UP CLOSE & PERSONAL with Ms Liu Yi-Ruu

Miss Liu Yi-Ruu is the new Artistic Director at National Theatre & Concert Hall, with effect from April 2018.

Liu Yi-Ruu

• Is there anything that has surprised you about National Theater & Concert Hall since you’ve arrived?

I used to work intermittently for seven years at National Theater & Concert Hall (the NTCH) and it was four years ago that I last worked here. Therefore, I am familiar with the operation of NTCH. Returning to the NTCH, I am pleasantly surprised to find that the NTCH has become more open and lively, with various programmes and activities that are closer to public and engage with more people who have been less involved in the theatre previously. The NTCH is able to remain a vibrant energy and catch up with the contemporary trend through more active younger theatre makers who joined the NTCH in recent years and put in constructive strategy to make the theatre become vigorous.

• What is the greatest challenge faced in your job as the new Artistic Director and how do you overcome it?

The NTCH has accumulated over 30 years of experience, which can be valuable nutrients. However, it may also become an obstacle to the future if we do not wisely make beneficial use of the past experience. I think the greatest challenge faced in my job is how to encourage my colleagues to not stick to the successful experiences of the past, but to actively and bravely redefine the potential future of the theatre.

The ways to overcome the challenge is to create more channels that enable young people to participate in the theatre. With innovative ideas and new perspectives from the young generation, the NTCH will be able to constantly adjust a better working method, while also helping to keep a young mind and bring new energy to the theatre.

• What is your vision for the Centre and what is its role in the Taiwan arts ecosystem?

We expect the NTCH to become one significant cultural brand of Asia and we realise that the key point is mainly about the creation of the arts. Therefore, the NTCH has its resolution to be “the home base for art practitioners”, and not just a presenter. The NTCH provides more resources, longer time and further companion for artists, giving them full support to encourage the output of excellent creations. When there are more quality works created, there are greater opportunities to attract more audience into the theatre. This will set off a positive circle that will not only be the benefit to the NTCH, but also to cultural centres of each county.

• What are you most looking forward to in National Theater & Concert Hall’s year ahead?

Make NTCH become an art centre of all people.

• Tell us a little about yourself – what were you doing before this and how did you come to be involved in the arts?

I used to work as a journalist and a project manager ina public relation agency, and was involved in various marketing events for art in Council for Cultural Affairs (currently the Ministry of Culture). Later, I worked intermittently at the NTCH for seven years as a secretary, deputy director and agency of artistic director. I also spent six years in the Innovation and Incubation Center of Taipei National University of the Arts as the Chief Executive, mainly supporting young artists to start their enterprise. In addition, I worked with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and Ju Percussion Group Foundation for about four years. It was actually unexpected for me to get involved in the arts at first, but since then I have been doing work within the art field non-stop.

• How did the arts touch your life?

It was my job duty to work on art promotion and through this job experience, I could see how passionate the general public became when they were exposed to art and how art also altered their lives. That’s why to work in arts administration became my calling.

• Do you play an instrument or participate in any forms of art?

I learned violin, piano, huqin and drawings. But I don’t feel I am talented enough to master it.

• Tell us one thing interesting that most of your colleagues do not know about you?

I am not sure if I have a hidden personality. I like to keep things simple and also like to keep an open and frank working attitude. I don’t know if there is anything my colleagues haven’t discovered.

Visit National Theater & Concert Hall’s website here.