A3! Spotlight

A3! Spotlight
A3! Spotlight
Released	January 27, 2020
Pages	40
Publisher	Liber Entertainment

A3! Spotlight is a special publication released for A3!'s 3rd anniversary.

Interview

Spring

Itaru Chigasaki

Even the reactions of the audience are alive; this moved me.

I hear you had no acting experience before you entered MANKAI Company. When did you realize acting was fun?
Itaru	Before I started acting myself, I didn't have experience watching plays either, soo I didn't truly understand that plays were different to dramas or movies. But when I actually stood on stage, I realized that the faces of the audience in front of us would change in real time in response to the live performance we gave. Even the reactions of the audience are alive; this moved me. Additionally, as someone who had been on the consumer side up until then, I found it refreshing to think that the play we were performing was giving something to the audience. Of course, this also added to the pressure......I think I might have gained more respect for the creators I'd personally looked up to before.
Has anything major changed since you started acting?
Itaru	At the very least, my fitness has improved. When you gain stamina, it makes a bit of difference to the fatigue you feel after pulling an all-nighter, too. I've begun to think I can't quite make fun of the muscle-brained members who work out all the time. ......Ah, I don't pull all-nighters for anything other than work, so don't worry about that.
What do you do when you're not acting?
Itaru	......That's top secret. Kidding. Please excuse me; I just wanted to try saying it. In general, I have a fulfilling private life and recharge my batteries in preparation for the start of the next play run. Something like having more bags under my eyes at the end of a holiday and getting scolded by (Izumida) Azami when getting my makeup done......It's never happened. Honestly.
What's an unforgettable play for you?
Itaru	That has to be our fifth play, "Knights of Round IC THE STAGE". It was my first time in a lead role, and I was even able to speak to the audience before the play started on the first day. The original work was one which held a lot of meaning to me personally, so I was instantly motivated. Being able to work with Hoshii-san from End Links (the company which released "Knights of Round IV") is one of the top-class memories of my life......If I told my past self, I wouldn't believe it. Also, in order not to destroy the image of the original character, I was entrusted with some directing too, which was also a big experience. It's really difficult to tell others the image in your head and give them clear advice on how to approach that image. Thanks to this, I gained a newfound respect for the Director and (Kashima) Yuzo-san, who always gives us advice. Knowing how to put things into words and communicate effectively - these are both essential skills for businessmen, so I think I was able to use the skills I had somewhat, but......I still have a long way to go.

Summer

Tenma Sumeragi

Every day, just as there's sleeping, waking, and eating, there is an 'act'.

As someone who's been active in the industry since childhood, you have a long career history, but what does acting mean to you?
Tenma	Acting is me myself: "Tenma Sumeragi". I've been acting since I was born; I've lived my whole life acting. Every day, just as there's sleeping, waking, and eating, there is an 'act'. That's why I wouldn't be myself right now if I weren't acting, and I think this will be the case in the future as well. I wonder who I'll be when I stop acting......I can't even imagine it.
What's an unforgettable play for you?
Tenma	The Spring Troupe's debut play, "Romeo & Julius". Watching this play, I felt the charm of a play performed in theatre. It convinced me to challenge myself to theatre, which I'd always avoided previously. If RomiJuli hadn't existed......If that performance by (Sakuma) Sakuya and the Spring Troupe, I think I'd only ever be the "Tenma Sumeragi" in front of the camera. Also, I have to mention the Summer Troupe's debut play, "Water me!". The most important thing is to give your best performance; failure won't be tolerated; you're not a pro if you don't perfectly handle everything that's desired of you......That's how I thought. I caused trouble for the Director and the Summer Troupe, but thanks to this I was able to grow both as an actor and as an individual. Most importantly......You can't do it on your own, but if you're with friends, you can create something that's "the best", even if it's not "perfect". If I hadn't joined MANKAI Company and experienced this play, I wouldn't have understood it all my life. "Romeo & Julius" and "Water me!" are two plays which undeniably changed my life.
Have you had an unforgettable audience interaction?
Tenma	It'd be whenI was standing in the lobby saying farewell to the audience after my first performance. That day, I'd completely messed up my lines......It was okay because I ad-libbed and turned it into a joke, but personally, it wasn't a good thing at all, so I was a bit down. After that, several of the audience members came and told me, "That was the best". It really brought home the idea that you could create the "best" work without it being "perfect". Of course, a mistake is a mistake. I practiced the line I messed up over and over again so I wouldn't repeat that mistake.
Please tell us your outlook on the future.
Tenma	Whether on stage or on the screen, I want to receive a big award. In addition to giving you status as an actor, I think it's an accomplishment which demonstrates your presence, and it's proof that you've been acknowledged. Of course, I plan on earning individual awards, but......it might not be bad to earn one with friends, too.