COMPANY/Dance Theatre LUDENS

1999: Began activities. Collaborated with dancers on new projects. 2000 - 2002: Performed Be （2000）, Es （2001）, & Distance （2002） at Park Tower Next Dance Festival.
2003, 2004: Performed AGAINST NEWTON & AGAINST NEWTON II at New National Theater.
2006: Performed MOMENTS at Akiyoshidai International Art Village & Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse.
2001: Performed Be （duo version） at Yokohama Dance Collection
　　　　　　Solo & Duo Competition and received the French Embassy Award & the Yokohama Culture Foundation Award.
2003: Received award at Japan Dance Critics Association for rising artists. Received invitation to perform abroad in Korea, Tunisia （Africa）, France, Austria, Portugal, and other countires. Also performed throughout Japan.

Ever since its inception in 1999 they have emphasized the importance of "process" in their projects. Works are created through a collaborative process by Takiko Iwabuchi and other members. Their performances are characteristically dramatic, in a "dance-theater" style, thrillingly portraying the inner-lives and connections between people. The company's name "Ludens" comes from a book by Johan Huizinga, and means "playful people." They present a new work once a year and give repertory tours in Japan, and overseas. They hold around 50 workshops a year, and participate in Artist-In-Residence Programs at the Akiyoshidai International Art Village, and the Center Choreographique National de Tours. From the years 2000 to 2005 they received sponsorship from the Saison Foundation.

They are working to create works to be performed at museums, outdoor venues, and other non-theater locations. The company also wishes to perform long residence performances and workshops, living and performing in a new community for a length of time, within Tokyo as well as other locales.