Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 2025 - 43

and saw how theatre played a cultural
and political transformational role.
Responding to a question on " how
to learn about theatre design " from the
audience, Wang said to theatre professionals,
" Theatre design is always a
challenge no matter what era we are in
because your audience keeps changing.
Sustainability is not an individual theatre
worker's problem. Once something
is built, you don't have to rebuild it. Keep
the stock. Pass down the props. Be wellconnected
to friends and learn to share
and borrow. Theatre design is about story
telling, and young designers need to
not be about themselves. " Aby answered
from an audience's perspective, " Try to
look where they do not want you to look.
The space is the first element when we
develop the performance. " Both emphasized
the importance of resourcefulness,
creativity, and eco-consciousness in theatre
design.
" Sonic Voyages: The Importance
of Sound Design "
Here, Bradlee Ward (USA), highlighted
that sound design is important by not
only creating the experience of theatre
but also bringing the world together,
quoting Jo Mielziner, " If people can't hear,
they can't see. " Ward also made the point
that " Theatre takes people to new places.
Theatre gives people something they
don't have when they walk in the door. "
Be it a fixed or flexible space, there are
always limits and sacrifices for the play,
and that is also where sustainability
comes in.
Ward discussed the importance of designing
spaces that minimize resource
waste and the overlooked impact of
audience travel on sustainability. He
encouraged the industry to broaden its
perspective on sustainability by considering
all elements, from sound to transportation.
It was through this insight that
Ward brought to the audience an important
and often overlooked challenge with
sustainability.
" Embedding Eco-Creativity into
Australian Performance Design "
Tessa Rixon (Australia) advocated for
moving beyond linear thinking in sustainable
design to adopt a circular approach,
focusing on co-creation, celebration, and
circulation, which is part of the work
of Tanja Beer, a leading proponent of
Celebrating the partnership extension. From
Left: OISTAT Executive Director Wan-Jung Wei,
OISTAT President Aby Cohen, Deputy Minister of
Culture Taiwan Lí Tsīng-huī, and Artistic Director
of Weiwuying Wen-Pin Chien. | Courtesy of OISTAT.
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) Taiwan and OISTAT
Celebrate Partnership Extension through 2030
On Aug. 23, 2024, the Ministry of Culture Taiwan (MOC) and OISTAT (International
Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians) signed an agreement
at National Kaohsiung Center for the Art (Weiwuying) to extend their partnership,
ensuring the OISTAT headquarters will remain in Taiwan until 2030. Deputy Minister of
Culture Taiwan Lí Tsīng-huī (李靜慧), OISTAT President Aby Cohen, OISTAT Executive
Director Wan-Jung Wei (魏琬容), and Artistic Director of Weiwuying Wen-Pin Chien (簡
文彬) attended the signing ceremony to celebrate the continued partnership between
Taiwan and International Theatre Community.
This extension marks the third renewal of the partnership since OISTAT relocated
its headquarters to Taiwan in 2006. The continued collaboration will help further
Taiwan's role as a vital connection for international theatre exchange and cultural
dialog. Deputy Minister Lí Tsīng-huī stated, " OISTAT is the only international arts organization
headquartered in Taiwan, providing a unique platform for cultural exchange.
We look forward to furthering our global connections through this partnership and
creating a resilient global theatre network for the next generation. "
OISTAT President Aby Cohen said, " Taiwan's freedom and openness toward arts
and culture aligns perfectly with OISTAT's mission and values. We are excited to expand
the global theatre community from OISTAT's base in Taiwan. "
OISTAT, founded in 1968 by seven countries, Canada, Czechoslovakia, the Federal
Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Israel, and
the United States, is a global network for theatre practitioners celebrating design,
technology, and architecture in live performances. The organization has grown to
include members from more than 50 countries, continually expanding its influence
and fostering international collaboration.
The signing ceremony was attended by professionals from the Taiwanese theatre
and arts community. Deputy Minister Lí Tsīng-huī called for the cooperation
from government, arts venues, professionals, and all kinds of art organizations to
build a stable theatre network with OISTAT that can enhance Taiwanese cultural
impact globally.
USITT is the home for OISTAT (International Organization of Scenographers,
Theatre Architects and Technicians) in the United States, and all USITT members
are OISTAT members and welcome to participate.
ISSUE 4, 2024 | THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | 43

Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 2025

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