SDG11
"Eternal Vitality": NCKU's Interdisciplinary Musical Showcases Social Responsibility, Preserves Art, and Promotes Sustainability
Following a December 10 performance at Tzu-Chiang Campus, the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) "Theater Practice" course presented its semester-end showcase again on December 26 at the Fenghuang Theater, Kuang-Fu Campus. The event brought together faculty and students for captivating outdoor and indoor performances, creating a heartfelt and memorable show. Centered around the story of Ditougang in Tainan’s Yanshui District, the production reflected deep respect and care for the land, nature, and local culture. Many residents of Ditougang attended the event, praising it as “not just a story, but a creative and moving performance that brought tears to the eyes,” while enthusiastically inviting others to visit their community.
Ying-Cheng Lin, an aerospace engineering student who attended both performances, shared his thoughts: "The environmental theater piece“Eternal Island”performed earlier at Tzu-Chiang Campus was fascinating, offering an engaging participatory experience for the audience. Today’s performance, with themes of mother-daughter bonds and personal dreams, showcased the actors' emotional depth and had a profound impact. Watching the show inspired me to pursue my dreams with greater determination.”
Associate Professor Wei-Chien Ma from NCKU's Graduate Institute of Art Studies emphasized that the project combined field research and cultural exploration with artistic elements like slag art and luminous plants. This innovative approach delved into the deeper significance of sustainability and local heritage. She commended the students for their passion and dedication, noting their tireless efforts to prepare for the performance despite end-of-semester challenges. The production sought to integrate cultural diversity with regional identity, aiming to use art as a tool to inspire awareness and action in environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
The "Theater Practice" course, jointly offered by the Interdisciplinary Drama Program and the Graduate Institute of Art Studies, is supported by the Higher Education and International Advancement Program. It featured collaboration with NCKU’s Instrument center, led by Professor Yen-Hsun Su, to produce the showcase. The overarching theme, "Stories of the Land," was explored through three focal points—past, present, and future—and three theatrical styles: ritual theater, proscenium theater, and environmental theater. This approach presented a synthesis of traditional performing arts, preservation, and sustainability.
The showcase was created and performed by a talented student team, including Ting-Xiang Yang, Chen-Pu Yang, Wan-Ling Wu, Cheng-Yang Yuan , Si-Yu Lu, Ya-Huei You, Hao-Kai Chen, Yu-Jie Lin, Hen-Gni Zhu, Yu-Ting Mao, Xin Hu, Xi-Qian Liu, Yi-Ting Chen, Wen-Wen Chi, Zheng-Dao Liang, Rui-Ren Xiao, Pei-Xuan Zhu, Wei-Huan Cai, Yi-Hong Xie, Yu-Hua Su, and You-Han Wang. The audience included distinguished guests such as Professor Yi-Fang Wu (Director of the Graduate Institute of Art Studies), Professor Fan-Huai Chu, Professor Yen-Hsun Su(Department of Materials Science and Engineering), Associate Professor Yu-Chen Shu(Department of Mathematics), Ditougang community leaders Shuo-Jin Zhang and Jun-Qin Huang, Principal Xiang-Jun Guan of Ditougang Elementary School, and traditional arts coach Ming-Jing Xu, alongside many local residents.
Through this interdisciplinary artistic effort, the students and faculty of NCKU demonstrated how creativity can seamlessly integrate with sustainability, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage and ecological responsibility.
Ying-Cheng Lin, an aerospace engineering student who attended both performances, shared his thoughts: "The environmental theater piece“Eternal Island”performed earlier at Tzu-Chiang Campus was fascinating, offering an engaging participatory experience for the audience. Today’s performance, with themes of mother-daughter bonds and personal dreams, showcased the actors' emotional depth and had a profound impact. Watching the show inspired me to pursue my dreams with greater determination.”
Associate Professor Wei-Chien Ma from NCKU's Graduate Institute of Art Studies emphasized that the project combined field research and cultural exploration with artistic elements like slag art and luminous plants. This innovative approach delved into the deeper significance of sustainability and local heritage. She commended the students for their passion and dedication, noting their tireless efforts to prepare for the performance despite end-of-semester challenges. The production sought to integrate cultural diversity with regional identity, aiming to use art as a tool to inspire awareness and action in environmental conservation and cultural preservation.
The "Theater Practice" course, jointly offered by the Interdisciplinary Drama Program and the Graduate Institute of Art Studies, is supported by the Higher Education and International Advancement Program. It featured collaboration with NCKU’s Instrument center, led by Professor Yen-Hsun Su, to produce the showcase. The overarching theme, "Stories of the Land," was explored through three focal points—past, present, and future—and three theatrical styles: ritual theater, proscenium theater, and environmental theater. This approach presented a synthesis of traditional performing arts, preservation, and sustainability.
The showcase was created and performed by a talented student team, including Ting-Xiang Yang, Chen-Pu Yang, Wan-Ling Wu, Cheng-Yang Yuan , Si-Yu Lu, Ya-Huei You, Hao-Kai Chen, Yu-Jie Lin, Hen-Gni Zhu, Yu-Ting Mao, Xin Hu, Xi-Qian Liu, Yi-Ting Chen, Wen-Wen Chi, Zheng-Dao Liang, Rui-Ren Xiao, Pei-Xuan Zhu, Wei-Huan Cai, Yi-Hong Xie, Yu-Hua Su, and You-Han Wang. The audience included distinguished guests such as Professor Yi-Fang Wu (Director of the Graduate Institute of Art Studies), Professor Fan-Huai Chu, Professor Yen-Hsun Su(Department of Materials Science and Engineering), Associate Professor Yu-Chen Shu(Department of Mathematics), Ditougang community leaders Shuo-Jin Zhang and Jun-Qin Huang, Principal Xiang-Jun Guan of Ditougang Elementary School, and traditional arts coach Ming-Jing Xu, alongside many local residents.
Through this interdisciplinary artistic effort, the students and faculty of NCKU demonstrated how creativity can seamlessly integrate with sustainability, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage and ecological responsibility.
The final performance of National Cheng Kung University's "Theater Practice" course, "Eternal Vitality," returns this morning, December 26.
This interdisciplinary collaborative performance, combining music and dance, is set against the backdrop of Ditougang in Tainan's Yanshui District. The local residents of Ditougang were moved to tears after watching the performance.
NCKU's "Theater Practice" course showcases sustainability concepts through interdisciplinary art. The performance was collaboratively planned and created by student teams from the class.
A NCKU student who attended both performances shared that they were deeply inspired by the story of the characters pursuing their dreams.
The performance covered themes such as the bond between mother and daughter and the pursuit of personal dreams. The actors' emotionally rich interpretations brought a powerful sense of resonance to the audience.
