Memo of APB Directors’ Conference in Ho Chin Min 2013

Time: Spet. 5- 10 , 2013

Place: Dance School of Ho Chin Min

Participants list:

1. Introduction of network for higher education in the performing arts by Tobias Biancone, Director General of International Theatre Institute.

Network for Higher Education in the Performing Arts is in alliance with UNESCO (UNIITWIN Programme).

Main Focus

The Network’s main focus is higher education in the performing arts – drama, theatre, dance, music theatre, and all related performing arts disciplines.

Basic Principles and Core Values

The Network is based on democratic principles and it follows the core values of collaboration, inclusiveness, transparency and inspiration.

Goals of the Network

To make education in the performing arts accessible to all populations of students, regardless of socio-economic condition, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, culture or nationality.

2. Approval of new member schools.

According to the membership criterion, member schools hold a number of principles in common. (1) Dedication to training future theatre, film, and other performing arts practitioners both on-stage and off. (2) Appropriate curriculum to teach students’ skills, stimulate their imagination and critical abilities in the chosen fields.

New schools seeking APB membership should be nominated by a member school, and seconded by another, and then determined by a vote at the APB directors’ meeting. A majority of support opens up membership immediately and in the case of a minority vote, APB will give advice on what to address to better achieve membership. Applying schools are welcome to attend an APB event and to bring information about their school and to answer members’ questions.

This year Hoseo University of Korea and Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) from Philippines and University of Wollongong from Australia have made their membership application to UNESCO ITI APB, and representatives of ten participating schools voted to accept Hoseo University and IPAG as new members of APB, and advised University of Wollongong to make a formal application and to participate in the next APB event.

3. Planning for the upcoming two years.

Shanghai Theatre Academy and the National Academy of Chinese Arts have proposed to co-host the 2014 APB conference and festival in the fall.

National University of Arts, Korea, LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore and MY PHAT are the potential hosts for 2015 APB event.

4. Organisational structure.

It is resolved that we will keep the current structure of APAB and APB for two more provisional years and discuss the issues in 2016 under the guidelines of the then fully established ITI Network. At the absence of India National School of Drama, we will suspend the re-election of Chair of The Asia-Pacific Administration Board. STA will continue to serve APB member schools in the following two years, and Gong Baorong of the Shanghai Theatre Academy is the Director of The Asia-Pacific Bureau of the UNESCO- ITI [APB].

1. At the meeting on 05/09/2013 Prof. Ahn Chi Hun from Hoseo University, Korea, had expressed his concerns about changes in government funding to the arts in Korea. He had specifically asked for the APB to consider Hosea’s situation with respect to these issues.

Aubrey Mellor moved that APB request Prof Ahn Chi Hun to express his concerns in writing as he was not present at this meeting.

2. Aubrey Mellor moved that APB write an official letter to thank the Technical Production team from La Salle College of the Arts for their work on all the student productions at the festival.

3. Aubrey Mellor moved that that APB write an official letter to the Director of the Ho Chi Minh Dance School for the use of the premises.

A discussion ensued about extending the attendance at APB festivals to include Technical Production and Design students. Amanda Morris put this forward and said it would be good to include workshops for these students which would mean extending the invitation to Technical Production and Design staff as well.

Aubrey Mellor pointed out that any students of Theatre can attend but wanted APB to acknowledge that the Festivals are principally for Acting students.

Le Quy Duong said he saw this as a financial problem. Originally in 2008 the agreement was that just 6 students from each school could attend. Already the number has now reached 8. He suggested that extra students could attend if they were willing to pay for themselves. Aubrey Mellor said that in future Music Theatre students would be invited.

William Sun stated that in Shanghai in 2014, at Shanghai Theatre Academy there would be no need for Technical Production students to attend because STA has a large Technical Production team that will supply all the technical needs of all visiting theatre productions. Le Quy Duong suggested opening the Festivals to any Theatre students (Acting, Design, Music Theatre, Technical Production). William suggested that in differing years there could be a differing emphasis; one year could cater to Design students, where they could bring models and images rather than productions and another year could cater to Actors. This would need planning to link to the workshops. Amanda suggested that any attending students would work as collaborators on the theatre productions being staged.

Out of this discussion arose the concept of all students no matter what their specialization working on a themed theatre piece, which could be constructed within the Festival. For instance William suggested the students could have three days to write, devise, direct and technically produce shows in groups.

Aubrey stated that the students really liked to see each other’s work. Jeff suggested both kinds of shows could happen, ones brought from their schools and other shows collectively devised (as is actually happening at this festival).

In 2009 there were themed workshops. The idea of instituting a theme for 2015 was discussed but as Aubrey pointed out at present each school brings what they have been working on. The theme concept would not fit into the training programmes.

There was no resolution to this discussion. Instead it was suggested that feedback could be sought from the students. It was resolved that a feedback form would be issued at the restaurant on the final evening for the students to make comments and suggestions for the future.

5. The problem of the noise level at night from the students’ accommodation may result in a curfew being instituted for certain dates in Shanghai

6. The problem of the presentation of papers was discussed with the suggestion that papers could be posted on the website with key issues being discussed at the Festival

7. The date of the 2014 Festival was set as in October. William confirmed that it will be a co-hosted Festival between STA and the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Beijing. Directors were asked to nominate which dates in October would best suit them and let everyone know via e-mail. The Festival may run back to back with a Shakespeare Festival.

The 2015 APB event may be in Korea, Singapore or Hanoi, Vietnam. However this may be a Directors’ meeting.

8. Aubrey reminded directors that they needed to compile a list of the top 10 plays of their country and send it in. As well they will need to fill out the form for listing Experts that Jiali will be sending to each of the directors.