Creative Ageing X Performing Art Forum

Good Morning! It had been a busy weekend, I participated in “Creative Ageing X Performing Art Forum” organized by National Theater and Concert Hall (NTCH), featuring three main themes: Drama, Dance and Voice, from January 12th till 14th. I enjoyed very much listening to the expert from London as well as meeting up with people from all walks of life over the weekend. And I look forward to the Forum this afternoon, from 13:00 till 17:00, January 14th!

In January 2019, the NTCH collaborates with the British Council and the national Culture and Arts Foundation to invite British instructors who have rich and diversified experiences in working with older adults to present three-day workshops with performing arts for older adults as the main themes. The activities include experiencing workshop for general older adults and for professional practitioners, professional workshop for practitioners to engage in in-depth exchanges and discussions, and a forum for all to share their experiences.

One week before the forum, I saw the advertisement in Performing Arts Review at Taipei City Library Jin-Xin Branch. Immediately I jumped upon the opportunity, but I was turned down due to the limited seats. Luckily, someone couldn’t make it at the last minute, I was given the chance to join the Drama group as a professional, having been working at Wen-shen Senior Citizens Learning Center for the past two years as a volunteer instructor for Japanese language and clogging dance.

Day 1 Workshop for General Public, January 12th, Saturday morning, from 9:30 till 12:30, “From Fact to Fiction” instructed by David Slater. It was a workshop of 26 participants (10 professionals and 16 general adults), exploring how our experiences, memories and pre-occupations can be transformed into material for theater performance. The workshop used a variety of techniques and approaches to uncover and share stories. As medical science is supporting us to live longer, the additional years bring new opportunities but also new challenges. How are these stories told, who gets to tell them and who is invited to listen? The same workshop was held in the afternoon for the other half of the Drama group.

Day 2 Workshop for Professional Practitioners, January 13th, Sunday, from 10:00 till 16:00, “Why Theater?” instructed by David Slater. It was a workshop of 20 participants (10 professionals from Saturday morning and 10 professionals from Saturday afternoon group). We started by self introduction to get to know one another. Then we learned how theater and performance work can contribute to a reimagining of the cultural and social life of our communities, anticipating the rapid approach of the super ageing society. And we reflected upon the role of the artist and how theater can work alongside other disciplines, social care and health practices, without compromising the integrity of it own work The day comprised of Practical sessions exploring ways of developing theater work with older people from marginalized and isolated groups; Exploration of strategic opportunities created when the theater-maker develops work in partnership with professionals and lay people from other disciplines and sectors; Sharing existing models of effective practice!

PS: Day 3 Forum, January 14th, Monday, from 13:00 till 17:00. It was a full house at the Experiment Theater, featuring three speakers from London, and three from Taiwan.

David Slater, Collaboration, Theater and the Super-Ageing Society.
"I thought I'd finished with life but this is waking me up again. It makes you feel you're not dead. You're not worthless. You can do something and still be a part of the world," Nelly Andoh
A brief refection on the transformative effect of theater for isolated and marginalized older people.

Lo Chia-Yu, Older Adults and Drama
(1) the idea and goal of designing a workshop for older adults to play; and (2) various questions about the theater for older adults.

Susanna Howard, Let's Talk
Living Words (http://livingwords.org.uk/) artists work with people with dementias, families, care home staff and communities. Who might do more of the work in Taiwan?

Wei Shih-fen, May a Flower Grow from the Voices
The older adults know how to relax their necks and shoulders, exercise their vocal cords, speak with strength and with deep breath, to let the inner emotions flow and oepn up minds and bodies.

Elaine Foley, Company of Elders:Pioneering Dance for Older Adults in the UK
Sadler's Wells (https://www.sadlerswells.com/) embraces and encourages lifelong creativity by providing a full programme of dance activity for anyone over the age of 60.

Lin Yi-fen, Dancing with Older Adults:Sharing my Experiences
The experience to instruct older adults how to dance and rehearse!

During the tea break, I had a chance to compliment Susanna Howard's Living Words. I was touched by their patient work with dementia people on the one-by-one basis and a complied personal story of each senile citizen. Over tea and desserts, as much as I enjoyed conversing with speakers, I also cherished a lot the precious moments with participants of the Drama Group for their hands-on experiences! It was a marvelous and successful gathering for performing arts lovers indeed!