History

Founded in 1954. On December 17, 1954, the company staged its first performance, Daisan no Shogen (The Third Testimony) by Rinzo Shiina, at the Haiyuza Theater.The program contains the following, opening statement: The membership of Seinenza is comprised of youths. Our primary aim is to produce new and innovative plays. In this way, we at Seinenza hope to anchor and express Japan's ever-changing reality in theater. Within Japan's living and moving society, we seek to transform into theatre the very air that touches our skin... Founding members Masahiko Naruse, Sojiro Amano, Hiroshi Hijikata, Bin Moritsuka, Yoshihiro Nakadai, Kotoe Hatsui, Hisano Yamaoka, Shinko Ujiie, Emiko Azuma, Hiroko Seki.

Awards

1968  23rd Art Festival Prize of Recognition
      (for Hage no Onna Kashu [The Bald Female Singer]) 
1968  3rd kinokuniya Group Theatre Prize
      (in recognition of annual production activities) 
1971  6th Kinokuniya Group Theatre Prize
      (in recognition of annual production activities) 
1973  28th Art Festival Prize of Excellence
      (for Sanmon Opera[Three Penny Opera]) 
1979  Tokyo Metropolitan Outstanding Children's Theatre Choice of Excellence Award
      (for Boonah, Come Down) 
1979  Welfare Ministry's Children's Welfare Cultural Award
      (for Boonah,Come Down) 
1980  34th Art Festival Award of Excellence
      (for Boonah, Come Down) 
1981  35th Art Festival Grand Prize
      (In recognition of the collaborative programming and production by 5 playwrights) 
1990  Art Festival Art Festival Award of the 1st Year of Heisei
      (for Kamikaketesanngotaisetsu) 
1997  31st Kinokuniya Group Theatre Award
      (for Three Penny Opera, Shinpan Boonah, Come Down and Vector) 
1998  5th Yomiuri Theatre Prize Award of Excellent Work
      (for Fuyuhiko) 
1998  52nd Art Festival Grand Prize
      (for Miyo, Hikoki no Takaku Toberuwo [Look, How High the Airplane Flies])