The auditions that the 096k (Oclock) Kumamoto Opera Company, sponsored by Coremix, has been running since March this year and has now finished. Of the 116 applicants, 23 were successful (including one trainee). On September 15th, the 23 gathered in Kumamoto City from all over the country for an orientation and their first rehearsal.

In the morning, there was an orientation at the Kumamoto International Community House. The 23 successful applicants met for the first time with the instructors who would be teaching them directing, action, dance, and vocalization.

At the start of the event, Nobuhiko Horie, CEO of Coremix, gave a speech, telling the 23 participants the importance of people with the same aspirations coming together and spending time together to hone their skills.

After the lecturer's greeting, the 23 successful applicants introduced themselves, each sincerely explaining their careers and their feelings for the opera company.

To conclude the orientation, Kumamoto Coremix representative Shuichi Mochida took to the stage. He spoke about the thoughts behind the opera company's name, saying, "The 'k' in 096k stands for opera company. However, I think it also has four other meanings: gratitude, humility, respect, and emotion. I hope that by cherishing these things, we can bring smiles to people all over the world."

In the afternoon, the group moved to the Kumamoto Castle tourist facility "Sakura no Baba Josaien" and practiced the basics of the stage.Keiji Maeda Kabuki JourneyThe participants received one-on-one instruction from a team of outstanding instructors, including director and choreographer Shuhei Sasaki of the hit show "The Great Passage."

The inaugural performance will be held in March next year at the Sears Home Yume Hall in the civic center. After that, regular performances are planned at the Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza. The 23 members have begun preparations for the performance.