“The Japanese nō theatre is one of the great achievements of civilization. No art is more sophisticated than this intricate fusion of music, dance, mask, costume, and language, nor does any uphold higher ideals.” – Royall Tyler, Japanese Nō Dramas

THR 2030-101 (Gen. Ed. -ICL) Japanese Culture and the Drama of Noh

*This is a General Education course (Intercultural Literacy-ICL)

3 Credits

This hands-on course includes readings, visits to Japanese cultural sites, discussions, watching Noh, and creating research projects to ask and answer the questions:

What is Noh?
What can Noh teach me/us about humanity?
Is Noh relevant in the 21st century?

THR 3530-101 Special Topics- Japanese Culture: The Music and Practice of Noh

*If you are a Dance major, this Special Topics course can be substituted for Dance History.

3 Credits

This is a hands-on course.

We will sing, dance, and play instruments to learn about Japanese culture, humanity, and ourselves.

Elizabeth with Teruhisa Oshima, Tokyo 2024

Program Leader/Instructor

Elizabeth Parks (she/her/hers) Assistant Professor of Acting/Stage Movement

Elizabeth's courses promote presence, joy, whole-body listening, physical storytelling, and embodied learning all while making space for all cultures, languages, and perspectives. She uses Compassionate and Contemplative pedagogy to empower students to grow as curious learners, intellectuals, artists, humans, and change-makers.

Elizabeth has been training with Theatre Nohgaku since 2013. In 2022 Elizabeth was awarded Mitsuo Kama Award by Theatre Nohgaku for her research and efforts in Noh. In 2024, Elizabeth trained in Japan with professional Noh actors Teruhisa Oshima and Kinue Oshima. Elizabeth has also studied under master Noh teacher and actor Akira Matsui, who is designated an “Important Intangible Cultural Asset” by the Japanese government. In 2024, her interview with Akira Matsui was a Keynote session during the Virtual Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) Symposium and was published in the Voice and Speech Review as “Voice, Body, and Performance for the Noh Actor: A Keynote Conversation with Master Akira Matsui.”

Elizabeth’s other research and creative activity includes directing theatre productions at Appalachian State such as the world premiere of Beautiful, Useful, True (Spring 2025) and Life Sucks. (Fall 2025). She is currently working on the first full-length publication on the work of Kari Margolis titled “Margolis Method: Advancing Embodiment, Craft, and Care in Performance.”

TEXTS INCLUDE

Page updated

Report abuse