Thai Performing Arts: Thai Youth Theatre Project

There isn’t much of a tradition of theater in Thailand, but there is a performing arts tradition, rich with history. One thing that I have made a part of my service here in Thailand is to bring theater arts to more children as a way to inspire more confidence and excitement about English.

Theater and Me

I had an interest in theater ever since I was cast as a major role in a school production in 4th grade. I had dreams of being an actress and took part in skits and a kind of drama club in middle school. When I got to high school, my dreams of being an actress faded as I was never cast to be in the production. But, that did not stop me from enjoying theater arts, as I moved my talents backstage, helping to build sets, make props, run spotlights and other technical crew positions.

After high school, my participation in theater productions dropped off as I pursued other interests. However, I know that my participation in my school’s theater program was an integral part of my own growth and inspired self-confidence in me. Which is why when I heard about the Thai Youth Theatre Project, currently run by Peace Corps Thailand volunteers, I took the opportunity to be a part of it.

Thai Youth Theatre Project

We are currently in the beginning stages of organizing the 12th Annual Thai Youth Theatre Festival, but I already know how much of an impact this event has on the students that participate. Students come prepared with a performance, entirely in English, to perform in front of their fellow festival participants and they get to take part in theater skill workshops.

Last year, students learned about mask making, singing, dancing, sword fighting and shadow puppets. Teachers and students report an increase in confidence in speaking English after the festival and that learning English is seen as more fun (something that is a big part of Thai culture, but not necessarily a big part of the education system).

One thing that we are trying to work towards this year and in the future is to shift the responsibility of the Thai Youth Theatre Project over to Thai nationals, and it is proving to be a challenge. One of the things I think that we will especially focus on this year is to get schools that no longer have a PCV to return and take part in the festival, as in the past we have only had one school return without a PCV.

We are also trying to find an organization to partner with that would make fundraising easier and help us to reach a wider number of Thai teachers and communities to inspire to participate.

But seeing the faces of the kids at the festival and the feelings of pride and a sense of accomplishment after their performances was a real treat and reminds me of why I think this is such an important part of culture.