SUITENGU PIT has five studios in a building that was formerly the Tokyo Metropolitan Nihonbashi High School, and a Main Studio that boasts a six-meter high ceiling in a newly constructed space of about 260 m². In the summer of 2017, a theater troupe named OTONAKEIKAKU, led by actor and stage director Suzuki Matsuo, was rehearsing in the Main Studio.
“We have had the stage set built and been practicing here since over a month ago,” explains a member of the production staff.
Thanks to this studio’s large floor area and high ceiling, renters can assemble a stage set the same size as that used on the actual stage they’re performing on.

In the old school building are Medium Studios, Small Studios, a meeting space, and shower rooms. In the Small Studio 1 on the second floor, another theater troupe was in the middle of a rehearsal. The troupe is FUKAIPRODUCE HAGOROMO, known for their song-and-dance-centered musicals, dubbed as “myo-sicals” (myo means “strange”).
“At SUITENGU PIT, there’s no need to worry about our sounds leaking out to our neighbors, so we can practice freely. Also, while we’re renting the space, we can leave everything out when we go home every day. Each studio also has a production room. The actors can practice at the same place every day so they are able to stay focused,” says the troupe representative, Junko Fukai.
Because SUITENGU PIT is publicly operated (by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), the rental fees are kept comparatively low, but in order to get a long-term rental, you must undergo a screening.

Even though Tokyo has a high ratio of theatrical artists such as actors and dancers, “there is still a huge lack of practice spaces,” says Fukai. If more practice spaces with conditions likes those offered by SUITENGU PIT become available, we would perhaps see greater increase in art activities within Tokyo.

Original text: Emi Sato
Photo: Shu Nakagawa