions bring forward the wit, rhythm, and precision at the heart of Kyogen, grounded in our ongoing training in this centuries-old art and continued exploration of its timeless vitality - where cleverness turns the tables and surprises unfold with playful delight.

Join us and experience the laughter that reminds us of our shared humanity across time and culture!

Directed by Lluís Valls
Featuring Joe Galang, Nick Ishimaru, Ryan Marchand, Fenner Merlick, Kate Patrick, and Lluís Valls

Thursday, April 23, 8PM
Friday, April 24, 8PM
Saturday, April 25, 5PM
Sunday, April 26, 2PM

At Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace (2840 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA 94110)

TICKETS: General Admission $30 (Regular) & $20 (Community Discount - if the price is a barrier)
https://ci.ovationtix.com/36170/production/1270272

02/20/2026

Tomorrow, Friday, February 20, our friends at the Japan Society of Northern California are co-presenting, with the Roxie Theater, a screening of Kokuho, an epic film that illuminates the highs and lows of Kabuki life. Join us!

https://www.usajapan.org/event/kokuho-screening/
At 7:50PM on February 20
The Roxie Theatre
3117 16th Street, San Francisco

Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, Kikuo decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. Across decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals, as each pushes to become the greatest living Kabuki master.

From acclaimed director Sang-il Lee (Pachinko), KOKUHO (meaning “national treasure”) is a film of awe-inspiring scope and sumptuous beauty, and a monument to the artists who would sacrifice everything in the pursuit of the ultimate performance. Shortlisted for International Film Feature and nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in the 98th annual Academy Awards.

Join us and the Roxie Theater for a screening of Kokuho, an epic film that illuminates the highs and lows of Kabuki life.

11/09/2025

Tomorrow’s (Nov 9) closing show of Yugen no Kai Fall Season 2025 is now SOLD OUT! Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist. Thank you!

10/10/2025

We welcome you back to our seasonal performances of classical Japanese Kyogen plays in English at NOHSpace! For this Fall season, we are excited to present Shuron (A Religious Dispute) and Kaki Yamabushi (Persimmons and the Mountain Priest), performed by our wonderful ensemble members!
https://www.theatreofyugen.org/yugen-fall-2025

Directed by Lluís Valls
Featuring Nick Ishimaru, Ryan Marchand, Fenner Merlick, Kate Patrick, and Lluís Valls

DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, November 6, 8PM
Friday, November 7, 8PM
Saturday, November 8, 5PM
Sunday, November 9, 2PM

RUNNING TIME: About 1 hour 20 minutes

VENUE: Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace (2840 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA 94110)

TICKETS: General Admission $28 (Regular) $18 (Community Discount - if the price is a barrier)
https://ci.ovationtix.com/36170/production/1254359

SYNOPSIS:
Shuron (A Religious Dispute) - When two Buddhist monks from rival sects meet on the road, their friendly debate explodes into a comic battle of chants, dances, and stubborn pride.

Kaki Yamabushi (Persimmons and the Mountain Priest) - A priest caught stealing persimmons pretends to be birds and animals - and chaos ensues!

#狂言 #能楽 #日本

09/01/2025

🍁✨ Fall 2025 Fundraiser - Save the Date! ✨🍁

Join us on Saturday, October 4, for Theatre of Yugen’s Fall 2025 Fundraiser - an afternoon filled with live performance, exquisite Japanese food and sake, and a vibrant celebration of culture, all in support of Yugen’s upcoming season.

Enjoy a buffet lunch from Akari, a selection of sake by Takara Sake USA Inc., Kyogen dances and Japanese music, plus a silent auction of unique treasures!

12 Noon –2 PM (doors open at 11:45 AM)
@ Z Space Foyer (450 Florida Street, San Francisco - around the corner from Yugen’s NOHSpace, in the same building)

Tickets: Early Bird $110 (through Sept 10) | Regular $135
Get your tickets today! ➡ https://ci.ovationtix.com/36170/production/1251547
Please note: This event is open to all ages, but alcoholic beverages, including sake, will only be served to guests 21 years and older. Drinks and food are included in the cost of your ticket.

Your support keeps centuries-old art forms alive for our community. All proceeds will benefit Yugen’s unique programs for the 2025-26 season.

Thank you for your continued support of Theatre of Yugen!
http://www.theatreofyugen.org

06/23/2025

First Public Reading of Density on June 26!! We are excited to announce that Theatre of Yugen’s ensemble members will be featured in the first public reading of Density, a bold and experimental new play written by acclaimed Japanese playwright Yudai Kamisato! We can’t wait to share this new exploration of Nohgaku’s endless possibilities with you!

The original script of Density was commissioned by the U.S./Japan Cultural Trade Network, Inc. (CTN / Asian Cultural Council Grantee, 2024) U.S./Japan Cultural Trade Network, Inc., and developed through a one-month residency made possible by funding from the Asian Cultural Council Asian Cultural Council. Development of the script and its public reading at Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace were led and organized by CTN in association with Theatre of Yugen.

Join us for the Reading and Q&A:
Thursday, June 26, at 7:30pm
Theatre of Yugen’s NOHSpace (2840 Mariposa Street, SF)!
Admission Free with Registration: https://forms.gle/XUSLVHZKS1EWFGm77
More information: https://www.theatreofyugen.org/density-reading

This project is supported by the Asian Cultural Council, whose mission is to advance international dialogue, understanding and respect through cultural exchange activities in Asia and the United States.


#狂言 #能楽 #日本 #演劇