Reflections on the 33rd Geochang Winter Theater Festival
Hello. I would like to share my thoughts after attending the 33rd Geochang Winter Theater Festival, which runs from December 4 to 17.
This year marks the 33rd edition of the Geochang Winter Theater Festival, the only theater competition in the country featuring elementary, middle, and high school students. It is a much-anticipated celebration during the winter, akin to the white snow.
Chairman Choi Min-sik expressed hopes that this year’s festival will be filled with fresh and vibrant performances created by children and teenagers, reflecting the phrase 'always green.'
The works, diligently prepared by each school, showcase the students' thoughts and imaginations, brought to life with the assistance of their homeroom and theater instructors. These performances are expected to deliver a different kind of emotional impact compared to established theater.
On December 8, the Geochang Deogyu Middle School students will present their play, 'Wandering Stars,' adapted from a work by writer Yoon Dae-seong and directed by Kim Kyung-hyun. This 30-minute youth drama portrays children who, exhausted from constant nagging and expectations at home and school, escape into the night. Inside a dark shopping center, they briefly forget their worries and embrace freedom through activities like escape rooms, photo booths, and karaoke.
However, their brief escapade is interrupted when they are taken to the police station, revealing that these seemingly delinquent children are, in fact, ordinary students struggling with career dilemmas and family issues. The play gently illustrates misunderstandings by adults and the suppressed emotions of teenagers, ultimately showcasing a heartwarming resolution through dialogue and understanding between parents and children.
By recreating familiar spaces for youth, such as photo booths and karaoke rooms, the play enhances realism and conveys the message that wandering is not a failure but a process of growth, shining brighter when shared with friends.
In the end, the children look up at the stars, realizing that their current period of wandering will eventually make them stronger and more radiant. This moment offers empathy and comfort to the audience while quietly prompting adults to reflect on the need for dialogue.
The Geochang Winter Theater Festival is truly a gem-like celebration where children and teenagers, the hope for the future, gather to showcase their individuality and talents.
My heartfelt thanks go to the theater instructors and students of Deogyu Middle School for their hard work in bringing this play to life.
No comments yet.
