The Opening Ceremony for ATEC Thematic Research on Asian Theatre Education, organized by ATEC and hosted by the Central Academy of Drama, was held online on Jun. 21, 2023.
Attendees include representatives of ATEC member schools, and supervisors and students of the research groups. Director General Hao Rong of ATEC and Director General Tobias Biancone of International Theatre Institute (ITI) delivered speeches at the Opening Ceremony, which was chaired by Director Ju Ping of the General Affairs Department of ATEC.
In his speech, Prof. Hao extended the warmest greetings to all attendees from home and abroad. He believed that applied theatre, as an art form that combines acting with social practice, plays an important role in the growth of teenagers, the physiological treatment among other aspects. Through this event, the participants went into the application and development of theatre art in different countries and cultures, which is conducive to the understanding of the diversity of Asian theatres.
Prof. Hao Rong Delivering a Speech
Then Mr. Tobias Biancone affirmed the important relevance of the topic of applied theatre in his address, pointing out the growing interest of the international community in applied theatre. He continued to refer it as an art that "integrates performers and audience, stimulates the creativity out of participants and is constantly used for the development of individuals, communities and society as a whole", that it "improves the lives of the involved and gives everyone the access to the theatre arts."
Director General Tobias Biancone of International Theatre Institute
In the second part of the Ceremony, students of the research groups and their supervisors gave brief introduction to their researches. They came from ATEC member schools from China, Japan, ROK, Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia, etc.
Representatives of ATEC Member Schools and Research Groups
Ever since its establishment in 2005, ATEC has been working to enhance communication on theatre education, both for theory and for practice, between different countries and areas in Asia. To this end, it organizes such activities as theatre festivals and conferences for students and faculty members every two years. This year it's a student-oriented research prgramme themed as 'Applied Theatre in Our Country: the Status Quo and Effects', aiming to encourage students to delve into the practical meaning of applied theatre, and public interest in drama. 10 research groups from 9 member schools presented their hard-earned results, after doing field work, questionnaire-based survey, interviews, etc.
All the video presentations were shared on ATEC website as soon as the Opening Ceremony ended. The research groups also submitted their final papers, which will be edited and published under the title of 'Researches on Asian Theatre Education: the Status Quo and Publicity of Applied Theatre' next year, as part of ATEC's contribution to the development of applied theatre in Asia.
The 10 video presentations are:
1. Applied Theatre in China: for the Nation, the Society and Individuals—The Central Academy of Drama, China
2. The Application of the Function of Drama in Chinese Parent-Child Relationship—The Central Academy of Drama, China
3. Applied Theatre in Japan-Role and Issues in Education and Welfare Scene—Nihon University, Japan
4. Researches on Korean Theatre Education: the Status Quo and Publicity of Applied Theatre—Chung-Ang University, ROK
5. Education of Applied Theatre in Singapore—Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
6. Provision of Public Cultural Service of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing Cultural Sites—National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, China
7. Teaching Practice and Research of Applied Drama—Shanghai Theatre Academy, China
8. General Situation of Actor Training at Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema in Particular and Art Schools in Vietnam in General—Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, Vietnam
9. Theatre is Inclusive: Hands in Hands for All Ages—Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, Japan
10. History, Practice and Place of Applied Theatre in Singapore—LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore