This summer, I’ve immersed myself in a tide of art, allowing a variety of performances, conversations, and creative sparks to open up new horizons. In July, I was like a greedy traveler, constantly absorbing nutrients from theaters, rehearsal halls, and dance studios. This journey was a tapestry woven with the sweat of rehearsals, the excitement of performance experiments, and the thrill of connecting with transgender artists from around the world.
And September will be the culmination of all this. Stay tuned to the very end for a major announcement!
July: A Journey of Artistic Exploration
July 13th｜National Taichung Theater｜The Play That Goes Wrong
As a novice theater director, my biggest fear is something going wrong on stage. Forgetting lines, props failing, lighting cues missed… any misstep could lead to utter embarrassment. So, when I heard about a play that turns every conceivable mistake into a hilarious, meticulously crafted gag, I didn’t hesitate to head to the National Taichung Theater.
This play was incredibly cathartic! The actors performed with deadpan seriousness while everything fell apart around them—from misplaced lights and wrong props to malfunctioning set pieces. Each “mistake” landed perfectly, making the audience roar with laughter. The show gave me a powerful takeaway: no matter what happens on stage, just keep going!
July 20th｜Taipei Thinkers’ Theater｜Da Qiu Theater Company –Love Stories Before Dawn (Staged Reading)
At a special event hosted by our friends at Thinkers’ Theater, I listened to the Da Qiu Theater Company share how they conceived and developed their script. Watching one of the lead actresses perform a scene, I suddenly saw a clearer path for my own work. I found a way—a clear route to share my creative vision with the world.
Immediately, I approached the theater manager to discuss including my own work in their staged reading program. I am so grateful to Thinkers’ Theater for their friendly support of new artists; they agreed on the spot, and we began planning right away.
July 21st｜Taoyuan Arts Center｜Moon Sea Book Rehearsal Observation
During a Taoyuan Iron Rose Art Festival workshop, I observed a rehearsal of Moon Sea Book, a piece by artists Chou Ling-chih, Huang Da-wang, and Cinnabar. I was there simply to watch, but as fate would have it, while brainstorming set designs for my own play, I found an ingenious and cost-effective solution. As for what that secret is, you’ll have to come to the theater to find out!
July 27th｜National Theater and Concert Hall｜Life of Pi
Life’s arrangements can be full of surprises. I had long wanted to see the stage adaptation of Life of Pi but couldn’t afford a ticket. Days before the show, my workplace received a donation of tickets from an arts events company. Within one minute of the email arriving, I was at my computer claiming a seat. On the night of the show, I was astonished to find my seat was in the seventh row—a perfect vantage point to take in every detail!
This famous story is even more powerful on stage. As a theater artist, I noticed more than the average viewer. While others were immersed in the plot, my mind was busy deconstructing the sound and light effects, the ingenious set design, the smooth transitions, and the incredible use of projection technology. This world-class production left me in awe. And naturally, I brought some of those elements home with me, where they will become fuel for my own future creations.
July 29th｜National Theater and Concert Hall｜Inclusive Arts Dialogue
I attended a lecture at the National Theater and Concert Hall where three artists—Chang Ko-yang, Hsu Ying-chi, and Wang Heng—discussed inclusive arts. They shared how they collaborate with blind and autistic individuals to create art. Inspired, I spoke with two of the artists and successfully invited them to join my future projects, which they graciously accepted.
July 28th-August 1st｜Cloud Gate Dance School｜Summer Dance Intensive
I took on the challenge of Cloud Gate Dance School’s “Summer Dance Intensive”—five consecutive days, two hours each day, culminating in learning a short piece of choreography. My modern dance experience is less extensive than the other students’, so I struggled to keep up. Though there were moments of frustration, I found a way to have an internal dialogue with my struggles. If time and budget allow, I would happily return to the studio to challenge myself again.
Cloud Gate has this unique magic; it consistently attracts people to “self-torture” and learn, pushing them to master new movements, choreography, and experiences. In the process, you discover new things about yourself, not just in your abilities but in your failures. Thanks to these five days of intense practice, I learned so much more.
August 3rd-4th｜Weiyuan Hushan｜Chang Ko-yang Dance Company
I attended an event with the Chang Ko-yang Dance Company, spending two days getting to know the work of this dancer and his team. The first day was a retrospective of their decade of work, and the second was a “Day as a Dancer” workshop. The event strengthened my relationship with the team and allowed me to connect with even more artists.
A Look Ahead to September: My Artistic Universe Is Expanding
The seeds of July are blossoming, and my artistic projects are about to launch in full force this September!
OOPS! Theater Troupe
In July, our theater troupe began rehearsals for the play The Nameless Place. Despite some cast members being unable to join us, we have continued to refine our craft. Encouraged by my fellow artists, the Unveiled Theater Troupe will hold a staged reading of a portion of The Nameless Place at Thinkers’ Theater on September 14th. This will be the very first public appearance of this work!
The Transgender Museum
The Transgender Museum will host a one-day-only preview exhibition at Taipei Expo Park on September 13th. We will be showcasing works by collaborating artists and giving everyone a glimpse of what the future museum will look like. We have already received submissions from artists both domestically and internationally. This is a good and important start.
DJ Events
On September 5th, I will once again be collaborating with Taboo Nightclub to host a Transgender & Lesbian Party, creating a safe and inclusive space for the community to come together and have fun.
From theater productions and art exhibitions to music events, the upcoming days are going to be busy and thrilling. I’m ready to pour all my passion and energy into these projects and share them with you all.
A Special Gift for Patreon Supporters
Thank you to all my Patreon supporters for your continued belief in me. Your support is my greatest motivation. Last week, while traveling to Qixingtan Beach in Hualien, I created an improvised 12-minute modern dance piece using the natural landscape as my stage. Though there is still room for improvement, I wanted to share it exclusively with my paying subscribers first. If you are a paid member, please use the link below to watch.
Memories, Touching with the Sea
(Video, 12min)
2025.08.10
Hualien
