This paper discusses the transformation of KISARAGI Koharu's self from the 1980s to the 1990s. In the 1980s, the theme of KISARAGI's plays was her own self. At that time, her question, ‘Why should I create theatre?’ could be interpreted as the following: ‘Why am I doomed to write and direct plays?’ However, in the 1990s, she began to reflect on why she developed the theatre, as an artist, and the meanings of theatre for her community and the people around her.

I examine this developmental transition through two of her works: The Children of August (1991-1993) and A·R-Sketches of AKUTAGAWA Ryunosuke (1993). The Children of August is a report of her theatre workshop with junior high school students in 1991 by KISARAGI herself. A·R-Sketches of AKUTAGAWA Ryunosuke is one of her plays intended to be performed by her company ‘Noise’.

A·R-Sketches of AKUTAGAWA Ryunosuke is different from her previous plays. Its themes are the creation of art in our reality and everyday worlds, and the preoccupations of living as an artist within an ordinary society. Writing The Children of August led KISARAGI to make this novel shift. Reflecting on her workshop by writing The Children of August, KISARAGI began to think about theatre's responsibilities towards and possibilities for communities.