Established back in 1896, the Tokyo International Players is Japan's oldest-running English-language theater company. Now in it's 118th season and just in time for Christmas, TIP is presenting a brand-new version of Louisa May Alcott's beloved "Little Women," which follows the lives and loves of the four March sisters. TIP stalwart Ann Jenkins will play the role of the sisters' acid-tongued Great Aunt March.
Although Jenkins has taken roles in numerous TIP productions during her 24-year involvement with the group, she is just as active behind the scenes. When she isn't performing in one of the shows, Jenkins can usually be found out the front selling tickets and letting patrons know about upcoming productions. She has also been a member of TIP's board of directors for the last six years.
"I'm never without brochures or flyers about TIP," she says. "I'm still meeting people who've lived in Tokyo for years but have never heard of us." Jenkins is more than happy to put that right.