Gankyo Nakamura

Greater Los Angeles Asian/Asian-American/Pacific Islander Dance Theater

ACTA’s Apprenticeship Program in 2010 with apprentice Lea Sachiko Yamaguchi.  During the apprenticeship, Sachiko underwent strict training in the secrets of the Kabuki dance Renjishi, or Lion Dance, a piece with origins in Noh and Kyogen theatre which demands distinct techniques, and cross-training in male and female character form distinctive of the Kansai lineage from which Gankyo comes.  Gankyo guided Sachiko through the movements, history, and legends that surround this piece, along with training her body to endure over seventy pounds of costume and wig.