Volume 04, Number 14
Kids
Highflying Cycling
Kids take to the motocross course.
by Marie Teather
Watching your child flying through the air above a muddy terrain whilst hanging onto a revving 50cc engine may not, for most parents, seem the ideal way to while away the weekend. However, as kids increasingly look for more extreme hobbies to engage themselves in, motocross is gaining in popularity as the ultimate sport to top their pal's more traditional past-times, and score some vital playground credibility points.
Motocross, sometimes referred to as dirt biking, derives its name from the words ‘motorcycle' and ‘cross-country'. A typical motocross competition conquers up images of dare-devil stunts, aggressive riding, bumps and bruises, plus of course plenty of sludged-up biking gear—hardly the kind of sport most mothers dream of for their children. But for kids who do become involved in racing, the skills learnt can soon waylay any potential fears that parents may have.
Often at a loss to find interesting and fun activities that the whole family can participate in together—motocross is ironically a family sport. Unlike at the local games center, kids will welcome mum and dad being present to offer support and give allimportant mechanical advice when their engine fails.
Recognizing possible dangers and respecting the safety rules of their motocross club will encourage a sense of responsibility, while racing itself; training for a race, having competitors and so on, teaches your child vital life skills about competition, motivation, winning, and more importantly even—losing. Although parents may, for once, prefer the Play Station racing alternative, motocross racing is a wholly aerobic activity and any kid who hopes to do well on the dirttrack will soon, and infact have to, shape-up in order to control and stay on top of the engine.
Luckily for kids in Tokyo, Off Road Village in Saitama is an easy-toreach track for families interesting in sampling this exciting sport. Although no longer having specific children's lessons, it does have a simpler, beginners course, and can also provide rental clothes and bikes for those who are new to the sport.
For more information please call 049-226-4141 or see the website www.westpoint.co.jp/orv.html. A day out at the track is sure to see kids becoming the envy of their friends while their parents become the coolest around!
Creative Kids Act Out: How TIP Gives Teens the Chance to Shine.
by Leigh Wellsview
The Tokyo International Players (TIP) were founded in 1896 and have been bringing English-language community theater to Tokyo ever since. Community theater has long been an important first step for young actors, as they get perhaps their first chance to take to the stage while at the same time reaping the benefits of working with older, more experienced actors. This year, TIP mounted The Pirates of Penzance and was able to involve several young actors in the production.
For Hope Algeo, 14, a grade nine student at Nishimachi International School (NIS), “It was a great experience! I got to meet a bunch of awesome people that were into drama…you felt like you really belonged.” This was Algeo's first production, although she's caught the theater bug now and plans to continue performing into the future. While it was a new experience for most of the kids involved, everyone was overwhelmingly positive about their time in the show, and offered encouraging words to any creative youngsters in Tokyo. Keaton Batten, 15, says, “Keep trying and auditioning and never give up—you never know—you could get a part or be able to help out,” while Assistant Stage Manager Sarah Haber, 13, gives advice to those who might experience stage fright: “If you are nervous about getting on stage, try it out with small roles, but backstage is also a lot of fun!”
Speaking to any first timers interested in getting into theater on stage or back, is fifteen-year-old Aily Roper: “You don't need experience—if you start, then you'll gain the experience as you work your way through.”
Nicole Dickson, the Education Director at TIP, and also the drama teacher at NIS, is keen to help teens gain that experience and was able to help involve some of the promising young students from her school in the cast and crew of Pirates. It is her hope that in the future TIP will be able to host summer theater camps for children and increasingly involve them with community theater productions, something that, in her opinion, doesn't happen often enough in Tokyo. In the meantime, NIS will be mounting its first production next year, and on a case-by-case basis, the director of Elephant Man, TIP's next production, is open to having older teens audition.
Please contact Nicole at frantic_poet@hotmail.com for more information about getting involved. For younger children, those not ready to get up on stage, or anyone who just wants to see some great community theater for children, check out Tokyo Theater for Children who put on regular productions geared towards the younger set.
Email bomgo@gol.com for more information. For more information about TIP and to find out about their upcoming season, visit www.tokyoplayers.org.