Students and faculty of Department of Theatre Arts participate in 2019 Camping Asia
(Provided by the Department of Theatre Arts)
The students and faculty of the Department of Theater Arts (DTA), National Sun Yat-sen University, joined 2019 Camping Asia - an international exchange project, to get to know the characteristics of art from all over the world and absorb knowledge during classes, workshops, discussions and in the end, give a short performance as a way to showcase what they learned. The unique theatre training program by DTA left a long-lasting impression on international students and teaching artists. Upon return to Kaohsiung, the students and faculty of the Department shared their international experience with high school students, hoping to sow the seeds of art.
Assistant Professors of the Department Shih-Hue Tu and Walter Hsu chose six students to participate in 2019 Camping Asia in Taipei. The “morning classes” conducted by students from all over the world had different features. Te-Hsuan Chen, a fourth-year student of DTA discovered that students from Eastern countries, such as Thailand and Singapore, focused on the lower half of the body, with the movements close to the ground, while students from European countries focused on the upper part of the body, and found it difficult shift the center of their body weight to the lower body parts. Students Yung-Yu Chiang and Pei-Shan Li, both of the Department of Theatre Arts conducted the “Playback Theater” class, during which the participants could test their brainpower and performance skills through improvisation. Because most of the schools participating in 2019 Camping Asia were dance-oriented, the two classes organized by DTA students - “Playback Theater” and “Theatersports”, which were conceived from the theatrical practices, left a very positive impression on the international participants who found them interesting and fresh.
Besides classes led by students, internationally-renowned artists from all over the world personally conducted master classes during 2019 Camping Asia. A second-year student of DTA Shu-Yuan Wu particularly enjoyed the master class by the Spanish artist La Ribot; the workshop focused on the exposure time, extended time and discussed the concept of body as object and object as body. At first, the students had to treat their bodies as a tongue and practice taking things out of their bags repeatedly to fully analyze the everyday perception of their bodies. Te-Hsuan Chen, while practicing the ancient Khmer dance of Prumsodun with the previous deputy director of Khmer Arts, noticed that it is vital to maintain curve lines of the body visible from any perspective: front, back or side and in this respect, Prumsodun is similar to traditional Chinese theatrical postures. World-famous indigenous Taiwanese choreographer Bulareyaung instructed the participants on basics vocal skills and Aboriginal dance. Students Li and Chiang immersed themselves in the positive energy of the Aboriginal people, their love for music and dance. After a few days, Pei-Shan was very surprised to discover that she is not limited in terms of physical movements and able to dance. The training process has uncovered the secrets of body movements for her.
Yung-Han said, that he had been participating in many dance activities at university; at first, he was not satisfied with his performance and did not dare to speak out, but thanks to teachers’ and students’ encouragement, he started to feel more confident and enjoy the intensive training and exchange. Fourth-year student Ying-Hsin Chou had a very positive experience of the roundtable discussion. Within a very short time, she got to know the creative process of an artist and the emanating energy. It was a very helpful and worthwhile experience for her future career and a great source of inspiration. Upon their return to Kaohsiung, the participating team of students and faculty organized a “Playback Theater” workshop at Guoguang Laboratory School. Guoguang students admitted that they are looking forward to joining international events in the future as university students.
Professor Walter Hsu said that the young students are very lucky to have the opportunity to experience the art of different countries and meet students from various art schools without having to go abroad, especially during such an intensive two-week program packed with activities from dawn to dusk. He hopes that the program will eventually help the students broaden their artistic horizons. Professor Shih-Hue Tu said that the upcoming Camping Asia will be organized next year in Lyon, France, and back again in Taipei in two-years’ time. She hopes that the students of the Department will maintain the high spirits and passion, improve their English and prepare for the next annual recruitment. The Chairperson of the Department of Theatre Arts Ayling Wang thanked Professor Shih-Hue Tu for introducing this exchange opportunity, acknowledged the diligence and efforts of the group and declared her full support for international exchange.
(Edited by Public Affairs Division)
The students and faculty of the Department of Theater Arts (DTA), National Sun Yat-sen University, joined 2019 Camping Asia - an international exchange project, to get to know the characteristics of art from all over the world and absorb knowledge during classes, workshops, discussions and in the end, give a short performance as a way to showcase what they learned. The unique theatre training program by DTA left a long-lasting impression on international students and teaching artists. Upon return to Kaohsiung, the students and faculty of the Department shared their international experience with high school students, hoping to sow the seeds of art.
Assistant Professors of the Department Shih-Hue Tu and Walter Hsu chose six students to participate in 2019 Camping Asia in Taipei. The “morning classes” conducted by students from all over the world had different features. Te-Hsuan Chen, a fourth-year student of DTA discovered that students from Eastern countries, such as Thailand and Singapore, focused on the lower half of the body, with the movements close to the ground, while students from European countries focused on the upper part of the body, and found it difficult shift the center of their body weight to the lower body parts. Students Yung-Yu Chiang and Pei-Shan Li, both of the Department of Theatre Arts conducted the “Playback Theater” class, during which the participants could test their brainpower and performance skills through improvisation. Because most of the schools participating in 2019 Camping Asia were dance-oriented, the two classes organized by DTA students - “Playback Theater” and “Theatersports”, which were conceived from the theatrical practices, left a very positive impression on the international participants who found them interesting and fresh.
Besides classes led by students, internationally-renowned artists from all over the world personally conducted master classes during 2019 Camping Asia. A second-year student of DTA Shu-Yuan Wu particularly enjoyed the master class by the Spanish artist La Ribot; the workshop focused on the exposure time, extended time and discussed the concept of body as object and object as body. At first, the students had to treat their bodies as a tongue and practice taking things out of their bags repeatedly to fully analyze the everyday perception of their bodies. Te-Hsuan Chen, while practicing the ancient Khmer dance of Prumsodun with the previous deputy director of Khmer Arts, noticed that it is vital to maintain curve lines of the body visible from any perspective: front, back or side and in this respect, Prumsodun is similar to traditional Chinese theatrical postures. World-famous indigenous Taiwanese choreographer Bulareyaung instructed the participants on basics vocal skills and Aboriginal dance. Students Li and Chiang immersed themselves in the positive energy of the Aboriginal people, their love for music and dance. After a few days, Pei-Shan was very surprised to discover that she is not limited in terms of physical movements and able to dance. The training process has uncovered the secrets of body movements for her.
Yung-Han said, that he had been participating in many dance activities at university; at first, he was not satisfied with his performance and did not dare to speak out, but thanks to teachers’ and students’ encouragement, he started to feel more confident and enjoy the intensive training and exchange. Fourth-year student Ying-Hsin Chou had a very positive experience of the roundtable discussion. Within a very short time, she got to know the creative process of an artist and the emanating energy. It was a very helpful and worthwhile experience for her future career and a great source of inspiration. Upon their return to Kaohsiung, the participating team of students and faculty organized a “Playback Theater” workshop at Guoguang Laboratory School. Guoguang students admitted that they are looking forward to joining international events in the future as university students.
Professor Walter Hsu said that the young students are very lucky to have the opportunity to experience the art of different countries and meet students from various art schools without having to go abroad, especially during such an intensive two-week program packed with activities from dawn to dusk. He hopes that the program will eventually help the students broaden their artistic horizons. Professor Shih-Hue Tu said that the upcoming Camping Asia will be organized next year in Lyon, France, and back again in Taipei in two-years’ time. She hopes that the students of the Department will maintain the high spirits and passion, improve their English and prepare for the next annual recruitment. The Chairperson of the Department of Theatre Arts Ayling Wang thanked Professor Shih-Hue Tu for introducing this exchange opportunity, acknowledged the diligence and efforts of the group and declared her full support for international exchange.
(Edited by Public Affairs Division)
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