Overseas Training / Research Programme for Leaders from Local Arts Groups on Future Arts Development in Hong Kong – Sharing Session III　 Five Local Arts Practitioners Sharing Their Insights

Co-organised by West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) and Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), the “Overseas Training / Research Programme for Leaders from Local Arts Groups on Future Arts Development in Hong Kong” supports five local arts practitioners to conduct a research programme with overseas arts organisations, arts festivals and arts centres that could be conducive to strategic planning, audience building and the overall arts development in Hong Kong.

Five participants are the leaders in local arts scene, including Mr Sean Curran, Artistic Director of Theatre du Pif; Ms Lai Yan-chi, Mo, President of FM Theatre Power; Mr Lam Ying-kit, Even, Artistic Director of Jumbo Kids Theatre; Mr Leung Tsz-ki, Marble, Head of Programme and Education of Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Mr Yeung Chun-kong, Daniel, renowned dance artist. The programme aims to support five arts practitioners to obtain practical skills and knowledge from their overseas counterparts and at the same time, to broaden their international network. Insights and experience gained by the participants will be served as reference for the development of Hong Kong art scene and WKCD.

The scheme was launched into two phases. The first phase of the scheme was completed by the five participants already and two sharing sessions were held to share with the arts practitioners and the public about their insights gained in the trips. In consideration of the successfulness of the first phase of the scheme, and the invaluable observations significant to the development of the local art scene, HKADC and WKCDA launched the scheme again to support the five arts participants to conduct the second phase of visit with an aim to explore a more in-depth analysis for local arts development.

The five arts practitioners conducted the second phase of overseas visits according to their specialisations and research topics. Sean Curran visited celebrated theatres in France, Britain and Ireland to study how theatres produce quality programmes and provide rooms for the artists to explore their creativity. Mo Lai took reference from policies relating to street performances and observed the practice of operations and coordination of outdoor arts activities in Britain. Even Lam visited theatres for children in Czech Republic to deepen the understanding of the creations and operations of local theatres for children. Marble Leung visited Japan and Korea to study the latest development of theatre practice. Daniel Yeung attended small-to-medium-sized festivals in Japan and exchanged ideas with arts practitioners from different arts festivals. The five participants will share with the arts practitioners and the public about their second phase of visit in this sharing session.

Details of the Sharing Session are as follows:

Simultaneous interpretation in English and Cantonese will be available. Free admission. First-come-first-served basis. For enquiries and registration, please visit www.hkadc.org.hk or contact Ms Zoe Wong of HKADC at 2820 1094.

About the speakers

Sean Curran
Having been known for his perseverance and devotion in the drama scene in Hong Kong, Sean Curran, Artistic Director of theatre du pif, produced numerous impressive Chinese and English dramas in the local market throughout all these years. In the second phase, he visited Theatre du Soleil in France, National Theatre Studio in Britain, Abbey Theatre Studio and Galway International Festival in Ireland. He interviewed the local artists and arts administrators to study how theatres produce quality programmes and provide rooms for the artists to explore their creativity.

Lai Yan-chi, Mo
The versatile and awards winning movie/theatre practitioner cum the President of the local theatre company FM Theatre Power, Mo Lai has been developing her artistic capacity in various fields in the past years. Having experience of organising and practicing outdoor performance for over a decade, she still looks for resolution for further development of outdoor performance in Hong Kong context. Mo Lai took reference from policies relating to street performances and outdoor activities in Britain. She visited different public areas, the Southbank Centre where various outdoor activities were held, and other arts festivals and activities to observe how local citizens, artists and arts venues are connected.

Lam Ying-kit, Even
Even Lam graduated from the Drama School of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 1991. He set up Jumbo Kids Theatre in 1999 and is currently the Artistic Director and Company Manager of the company. Works he directed include Death Trap, Ten Brothers, Journey to The West and Trouble Family. He is undergoing his master degree in Directing at HKAPA at present. Even Lam visited several theatres for children in Czech Republic such as National Marionette Theatre, TA FANTASTIKA Theatre, The Image Theatre. He also travelled to the U.S. to visit Mr Larry Hunt’s mask production studio and attended the 7-day mask production workshop.

Leung Tsz-ki, Marble
Marble Leung, Head of Programme and Education of Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, has developed his career in theatre for over 20 years, and has comprehensive understanding on the operation of local theatre industry. In order to study the latest development of theatres in Japan and Korea in the second phase of the programme, Marble Leung conducted research in Honda Geki, Seinendan, Bungakuza in Toyko, National Theatre Company of Korea, theatres at Daehangno and other commercial theatres in Seoul. His observations and analysis will be important reference for local theatre practice.

Yeung Chun-kong, Daniel
Daniel Yeung graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong with a major in Fine Arts. He is a self-taught dancer and had been awarded scholarships for studying choreography in the Netherlands and the UK. Daniel received Award for Best Artist (Dance) of Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2012. His works were named Top Five Best Dance Works of the Year twice by South China Morning Post. With his solo productions, Daniel has won four times in the Hong Kong Dance Award for his choreographies and performances in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2012, and with his large-scale curated and choreographed dance projects, he also won twice the Hong Kong Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Youth and Community Dance. This time Daniel Yeung attended small-to-medium-sized festivals in Korea and Japan including Dance for New Asia Festival, Fukuoka Dance Fringe Festival, Beppu Mixedbathingworld Festival and Hokkaido Contemporary Dance Exhibition etc. He also exchanged ideas with arts practitioners from different arts festivals.