Front Page
CJA’s Statement
Over the past 20 years, Crossing Jamaica Avenue, led by an Asian Artistic Director, has brought innovative theatrical performances that fuse Western and Eastern theater techniques, aesthetics, stories, and cultures to our New York City community. We create by exploring together and learning from our collaborators and audiences.
In this current climate of escalated political and social divisiveness and hate, CJA is committed now more than ever to bridging different cultures and traditions together and showcasing the often hidden voices of minorities through theater. As an arts organization and a member of the New York City community, we will continue to highlight our core values and bring works to audiences throughout the city and beyond!
CJA’s 3rd Theater To Go project
The Nighthawk Star (Yodaka no Hoshi)
Saturday, August 28 at 8 pm EST / Sunday, August 29 at 9 am JST
Written by Kenji Miyazawa / Translated by Hiroaki Sato
A timelss tale about a misfit bird whose journey to escape leads to an otherworldly transformation.
Free with a pay-what-you-can donation option.
*To expand accessibility, there will be English subtitles.
Please join us for a special virtual solo storytelling performance of Kenji Miyazawa’s The Nighthawk Star (Yodaka no Hoshi). On what is considered the 100th anniversary of when this poetic short story was written, CJA will present one viewing of our production, followed by a talk-back with artists and the audience.
Message from the director Sonoko Kawahara
I have been drawn to this story since I first read it as an elementary school student in Japan — the magical journey of a misfit bird. When setting out to direct this tale, I was particularly interested in breaking Miyazawa’s words down to their true essence to explore the story’s meaning, which I am learning through this process can be interpreted in many fascinating ways. Having lived through a global pandemic and societal unrest this past year, I look forward to letting this bird fly in New York City and listening to the call of the Nighthawk with you.
Marina Celander as the Storyteller
Directed by Sonoko Kawahara
Music by Fumi Tanakadate
Lighting by Qian Chengyuan
Videography by Steven De Castro
Performed and filmed at the Target Margin Theater’s Doxsee Theater in August 2021
[よだかの星 日本語ページ]
The Nighthawks Star (Yodaka no Hoshi) is made possible by the support Japan Foundation.
The Nighthawk Star (よだかの星）Program
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
A.R.T./New York Covid-19 Relief Fund
NYSCA-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund
The Japan Foundation, New York
Leon Levy Foundation Covid Relief Fund
Rande Brown / John Gillespie / Wasaka Nagakura / Ryoko Suzuki / Diana Chang / Warner Media /
Suzanne Bennett / Miki Akamatsu / Masaya Kuroda
Please Support CJA
2020 STAR FESTIVAL: Tanabata Story in Zoom
Let’s explore the world of Tanabata together!
Go To Star Festival in Zoom page
MOMOTARO: In Search of a HERO
2020 Theater To Go version
MOMOTARO 動画の日本語対訳 PDFダウンロードはここをクリックして下さい
Sing & Dance with MOMOTARO performers and thier friends
Children’s Special
MOMOTARO: In Search of A Hero On Stage
@ at Japan Society NY’s Lila Acheson Wallace Theater
Photography by Maria Baranova
a cross-cultural gender-bending heroic tale based on the famed Japanese story Momotaro “Peach Boy”. This production includes live music and dance and employs the Japanese theatrical technique “Tayu” where the narrator and actor roles are separate.
Go To MOMOTARO page
OTHER PRODUCTIONS presented in association with Japan Society NY
Women In Yeats at 47 Great Jones St.
Site-specific presentation of At the Hawk’s Well & The Only Jealousy of Emer
Written by W.B. Yeats
photos by Keiichiro Hoashi
