Community Theatre

Through a cultural drama program, Captain Kuo guided us to create a community theatre performance. To truly understand the idea of "starting from the local community and telling stories for the community," we worked in groups and explored the area around our school. We visited well-known local shops, went to nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, and interviewed the community director to collect the community's memories and voices.

During the interview, the director shared stories from more than twenty years ago, when our school was first established. We realized that the school was not built overnight. It was the result of long-term planning by former principals and support from many people in the community. Because of this teamwork, today's campus and surrounding area have become so convenient and well-developed. More importantly, the school also brought real changes to the community. As the school worked hard and gained a good reputation, more houses and new buildings appeared nearby. The neighborhood became more prosperous, and housing prices kept rising.

From the photographs, we could see that the school in its early days was built and improved through the united efforts of many people in the community.
From the photographs, we could see that the school in its early days was built and improved through the united efforts of many people in the community.
Under the guidance of the professional director from Pingpengcao Theatre, we transformed these community stories into a performable script through collective creation.
Under the guidance of the professional director from Pingpengcao Theatre, we transformed these community stories into a performable script through collective creation.
At the beginning, Troupe Leader Kuozi first explained to us the ideas behind community theater and the way its performances are created.
At the beginning, Troupe Leader Kuozi first explained to us the ideas behind community theater and the way its performances are created.
The community director came to our school and talked with us face to face. She not only had a deep understanding of the school's early development, but also answered all of our questions patiently.
The community director came to our school and talked with us face to face. She not only had a deep understanding of the school's early development, but also answered all of our questions patiently.
From the photographs, we could see that the school in its early days was built and improved through the united efforts of many people in the community.
From the photographs, we could see that the school in its early days was built and improved through the united efforts of many people in the community.
Under the guidance of the professional director from Pingpengcao Theatre, we transformed these community stories into a performable script through collective creation.
Under the guidance of the professional director from Pingpengcao Theatre, we transformed these community stories into a performable script through collective creation.

After learning all this, we decided to turn the school's founding story into a short play so that more students could understand this history. However, it was not easy for us. First, we had only limited experience with drama, mostly from a few performing arts classes and the troupe's visits, so we worried that our performance might not be clear enough for others to follow. Second, we did not have much time or budget, so we could not build large sets or prepare fancy props. Captain Kuo encouraged us by saying that community theatre does not depend on a glamorous stage. What matters most is a clear story, real emotions, and a smart use of performance elements. Her words gave us confidence and a clearer direction.

Next, we divided the work. One group wrote the script, while the other designed a "simple but imaginative" stage using easy materials we already had, such as blocks and small toys. As everyone stepped into their roles and added ideas, the script gradually took shape. The creative stage made with small objects also made the story more visual and fun. After we finished the first draft, we began rehearsing.

With the help of simple props, the scenes from those past stories came vividly to life on paper.
With the help of simple props, the scenes from those past stories came vividly to life on paper.
From scriptwriting to bringing the scenes to life on stage, everything was completed under Director Kuozi's guidance as if by magic.
From scriptwriting to bringing the scenes to life on stage, everything was completed under Director Kuozi's guidance as if by magic.
Troupe Leader Kuozi also guided us in using simple, everyday materials to create theatrical scenes of different corners of our campus.
Troupe Leader Kuozi also guided us in using simple, everyday materials to create theatrical scenes of different corners of our campus.
Only then did we realize that theater is not just about acting—there are many other interesting parts as well.
Only then did we realize that theater is not just about acting—there are many other interesting parts as well.
With the help of simple props, the scenes from those past stories came vividly to life on paper.
With the help of simple props, the scenes from those past stories came vividly to life on paper.
From scriptwriting to bringing the scenes to life on stage, everything was completed under Director Kuozi's guidance as if by magic.
From scriptwriting to bringing the scenes to life on stage, everything was completed under Director Kuozi's guidance as if by magic.

Since we planned a 15-minute flash performance on campus, we wanted all students to watch comfortably. We also had to consider the limits of the school's speakers and sound system. Everything needed to be as simple as possible, but still exciting and dramatic. At the beginning of rehearsal, we read the script to understand each scene and line. Under the director's guidance, we spent several classes turning important school locations into body movements and stage positions. Through teamwork, we learned how to "act out" the space, the characters, and the emotions.

On the day of the performance, we stood ready beside the stage and waited for the class bell to ring. Because we went on stage as a team, we felt less nervous. After the show, our classmates' feedback surprised us and made us fall in love with the feeling of being on stage.

This community theatre project was more than just a drama class. It was like a bridge connecting the school and the community, the past and the present. Through theatre, we helped others see how our school began and understand how the community and the school have supported each other. Looking back in this way was meaningful—and also truly enjoyable.

Through repeated practice and everyone's teamwork, we were able to tell the community's stories in a more vivid way.
Through repeated practice and everyone's teamwork, we were able to tell the community's stories in a more vivid way.
When the community theater performance officially went on stage, the venue was filled with an audience from all around, and we felt a great sense of achievement.
When the community theater performance officially went on stage, the venue was filled with an audience from all around, and we felt a great sense of achievement.
With the director's guidance, different school settings could be presented in flexible ways on what had once been an empty stage.
With the director's guidance, different school settings could be presented in flexible ways on what had once been an empty stage.
By experiencing and understanding the story, memorizing the script became much easier for us, even though none of us had any acting experience.
By experiencing and understanding the story, memorizing the script became much easier for us, even though none of us had any acting experience.
Through repeated practice and everyone's teamwork, we were able to tell the community's stories in a more vivid way.
Through repeated practice and everyone's teamwork, we were able to tell the community's stories in a more vivid way.
When the community theater performance officially went on stage, the venue was filled with an audience from all around, and we felt a great sense of achievement.
When the community theater performance officially went on stage, the venue was filled with an audience from all around, and we felt a great sense of achievement.
Cultural Experience
Classroom Outreach