Following intense competition, eight distinguished performing arts groups have been selected for the "Taichung Outstanding Performing Arts Groups Selection and Award Project" for the year 2025. A certification ceremony was held on May 26 at The Lin Hotel. Chen Chia-Chun,director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung attended the ceremony on behalf of Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen to express appreciation and recognition for the achievements of the award-winning groups. She also extended gratitude to all participating teams for their joint efforts with the city government. These efforts have earned Taichung the Ministry of Culture’s highest “Excellence” evaluation rating for three consecutive years, demonstrating the city’s vibrant performing arts scene. Director Chen also expressed her hope that the selected teams will continue to grow and thrive, helping to further showcase the beauty of Taichung’s performing arts to both the people of Taiwan and international audiences.

Director Chen Chia-Chun noted that Taichung City is home to over 750 performing arts groups. The city government has been dedicated to supporting these groups through a wide range of initiatives, including subsidies, mentorship programs, and promotional efforts. Among these, the Outstanding Performing Arts Groups Selection and Award Project, now in its 28th year, recognizes top-tier groups in music, drama, and dance whose performances span both domestic and international stages. Thanks to years of dedicated support and guidance, this year marks a new milestone, with a record five groups from Taichung being selected for the National Culture and Arts Foundation’s “Taiwan Top” program. The city government looks forward to seeing even more outstanding Taichung-based groups selected in similar national programs in the future.

This year’s selected outstanding performing arts groups are all highly accomplished and distinctive, with a notable emergence of new talents that reflect the city’s vibrant and ever-growing creative energy. In the music category, Uni Percussion stands out for its exploration of percussion and sound experiments, drawing inspiration from everyday auditory experiences. Their performance piece the Temple of Resonance, presented as part of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s 2024 “Art Go Go” initiative, was nominated for the prestigious Taishin Arts Award and was also invited to perform earlier this year at the Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore. Meanwhile, 20% Experimental Theatre Group, known for integrating theatrical performance into everyday spaces, has long been rooted in Taichung’s Central District. Through field research and collaborations with local cultural-historical organizations and businesses, the group creates “wandering theatre” experiences that guide audiences through neighborhood streets, allowing them to rediscover and reflect upon the past memories of the city.

Shinyiang Taiwanese Opera Troupe, with a history spanning over 40 years, has continually refined the art of Taiwanese opera. Transitioning from traditional outdoor stages to theater venues, the troupe has masterfully integrated classical opera repertoire, supernatural tales, and the traditional jiajiang cultural elements into their performances. Similarly, Taichung Sheng-Wu-Chou Puppet Troupe, founded over 60 years ago, remains committed to preserving the essence of traditional budaixi (glove puppetry) while also incorporating new themes and modern technology. The troupe has captivated younger audiences, particularly through its popular Jinguang style productions.

Taiwan Yangqin Orchestra is the first yangqin (hammered dulcimer) ensemble in Asia. The group has long collaborated with composers to create new works, amassing a repertoire of over 400 original pieces. Through yangqin ensemble performances, the group has cultivated a uniquely Taiwanese musical character while also dedicating efforts to nurturing the next generation of young yangqin performers. Meanwhile, TimeArt Studio approaches performance through the lens of contemporary music, presenting diverse, interdisciplinary works that highlight the evolving landscape of contemporary sound experiments.

MAD Theater is one of Taichung’s earliest contemporary dance troupes. Their works integrate arts with choreography and transcend the boundaries of traditional theater by performing in art museums and natural settings, fostering collaborative creation with audiences of all ages. On the other hand, Ars Association extends beyond dance, continuously exploring creativity found in everyday life to express the profound essence of existence. The group also utilizes the Ars Association Base as an experimental space and exchange platform, where diverse artistic energies converge and flourish. For more information on Taichung’s performing arts brands and their events, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s official website (www.culture.taichung.gov.tw).