JET Programme Series: Niigata Ajet Charity Musical - Shanisa Sabdarali

My name is Shanisa Sabdarali, and I am a 3rd-year JET placed in the beautiful prefecture of Niigata. I’m excited to tell you about a charity event that I’ve been a part of for the past three years.

The Niigata Ajet Charity Musical is a voluntary event where ALTs create and perform an original or inspired musical, in English, to raise money for a charity. This tradition started in 1997 and today we celebrate its 25th anniversary with a spin on the fairytale classic ‘Hansel and Gretel.’

I started the musical in my first year, back in 2019. I eagerly volunteered since it was an awesome opportunity to meet ALTs from all around Niigata. That year I was cast as ‘Christine,’ the villain at a super science high school in our rendition of  “Frankenstein.” I enjoyed the experience so much that I had to do it again. The following year I was cast as ‘The Oracle,’ a strong zero cult leader in our original play “The Curse of the Pirate Queen.”

This year I was joined by my fellow cast member Sophie Mahy as co-director.  Being a director was a tremendous amount of work, but it was also a very rewarding experience. We started working on the script in April of 2021. Holding auditions and rehearsals which then lead up to four performances in February-March 2022. From the sounds, sets, costumes, and choreography; you name it, we do it all ourselves. 

I am so unbelievably proud of the musical and even more, proud to say that this year we raised the highest profit in musical history. We received such a large turnout that we were able to raise close to 2000 USD for the Japanese Red Cross. We were even published in two local newspapers, while also being featured in an interview by a Niigata radio station.

We couldn’t have done it without all the hard work of the 12 cast members and friends who helped along the way. It is one of the greatest takeaways from my experience in Japan. Nothing is greater than knowing I volunteered my time to spread the joy of English theater, while also raising money for charity and giving back to the community I now call home. To me, this is a memory and experience I will cherish above all others. 

I wish the musical continued success for years to come.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/P2_OLMk3mxY

Shanisa Sabdarali

Co-Director

Hansel and Gretel- 2021-2022


JET Series: Niigata Ajet Charity Musical (Japanese Embassy's Facebook) 


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