Julie A. Iezzi

ジュリー・イエッツィー

she/her
Julie A. Iezzi
Current Position

Professor, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa,

Disciplines
Performing Arts Literary Studies Theater Studies Translation
Research Interests

Japanese traditional performance, Pre-modern (Edo) books and theatrical ephemera, Music (hogaku)

Research Languages

Japanese, English

Current Location

Honolulu , United States

About Me

My main interests are in creating and staging English-language performance translations of traditional Japan theatre, as well as performing in traditional theatre. I hold a natori (professional name, Tokiwazu Tokisato) in Tokiwazu narrative, and continue my training in Kyoto under my long-time master, Tokiwazu Tokizo, whenever possible. I am also interested in exploring ways in which Japanese performance conventions and techniques can inspire as well as be respectfully and effectively incorporated into new creative endeavors

Education

BA, Japanese Studies and Education, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH, 1985

MA, Asian Theatre, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 1991

MA, Musicology, Tokyo University of Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan, 1995

PhD, Japanese Theatre, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 2000

natori, Tokiwazu narrative, Tokiwazu Tokizo, Kyoto, Japan, 2022

Selected Past Employment
  • Professor, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2000-present
Selected Publications
  • “Founders in the Field: Jonah Salz—Kyōgen” for Asian Theatre Journal, Spr 2023

  • “Techno-Tradition—a foray into technology-integrated Japanese performance in recent years.” Co-authored with Lim Beng Choo. Japanese Studies. Vol.42, 2022-Issue 2. p155-174

  • “KABUKI” in A History of Japanese Theatre, ed. By Jonah Salz. Cambridge Press, 2016

  • Asian Theatre Journal (co-ediitor w/Jonah Salz), special issue on Kyōgen. 24:1. Spring 2007

  • “Kyōgen in English: A Bibliography,” with Introduction. In Asian Theatre Journal. 24:1, Spring 2007.

  • Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre. Edited by Samuel L. Leiter. Greenwood Press, December 2006. (Entries for Women in Theatre, Makeup and Wigs, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Super Kabuki, Costumes, Takemoto Gidayū, Stages, Music and Musical Instruments, Nakamura Utaemon, and Nakamura Ganjirō.

  • Exhibition Curator:

    2024  “Hawai’i Kabuki: Connections through Space and Time” East West (EWC) Center Gallery. Honolulu, HI

    2009   “Mirror and Mirage: Japanese Noh and Kyogen” EWC Gallery.

    2002 “From Stage to Page: Kabuki Through Woodblock Prints.” EWC Gallery.

  • Directed/Translated works for stage:

    2024 The Maiden Benten and the Bandits of the White Waves

    2021 REMOTELY KYŌGEN: Comedy Under the Virtual Stars

    2017 POWER AND FOLLY: Japanese Satire for the 21st Century

    2011 The Vengeful Sword

    2007 Kyōgen: Timeless Comedy.

    2004 Nozaki Village 

    2002 Kyōgen: Laughter for All Time

    2000 Summer Festival: Mirror of Osaka

  • Websites:

    Celebrating Kabuki in Hawai’i

    www.remotelykyogen.com

    powerandfolly.weebly.com

Selected Courses Taught
  • THEA 763D: Seminar in Asian Theatre—Japan (various topics), University of Hawai'i at Manoa, periodically, 2000-2025
  • THEA 663D: Contemporary Drama and Theatre in Asia, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, periodically, 2000-2025
  • THEA 428: Japanese Acting (Kyōgen, Kabuki), University of Hawai'i at Manoa, every other year, 2000-2025
  • THEA 625: Experimenting with Asian Acting Traditions, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, every 3 years, 2000-2025
  • THEA 312, 411, 412 World Theatre Series, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, periodically, 2000-2025
  • THEA 420D: Intermediate Voice (Japanese—Kabuki, Kyōgen, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, every other year, 2000-2025
Selected Grants
  • UH Humanities Research Grant, 2023
  • Japan Studies Endowment Special Projects Grant, 2022
  • UH Endowment for the Humanities 2020 Summer Research Award, 2020
  • Japan Foundation Performing Arts Japan (PAJ) Grant, 2020-21
  • Japan Foundation Research Fellow, 2014-2015
  • Japan Foundation in Los Angeles (JFLA), 2016
  • University Research Council Travel Award, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2016
Memberships & Affiliations
  • Association for Asian Studies (AAS)
  • Kabuki Gakkai (Kabuki Research Association)
  • Kansai Tokiwazu Kyokai (Kansai Tokiwazu Association)
  • Association for Asian Performance (AAP)
Contact For
General Contact Mentoring Networking Providing an Expert Opinion Research Collaborations Serving on Boards/Committees Speaking Opportunities
Last Updated

11/29/2025