kabuki 101

To provide musical accompaniment for singing.

To create a sense of liveliness and accent actors' movements.

To signal scene changes to the audience.

To represent the sound of falling rain.

Standing with shoulders squared and arms held straight down.

Pressing shoulder blades together, dropping shoulders at a sloping angle, and holding arms horizontally.

Maintaining a wide stance with hands on hips.

Leaning forward with arms extended upwards.

Mawaributai

Hanamichi

Seri

Naroku

A revolving stage used for quick scene changes.

A stage lift that brings actors up from below.

A runway that extends from the main stage through the audience.

The area beneath the stage where stagehands work.