Izumi Ashizawa, Neighbor

Originally founded in 2002, <b>Izumi Ashizawa</b> Performance explores the <b>physical story-telling</b> with unconventional puppetry and object animation. The company values the interdisciplinary collaboration process with dancers, actors, composers, musicians, sculptors.  Based on <b>Japanese physical performance techniques</b>, Ashizawa’s movement techniques are <b>taught around the world</b>, including the U.S.A., Japan, Norway, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, Turkey, Iran, Australia,the Cayman Island, and Peru. <b>The original performances</b> by Izumi Ashizawa Performance<b>were performed in various countries</b>: <i>The Blue Rocks</i> (Sibiu International Theatre Festival in<b>Romania</b>, Fadjr International Theatre Festival in <b>Iran</b>, ManInFest in Romania, Arion <b>Tokyo</b> Summer Music Festival in Japan, International Arts and Ideas Festival and <b>NYC</b> International Fringe Festival in the U.S.A., Documentary and Excerpt of this show were <b>broadcast</b> in National Public Television of Japan BS &#34;Today&#39;s World&#34;), <i>Bakeneko Kyosokyoku </i>(Novo-Siberian Transit,<b>Russia</b>), <i>Gilgamesh</i> (Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, and USF, U.S.A., Excerpt from this show along with Ashizawa&#39;s interview was broadcast in PBS&#39;s TV series &#34;Invitation to World Literature&#34; Episode 1: Gilgamesh) <i>Le Morte de La Fontaine </i>(Woodford Folk Festival, <b>Australia</b>), <i>Haoma and the Warrior</i> (Iran), <i>Zahak</i> (International Women Theatre Festival, Iran), <i>iKilL </i>(Capital Fringe Festival, U.S.A.), <i>Minotaur</i> (Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, U.S.A., and IIFUT Festival, Iran), <i>Dreams in the Arms of the Binding Lady </i>(Danza Nueva, Peru, Municipal Theatre in Piura, Peru, Municipal Theatre in Trujillo, <b>Peru,</b> <b>J.F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts</b>, Washington DC, Capital Fringe Festival, Washington DC).  Director Izumi Ashizawa won numerous <b>awards</b> including<b>Medal of Honor for Cultural Excellence</b> from the City of Piura in Peru, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Faculty Achievement  Award Excellence in Directing and Technology, Capital Fringe Director’s Award, UNESCO-Aschberg Award, IIFUT <b>Best Performance Award, Tehran</b> Municipality Culture and Arts Organization Award, <b>Australian Government Fund for the Arts</b>, and <b>Norwegian Cultural Fund</b><b>.</b>

<strong>Artistic Director Izumi Ashizawa serves as a faculty in the Theatre Arts Department at the SUNY Stony Brook. She is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.</strong>