International Center for Cultural Studies

Where the People Are... Workshop on People's Theatre in Inter-Asian Society

2018-12-13 - 2018-12-15

Where the People Are...
Workshop on People's Theatre in Inter-Asian Society

Time: 13th-15th December, 2018
Organizer: The International Center for Cultural Studies (ICCS), National Chiao Tung University (NCTU). 、The International Institute for Cultural Studies (IICS), University System of Taiwan (UST). Institute of Social Research and Cultural Studies, National Chiao Tung University (NCTU)
Location: Room 210, HA Building 2, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu City, Taiwan

Workshop Objectives

People’s Theater is theater of the people, made by the people, speaks for the people, and it exists in different historical formations. In Le Théâtre du peuple, published in 1918, Romain Rolland believes that the State belongs to history but the People belong to the present. The theater for the state and the royal court had come to an end, and theater for the people emerged during the period of French Revolution and Russian Revolution. Diverse groups such as the People’s Theater and Popular Theater have appeared globally in twentieth century, marking multiple trajectories of social political situations. The most representative ones include Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed in Latin America, Theater for Development in Africa, Philippines Educational Theater Association in South East Asia, Madang Theater, and Tent Theater in South Korea and Japan. Over the past three decades, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Mainland China have also developed different forms of People’s Theater.

Facing tumultuous changes in the twenty-first century, including the prevalence of transnational capitalism, the rise of right-wing nationalism, and the intensification of social class differentiation, we would like to invite the practitioners and researchers in different Asian areas to share their experience in diverse historical and social conditions. We intend to delineate the spectrum of People’s Theater in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand by expanding on the potential of discourse and praxis of People’s Theater under the challenging status quo.

We intend to discuss the following questions: How did the praxis of People’s Theater locate themselves within heterogeneous contexts of development in different regions for the past thirty years? How do they define the methods and objects of resistance? How do they apply local elements to develop their theater aesthetics? Did they change the working methods of theater practice to adapt to the historical moments? Where are the oppressed and the people that they have been working with in the present theater practice?

Our workshop takes place in mid-December 2018 at the International Cultural Studies Institution in National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. Papers presented at the programme will be collected for future

Online Registration：https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRnSPUMCALjx012Y-SlKU3W9DfQqDlA87Cn9Jl1SnynXcUbw/viewform
Registration Deadlines 2018/12/10

*simultaneous interpretation provided

Website：https://wherethepeopleare2018.web.nycu.edu.tw/

Notes: http://iccs.chss.nycu.edu.tw/zh/news.php?USN=278

News: http://iccs.chss.nycu.edu.tw/zh/news.php?USN=275

Agenda

Location：Seminar room 210, HA Building 2, National Chiao Tung University

Time	Session
2018-12-13
17:30-19:30	“開幕之夜”: 現場展演與交流 Opening Night: Live Performance and Interaction 地點：國立交通大學人社二館一樓大廳 Location: Entrance Hall, HA Building 2, National Chiao Tung University 活動說明： “開幕之夜”將以相互交流及行為展演的形式進行。我們邀請各地劇場實踐者以身體行動作為對話的方法，呈現各個團體的表演形態與關注議題。另外，我們也歡迎與會者提供剪輯影片片段，穿插於表演之間。我們期望藉著多元與互動的面向，彼此觀摩，共同探討當前各地民眾劇場實踐者如何思考與如何面對當前的各種議題。 Description: The Opening Night will be held in the format of mutual exchanges and body performances. We invite theater practitioners from all over the world to use physical action as a method of dialogue to present different types of performance and concerns of various groups. In addition, we also welcome participants to present video clips between performances. We hope that through diversity and interaction, we will be able to learn from each other and discuss how theater practitioners address today’s issues. 策劃 Curator: 姚立群 YAO Lee Chun (Taiwan) 表演者 Performers: 阿道．巴辣夫．冉而山 Adaw Palaf Langasan／冉而山劇場 Langasan Theatre （花蓮 Hualien） Dindon W.S／墓地劇團 Teater Kubur （雅加達 Jakarta）洪承伊 HONG Seung Yi、白大紘 BAEK Dae Hyun／戲劇遊樂場 SHIIM Theater Playground SHIIM（釜山 Busan）王楚禹 WANG Chu Yu（北京 Beijing） Assane Cassimo／Teatro em Casa（莫三比克 Mozambique）策展人的話 Curator's words：當時，觀眾真的站起來了這一夜，多位劇場實踐者將以身體行動作為對話的方法，呈現深具特色的表演形態，表達他們關注議題。進入論述的脈絡，走上抵抗的現場，承接起表演的工作──他們的表演，是一系列對話的序言，也是三十年來，民眾劇場生命的證言。 At That Time, the Audience Really Stood Up. At this event, theater practitioners initiate the conversation with physical action. They engage with contemporary issues through unique performance styles. From a discursive context, they enter the scene of resistance and undertake the labor of performance. Their performance is not just the preface to a series of dialogues, but also a witness to thirty years of People's Theatre.
19:30-20:30	晚宴 Welcome Party
2018-12-14
9:00-9:20	開幕主持 Opening Moderator: 劉紀蕙 Joyce C.H. LIU (Taiwan)
9:20-12:00 茶歇Teatime: 10:30-10:50	留在歷史腳步中的台灣民眾劇場 Historical Steps of People’s Theater in Taiwan 距民眾劇場首先在台灣被提起至今已歷經三十年，它的發展軌跡及歷史脈絡仍需釐清；台灣八〇年代戒嚴/解嚴之間的社會騷動刺激青年們掀開小劇場運動的帷幕，其時閃爍的民眾劇場火種亦有待後人採掘。我們在此要問的是，反抗是不是民眾劇場的必然呈現？對體制的批判又是不是民眾劇場發展的應然條件？三十年來的民眾劇場實踐者，如何在美學表現與政治訴求之間尋找迂迴前進的方法？如何在國家與社會的角力之間重申民眾劇場的反壓迫性格？ It has been thirty years since the People’s Theater was first introduced in Taiwan, while its development trajectory and historical context still need to be clarified; the social turmoil caused by martial law in the 80’s in Taiwan spurred the youths to spark up the little theater movement(小劇場運動) and the flashing fire of People’s Theater is also waiting for the future generations to unravel. Our questions include: is the act of rebellion an inevitable factor of People’s Theater? Is the critique of the institution a proper condition for the development of the People’s Theater? How do theater practitioners find ways to make a difference between aesthetic performance and political appeal in the past thirty years? How to we reaffirm the anti-oppression character of the People’s Theater under the struggle between state and society? 主持 Moderator: 劉紀蕙 Joyce C.H. LIU (台灣 Taiwan) 講者 Speakers: 韓嘉玲 HAN Jia Ling (台灣 Taiwan)：留在歷史腳步中的台灣民眾劇場王墨林 WANG Mo Lin (台灣 Taiwan)：民眾劇場的再構造鍾喬 CHUNG Chiao (亞際 Inter-Asia)：劇場能改造世界嗎? ——亞際民眾戲劇的反思回應 Commentator: 林寶元 LIN Pao Yuan (台灣 Taiwan) 問答 Q&A
12:00-13:30	午餐 Lunch Break
13:30-17:30 茶歇 Tea Break: 15:10-15:30	重繪亞際民眾劇場歷史圖譜 I：跨地串聯與在地實踐 Re-mapping Inter-Asian Historical Contexts of People’s Theater I: Regional Solidarity and Local Practice 在亞洲，民眾劇場的實踐者曾取道歐美，以想像某種先鋒性。身處第三世界的實踐者，很快意識到與自身處境更為相關的思想資源和地方傳統的重要性。回顧具有意義的亞際連結，民眾劇場有其地理起點，亦有精神起點。以第三世界作為武器，在最薄弱的環節組成統一戰線，是民眾劇場實踐者在描繪本區域圖譜時的積極想像。戰鬥中成長起來的民眾劇場，聚集起跨域交流的共同網絡，彼此理解，相互支援。這一節將討論：什麼樣的潛能、因素與情勢促發了民眾劇場亞際網絡的建成？面對各地風起雲湧的政治變局，他們的實踐是否遭遇普遍化的結構困境？他們關於亞洲的想象，又發生了什麼變化？ In Asia, practitioners of the People’s Theater looked to Europe and America to imagine a certain pioneering form. Practitioners in the Third World quickly noticed the importance of ideological resources and local traditions that are more relevant to their situation. Looking back at the meaning of Inter-Asian solidarity, People’s Theater has its own geographical orientation, as well as its ideological commonality. Practitioners of People’s Theater envisioned a united front built upon the weakest link, using the Third World as a weapon. People’s Theater developed through battling difficulties and established networks for cross-region exchanges through understanding and mutual support. In this section we will discuss: What are the potentials, factors and situations that have contributed to the establishment of the Inter-Asian People’s Theater network? In face of turbulent political changes in various regions, what kind of shared structural difficulties have practitioners encountered? How have they changed the way they imagine Asia? 主持 Moderator: 姚立群 YAO Lee Chun(Taiwan) 講者 Speakers: 莫昭如 MOK Chiu Yu (Hong Kong): From People's Theatre to Community Cultural Development Work - Do they subvert? Is it Important? Glecy Atienza (Philippines): PETA's Gold--Gaming the Nation, Changing Asia Richard Barber (Australia): A Transformative Theatre of Dialogue: The Makhampom Theatre Group’s Negotiation of Thailand’s State of Repression Robin Weichert (Germanry) 白大紘 BAEK Dae Hyun / 洪承伊 HONG Seung Yi (South Korea): 戲劇遊樂場Shiim的創立背景與期間活動回應 Commentator: 吳思鋒 WU Si Feng (Taiwan) 王虹凱 WANG Hong Kai (Taiwan) Q&A
17:30-18:30	晚餐 Supper
2018-12-15
9:00-11:30 茶歇 Tea break: 10:30-10:50	重繪亞際民眾劇場歷史圖譜 II ：新馬印的在地實踐與互聯 Re-mapping Inter-Asian Historical Contexts of People’s Theatre II: Trans-local Practice and Exchange in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia 承接著亞際民眾劇場跨地連結的討論，這一節將聚焦東南亞街頭唱著反調的劇團及它們或隱或顯的歷史軌跡：反壓迫的殖民地史，多元交錯的語言和種族，複雜的國族認同和異質的民俗文化⋯⋯以民眾劇場為方法的社群實踐，曾經試探政治抵抗與美學的多重辯證，這樣的嘗試在今天並未消失。這個場次將分享印尼，馬來亞與新加坡的過去和現在，在歷史現場激發民眾劇場可能的未來。 Following the discussion about cross-border networks of Inter-Asian People’s Theater, this section focuses on the Southeast-Asian context and their hidden historical trajectories: the anti-oppression colonial history, diverse and interconnected languages and ethnic groups, complex national identification, and the heterogeneity of folk culture. The community practice of People’s Theater are still prevalent today and continue to experiment with political resistance and aesthetics. In this section, the discussants will share the historical trajectories of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore while thinking about future strategies. 主持 Moderator: 蘇穎欣 SHOW Ying Xin (馬來西亞 Malaysia) 講者 Speakers: 沈國明 SIM Kok Meng (馬來西亞 Malaysia)：技藝救國，聲色救災--戰前馬華劇運的側寫 Muhammad FEBRIANSYAH (馬來西亞 Malaysia/ 印尼/ Indonesia):Transnational Networks, People’s Theatre and Radical Opposition Movements in the New Order Indonesia Dindon W.S, Ratu Selvi AGNESIA (雅加達 Jakarta): Moving History:Representation of Teater Kubur Performances from the New Order to Post-Reformation in Indonesia 回應 Commentator: 郭慶亮 KOK Heng Leun (新加坡 Singapore) 區秀詒 AU Sow Yee (馬來西亞/台灣 Malaysia/Taiwan) Q&A
11:30-13:00	午餐 Lunch Break
13:00-15:00	民眾劇場在中國大陸：勞動與實踐 People’s Theatre in Mainland China: Labour and Practice 本節關注將工人處境作為現實題材與思考對象的民眾劇場實踐。在機器的高速運轉和人的身體之間，民眾劇場如何在工廠內外進行爆破作業？在中國大陸，體制外的小劇場工作者，以工人文化為思考和創作的起點，讓我們更為寬闊地反思民眾劇場逐漸限縮的論述空間和行動空間。 This section focuses on the practice of the People’s Theater that takes the condition of the workers as the subject of dialogue in reflecting the social reality. How does People’s Theater perform blasting operations inside and outside of the factory, between high-speed operation of the machine and the human body? Independent little theater practitioners in Mainland China take labour culture as a starting point for thinking and creating, and this allows us to reflect on the vanishing space of both discourse and action of the People’s Theater. 主持 Moderator 王墨林 WANG Mo Lin (台灣 Taiwan) 講者 Speakers 趙川 ZHAO Chuan (上海 Shanghai)：草台班在北門——從《世界工廠》到工人劇場的五年戲劇實踐王楚禹 WANG Chu Yu (北京 Beijing)：公共空間裡的「觀念襲擊」回應 Commentator 陳信行 CHEN Hsin Hsing (台灣 Taiwan) 郭亮廷 KUO Liang Ting (台灣 Taiwan) 問答 Q&A
15:00-15:20	茶歇 Tea Break
15:20-17:20	走進草根：民眾劇場的主體想像與培力 Towards Grassroots: Imaginary of Subjectivity and Empowerment of People’s Theatre 民眾劇場強調個體的參與和自主，及至組織過程中建構非精英、著重協作溝通的社群連帶。因此，民眾劇場的焦點不單是其美學呈現，也關係到參與者的主體建立過程。無論在創作與演出本身，參與者的培力與成長都被視為具有顚覆意義。這一節，我們將會從民眾劇場的對話主體出發，著重審視實踐者對當下民眾劇場的主體想像，人民在何處？為什麼用民眾劇場的方法？對抗的是什麼？從各人的實踐經驗中，參與者的自主性如何轉化成集體的能量，及至直面具體處境的行動？ People’s Theater emphasizes individual participation and autonomy as to construct a heterogeneous, collaborative communication community in the process of organization. Therefore, the focus of People’s Theater is not only its aesthetic presentation, but also the self-establishment and empowering process of the participants. In this section, we will proceed from the imagination of subjectivities in People’s Theater by focusing on the dialogue among practitioners and participants in the theater of the people by asking the following questions: Where are the People? Why People’s Theater? What are the subjects of resistance? From the practical experience of each individual, how does the autonomy of the participants convert to the agency of social actions in confronting specific situations? 主持 Moderator: 林淑芬 LIN Shu Fen (台灣 Taiwan) 講者 Speakers: 夏曉鵑 HSIA Hsiao Chuan (台灣 Taiwan) ：重返受壓迫者劇場: 培力、組織、動員 Return to the Theater of the Oppressed: Arouse, Organize and Mobilize 李秀珣 LEE Show Shin (台灣 Taiwan)：迴盪在換幕到真實的裂縫中：劇場「相遇－越界」，一條通往解放的航行賴淑雅 LAI Shu Ya (台灣 Taiwan)：回應 Commentator: 李哲宇 LI Je Yu (台灣 Taiwan) 陳克倫 CHEN Ko Lun (台灣 Taiwan) 問答 Q&A