TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The FormosArt 2.0 program, announced by Taiwan’s National Theater & Concert Hall (NTCH) on Wednesday (Oct. 9), aims to explore “super-aged society” challenges artistically.
A continuation of FormosArt, the program aims to address dementia issues and various aspects of long-term care through international co-productions. It will enhance local performing arts capacities and raise awareness about dementia in Taiwan and Japan.
By 2025, Taiwan will become a “super-aged society,” the National Development Council predicted. This means that over 20% of the population will be 65 or older, per Asus Pressroom.
Over the past nine years, the FormosArt program has staged 45 performances in 15 cities and counties, attracting over 70,000 people. The program seeks to work with local authorities and performing arts teams to create performances that address the needs and concerns of older adults.
The program also aims to connect art with local communities. “According to our 98-year-old actor Tadao Okada, long-term care and performances can be connected. Ordinary people can become actors, and our life can be a performance,” Sugawara Naoki, founder of the OiBokkeShi theater group, said.
Field research was conducted in various regions of Taiwan, including Pingtung, Chiayi, Nantou, and Taipei, to gather insights from public and private daytime senior care centers. By engaging with physicians, performers, scholars, and seniors, the team aims to create a theater work that reflects the experiences and challenges these communities face.
The FormosArt 2.0 program will last three years. In the first year, the program will focus on field studies, co-creation, and partner recruitment.
Rehearsals and premieres will be held in 2025. In the third year, the program will continue with local tours.
Four FormosArt 2.0 aspects
1. Taiwanese version of “Wandering Night Never Gets Darker” theater
The play revolves around a young man accompanying his older neighbor on a journey to find his wife, who has dementia. Adapted from a Japanese script, audiences will follow the performers through the streets, and passersby may become part of the performance.
As wandering is a common symptom of dementia, the boundary between reality and theater becomes blurred. This experience invites the audience to reflect on their relationships with communities and people living with dementia.
2. Collaboration workshop
Sugawara will offer training and guidance to performing arts groups interested in creating similar productions. The team will provide information about the production process, including the number of performers needed, suitable venues, and necessary equipment.
3. Love letters to self
A writing platform, Matters, will call for textual or audio submissions revolving around the theme “love letters to self.” It aims to bridge the gap between offline events and online content.
4. Documentary
Taiwanese director Hou Chi-jan (侯季然) will join FormosArt 2.0 this year to document the program. Hou will capture how performing teams and local communities collaborate and develop to help future adaptations.
