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How distanced from theater have you been during the pandemic?
Written by CHOU Shu-yi Weiwuying Artist-In-Residence
I remember the day that the theater closed because of the Level 3 alert, and we all had no idea when it would re-open. My colleagues at Weiwuying and I started putting away all our stuff and getting ready to leave so that disinfection could take place. Since I didn't know when I'd be back, I packed up a lot of materials that I might need while working from home. I suddenly thought, as a resident artist, what could I bring with me? The most important thing Weiwuying gave me was a place to rehearse, a place for creative development. Unfortunately, I couldn't bring that with me! I'm guessing that's what everyone in the performing arts sector worries about most with Covid-19—the temporary closure of spaces where we maintain our artistic energy.
While working from home, having to train as a dancer in such a small space made me think back on when I used to rent a house. At that time, when I wasn't regularly rehearsing, I usually practiced at home. That's why I've been able to adjust to practicing from home so well. But what about musicians? Can they practice on their own at home? And the difficulty for circus performers goes without saying. At this time when performers have no shows to rehearse for and directors have no performers to work with, some of them have started practicing by themselves, searching for places to do so, like on the roofs and balconies of their homes. A lot of performers and backstage workers are having a tough time. Some have had to start working as food deliveries or learning other skills. When the pandemic is over and they can get back to work, they'll have some extra skills. How we should transform our thinking and make our way forward under such circumstances is perhaps the greatest test this pandemic is giving us!
Despite the outbreak in May, Weiwuying actually became busier because of work related to canceling and postponing programs and figuring out response strategies with artists. Whether to keep live performances or transition to an all-online model is a question that has had to be resolved for each program and its related marketing. Also, with staggered shifts, most tasks had to be completed online. Once when I bumped into General and Artistic Director CHIEN Wen-pin, he laughed and said that conductors weren't waving their batons anymore; instead, they were just waving their fingers all over their phone screens to get their online work done!
As I walked through empty public spaces, I thought about all the interesting moments the performances here have produced over the past three years. There have been aspects that were quite touching and connected to life. The standstill caused people to have no choice but learn how to get used to the new quiet. I started dancing, exploring a space with nobody in it but sunshine, looking forward to when we could begin again and hoping with all my heart that other performers would be able to make it through until that happened.
Besides practicing at home and working online, I prepared for all the programs that were canceled or postponed. Then, after over two months, good news came: Weiwuying was scheduled to re-open! I immediately initiated rehearsals and a tour for The Center. Even though seating was reduced by half and people probably wouldn't be willing to go to public spaces so soon, as long as an arts center and its team are able to start up again, the industry can get going. As for how long it will take to get back to normal, no one knows. All we can do is strive forward. Whether live or online, each is a path that will take us into the unknown. With the pandemic, it seems that we have become distanced from the performing arts, but a lot of artists and workers in the field are thinking about how to close this distance. Finding a way in the face of adversity is a human instinct and preciously significant in the birth of new art.
Shows are back on, so come and explore the distance between life and art!
Learn More:
Weiwuying Artist-In-Residence-CHOU Shu-yi
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