12 May 2014
On 10 May 2014, co-organized by the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) and National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts and participated by over 20 theatre schools from those countries and regions including China, Korea, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Iran, Mongolia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Taipei and Hong Kong, the 7th Theatre School Directors’ Conference and Theatre Festival of UNESCO International Theatre Institute (ITI) Asia-Pacific Bureau was opened successfully at STA’s Duanjun Theatre. Prof Han Sheng, President of STA, Mr Tobias Biancone, Director-General of ITI and Prof Janys Hayes of Theatre Department, University of Wollongong, Australia gave the speeches in succession. The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof Gong Baorong, Vice President of STA.
After the opening ceremony, the experimental Peking opera “Back to Life” adapted and created by STA made a wonderful show as the opening performance. A series of activities and events will follow, including the theatre school directors’ conference, theatre festival, workshops and academic exchange, which are the four major components of the entire program. The academic exchange activities will be held at STA from today through to 15 May and at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing from 15 to 17 May.
Nowadays, the importance of the theatre education in Asia-Pacific countries has become increasingly prominent, with more performing and practicing activities organized by the theatre schools as well as more frequent and closer interscholastic exchange activities among them. The programs run by the ITI Asia-Pacific Bureau are timely and provide its member schools a broad platform for demonstration and sharing, thus benefiting the teachers and students in broadening their artistic vision continuously, experimenting diversified artistic practices and teaching techniques, and enriching the achievements in theatre education. In this regard, STA, where the ITI Asia-Pacific Bureau is located, will continue to work as an important linkage among all theatre schools in the Asia-Pacific region and promote the interaction and exchange among the different regional cultures.
Photo: STA President Han Sheng gives a speech
Photo: ITI Director General Tobias Biancone gives a speech
Photo: University of Wollongong Professor Janys Hayes gives a speech
Photo: STA Vice President Gong Baorong chairs the opening ceremony
Photo: Stage photo of “Back to Life”
Photo: Stage photo of “Back to Life”
