flourish was a GRAPH feature where usumeyaku talked about things like their favorite scenes and costumes, and showed off handmade stage accessories. Arisa’s was published in May of 2017.
flourish – Arisa Hitomi (Star Troupe)
Stage makeup that had to be Just Right
Rurouni Kenshin (junior performance): Takani Megumi (main cast: Daigo Seshiru)
Normally I do my eye makeup in a very ‘musumeyaku’ style, but this time I was playing an adult woman who is concealing something deep inside, so I drew it very carefully while staying conscious of how I would be using my eyes. I’m the type to do my makeup very broadly, but I learned from this the importance of doing it strictly and patiently, and spending plenty of time on it. Daigo-san, who was retiring with that production, taught me everything, not just makeup but movements, and how to wear a kimono, so I was full of desire to carry on anything I could, no matter how little.
Roles that had a big impact on you
The Count’s Daughter – Anna
It was a intense kind of role where I was trying to take Corrine’s (Sakihi Miyu’s) life, so at that time, I had to throw away my identity as a musumeyaku (laughs). Every day in rehearsals, Director Ikuta and the Troupe Elder (Rika Masumi) would be saying “That’s just a musumeyaku” “anybody could do that!”, so I was desperately trying to follow their instructions, but once I was onstage I had a sensation that the role came into me. It was a production that made me think deeply about how I wanted to be not just as a musumeyaku, but as an actor.
Don Juan – Elvira
This was also an intense role (laughs). But my wishes to have a role of someone whose thoughts were only were for one person, and to act things out through my singing, both came true, so I think it’s a role I’m never going to forget. I yearned to be a sweet musumeyaku who resembled the baby’s breath flower, so until then there was a part of me that was trying and trying to erase my unique qualities, but with this my thinking changed a bit: if I expressed my individuality thoroughly in the role, perhaps by shining myself, I could also make the otokoyaku look even better… Now, no matter what role I play, I keep that in my heart, and I hope I’ve become a dazzling musumeyaku.
A costume you love
Two Pieces of Silver – Maho
The star, Tsukishiro-san, was with me when I had my first junior performance heroine role, and she guided me strictly but with love. Being next to her in a white [bridal] kimono made me so happy, not just as my character, but personally as well. I felt the warmth of all the other cast members who were watching over us from all around, so it’s a costume from a scene full of deep emotions for me.
A revue scene that had a big impact on you
Greatest HITS! – This is the World
Nozo-sama (Nozomi) looked after me through so many shows, so I was full of joy and gratitude at being able to dance with her in my last performance before moving troupes. In rehearsals, I even unconsciously burst into tears… In the other scenes, I was also able to be with other people who I had connections with through the years, so all the scenes left a deep impression and it’s a show I just love.
A hairstyle that you put a lot of thought into
Caleb Hunt, Private Eye – Pauline
Since I was performing with my real hair, every day before I went on I was focused on curling my hair and seeing how well I could fix the curls and waves. When I would curl it, no matter what some hair would spring out, and since I was blond that really stands out. Ai (Sumire)-san and some of the other senior actresses taught me a lot about that, so I did a lot of trial and error of using wax to keep it under control, and spraying it with water right before going on. This performance also inspired me to dedicate myself more to the habit of looking after my wigs, as well.
Hand-made item presentation
This is a bun cap from Greatest HITS!. My classmate Houka (Haruna) said “Since this is your last Snow Troupe show, I’ll make part of it!”, so she made this flower part of it. In the end, it ended up being the one I used the most (laughs).
These are some of my accessories as Marie Groscholtz in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL. Seo Yuria, who played my lover Armand, gave me a cameo brooch that I made into a necklace. In order to make the central cameo stand out properly, the band is simple, mainly made of white lace. Also, since I play a costume and wig designer, I tried to express her fine skills by putting flowers and pearls on the hair ornament, and scattering beads all around.
Technical pointers
It’s not a matter of grabbing something off the shelf and using it as-is: I have to add something of my own personality, going on stage isn’t as easy as that! That’s what I focus on. I’ll add beads or pearls among sparkling gems, trying to make it subtle and elegant. I’m determined not to avoid the fine details!