Maki Sakurai
Born January 11, 1979 (Age 47)
Actor, Producer, Director, Performer, and Communication Education Facilitator
Representative of the performance unit Senya Niya (founded in 2018)
Registered Artist with Cirque du Soleil (from 2026)
Appeared in television dramas and films including NHK's Ryomaden, Tsubasa, TV Asahi's Rinjyo, and the film Galaxy 2072.
As an actor, participated in stage productions such as The Leaders' Conference of Cowra A-side by Theatre Company Rinkogun (Australia) and the international theater exchange camp Champon (South Korea).
Also performed in productions including Moon in Reflection, directed by Julie Ann Stanzak of the Wuppertal Dance Company; Come, Hold My Hand at the Busan International Performing Arts Festival (South Korea); and Fools on the Hill by the Hiroshi Koike Bridge Project.
Engaged in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA), children's theater productions such as The Secret Story, directed by Davide Doro for the Ricca Ricca Festival, as well as Playback Theatre and other participatory performance practices.
As the founder and representative of Senya Niya, he creates original performances inspired by picture books and devised theater works developed without traditional scripts. Drawing on acting methodologies, drama therapy, communication education, and coaching techniques, he conducts workshops for local citizens in areas such as Fuchu City. He is a registered instructor with the Fuchu City Citizens Activity Center Plats.
As a facilitator of communication education and TYA programs, he has worked with elementary, junior high, and high schools throughout Japan. Most recently, he was selected as one of the artists in the Japan Arts Council's Creator and Artist Development Program (scheduled for 2024-2027).
Working under the theme of "Connecting Art and Everyday Life," he continues to explore the role of performing arts in community engagement, education, and personal development.
Contact
For performance, directing, or workshop inquiries
:goony39@gmail.com
Activity Showcase Video
Profile
Film Appearances
“Galaxy 2072”
Trailer Videos: 15 sec: https://youtu.be/TLmpukCQUbs 30 sec: https://youtu.be/TA7yFLdHubE 80 sec: https://youtu.be/_OvxZzMQICE
“Ordinary Family”
Trailer available
Upcoming PrUpcoming Projects- International Co-production Project (Japan, South Korea, China, and Singapore) | Scheduled for 2027
- Company Grande (Work-in-Progress) | Scheduled for 2027
- Body Weather Forecast Project | Research phase begins in September 2026
- Rice is Comedy | November 2026
November 2026
OrganWorks Produce
Studio Performance
Performance Information
Date & Time- Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
- Thursday, November 19, 2026
- 2:00 PM ★
- 4:30 PM
- 7:00 PM
The 2:00 PM performance on November 19 welcomes preschool-aged children and their families. Admission for preschool children is free.
Venue
(1-minute walk from Ogikubo Station West Exit)
1-16-16 Kamiogi, Suginami-ku
Tokyo 167-0043, Japan
Tickets- Advance: ¥3,000
- Door: ¥3,500
Reservations
Program
Polyopia
Shinichiro Itozaki, Maki Sakurai, Miki Sasaki, Eren Shirakura, Maika Sugizaki, Hiyori Nakamoto, Noe Fujito
Short Journey
Eri Watanabe, Shintaro Hirahara
Dried Tears
Aya Yakushiji, Mutsumi Komatsu, Haruka Watanabe, Kairi Hayashida, Chinatsu Horikawa, Tamara
Credits
Contact
Tel: +81-3-3392-3698
ing Projects
Pass a Mind from Labo
Doors open 20 minutes before each performance.
★ Child-Friendly Performance
Please note that this performance may differ from regular performances in atmosphere and audience environment. We kindly ask for your understanding when making a reservation.
G-Screw Dance Labo
3F Your Building
Website: https://g-screw.jp
All seats are unreserved.
https://forms.gle/3MZVWGjcVokVdPH39
Choreography: Haruka Watanabe, Chinatsu Horikawa
Performers:
Choreography: Shintaro Hirahara
Performers:
Choreography: Shintaro Hirahara
Performers:
Program order is subject to change and may differ from previously announced information on social media.
Produced by: OrganWorks
Production Management: Shigemi Obara, OrganWorks
Promotional Photography: Hiroyasu Ohora
G-Screw Dance Labo
Email: office@theorganworks.com
Contact Person: Haruka Watanabe (OrganWorks)
Past Activities
2025
Scotland × Korea × Japan International Exchange Research
With Wonder Fools (Scotland) and Theatre SAN (Korea)
HIxTO Dance Camp 2025
November – “YOEN”
An art × alcohol social event
September–October
Koike Hiroshi Bridge Project “HINOTORI – Firebird: Mountain God / Sea God” Directed by Hiroshi Koike Promo video: https://youtu.be/w7HmNSSri4A?si=9m8xODU4joEYd9xR
July
– Crossings “Performance Without Performers Vol.2”
Performers: Shunsuke Azuma, Kiyoe Koizuka, Maki Sakurai
February
– Koike Hiroshi Bridge Project
“SOUL of ODYSSEY” (Japan Tour) Written & Directed by Hiroshi Koike
2024
August – Borderless 2024 Dance Performance
Work by Jean Sasportes / Directed by Jean Sasportes
.JPG)
International Exchange Workshop
(Australia – The Thursday Group)
Creation workshop with Tessa and Angelique
July – Crossings “Fluxxxxxxus”
A work themed on the 1960s avant-garde movement Fluxus
May
– Tsukinami Usagi 1st Production
“The Silence of Strawberries. 2024”
Written by Toshiro Suzue / Directed by Indy Chang
International Exchange WS (Australia)
Collaboration with Angelique from The Thursday Group
2023
ParaCollage “Nokoribi”
Directed by Tatsuya Yasumoto
Interview in Fuchu City Magazine “koko iko”
April 2023 issue
Micro Art Workation 2023 (Arts Council Shizuoka)
Daily reports available on note.com (Links omitted here for brevity but included in original)
the Day of Eve Festivalhttps://note.com/microart2023/n/n0894b2d97571
Summary of the Stay
Summary of the Stay
August – CAT-A-TAC Presents
Nivante “Light Brothers” Written/Directed/Choreographed by Nivante (Yoshihiro Fujita & Masaki Murata)
March – Koike Bridge Project
Agency for Cultural Affairs Project
“Let’s Meet Here Again”
Directed by Hiroshi Koike
2022
Senya-Niya “Weathercock”
Planned, structured, and directed by Maki Sakurai A performance combining wooden blocks and physical expression
Dance Landscape Project (2021–2022)
Hosted by Company zer◯
Micro Art Workation 2022
Daily travel logs available online
https://artscouncil-shizuoka.jp/sponsored-program/maw/maw2022/maw2022-hosts-creators-list/
Day1https://note.com/microart2022/n/n46ff9c614082
Day2https://note.com/microart2022/n/n99dc35f8eaf7Day3https://note.com/microart2022/n/nc132b56e43f2Day4https://note.com/microart2022/n/ne5ec1e651a55Day5https://note.com/microart2022/n/nf92fd560a383Day6Summary of the Stayhttps://note.com/microart2022/n/nb122a232d0b9
2021
Japan–Korea Drama Reading “The Chair Is Not Bad” Directed by Ui-Shin Jung
Japan Children & Youth Theatre Association “Appetoppedaccha” Directed by Noboru Okudo (Puppet Theatre Clarte)
2020
– Space Not Blank
“Wear” and “Ice and Winter”
Directed by Ayaka Ono & Yo Nakazawa
“Ice and Winter”
“Wear”
2019
Koike Hiroshi Bridge Project “Fools on the Hill” / “Hunters in the Forest” Directed by Hiroshi Koike “Fools on the Hill”
“Hunters in the Forest”
Architanz Project “Moon of Remembrance” Directed by Julie-Anne Stanzak
International Exchange Theatre Camp “Champon” (Korea) Directed by Yoon Jong-Hwan
Ricca Ricca Festival “My Secret Story” Directed by Davide Doro
Excerpt: https://youtu.be/puE3_DHAHfgPumassi International Performing Arts Festival “Come, Hold My Hand” (Korea)
2018
TYA Festival “Next Generation in Asia”
Directed by Kenjiro Otani
About Senya-Niya
Founded in 2018 Representative: Maki Sakurai
Senya-Niya is a performance unit that blends theatre with physical expression, music, and diverse performance styles. The group values expression that emerges from “the person, the place, and the moment.”
Activities include:
Picture book–inspired creations
Devising-based productions
International co-productions
Works for children and projects created with children
Workshops incorporating acting, drama therapy, coaching, and communication education
The group aims to create spaces that nurture self-esteem and connect daily life with art. In Fuchu City, they also conduct community workshops as registered instructors at the Fuchu City Citizen Activity Center “Platz.”
● Main Activities
Citizen Activity Support Grant “Yell” Project (2021)
“Let’s find your way of expressing yourself to live each day with joy!”
“A Certain Town’s Scenery”
Collaboration Festival Version
Planetarium Performance Version
2020
– “The Best Gift in the World”
A free Christmas performance for children
2019
– Shoes and Life
A short performance using shoes, presented from the perspective of the shoes(Short performance – 1 minute)
2019 & 2018
Creative project “Night on the Galactic Railroad (Light)” with children in Hanamaki
“Night on the Galactic Railroad (Light)”
2016
– Studio Ray Presents
“The House of Building Blocks”
A storytelling and exhibition performance inspired by memorable objects from one’s own life
Workshop Activities
For Children
Pokapoka Kids Club (Ogikubo)
Mina Watoto (Creation / Outdoor Play × Wooden Blocks)
Communication education workshops in elementary & junior high schools
For Adults
Fuchu City Citizen Activity Center Platz “From Nervous to Natural: Speaking Comfortably in Public”
Senya-Niya Workshops “Mind, Body, and Expression Workshop” “Exploring the Mechanisms of Body and Mind”
International Exchange Workshops
The Thursday Group (Australia)
Physical Workshop by Davide Doro
Asia TYA Network “Let’s Talk with Friends in Asia”
Kansai Workshops
Sensu Theatre “Body Mechanics & Devising Creation Workshop”
