From Cultural Exploration to Stage Creation: MCUT’s “Siam Theatre Dream Journey” Embarks on an International Study Program in Thailand
To broaden young people’s international perspectives and deepen their cross-cultural understanding and practical skills, Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) participated for the first time in the “Youth Dream Fund – Overseas Dream Program,” an initiative launched by the Youth Development Administration, Ministry of Education. From July to August 2026, MCUT organized the “Siam Theatre Dream Journey,” an overseas study and exchange program that brought 18 young participants to Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Through cultural field research, theatre and stage design workshops, and inter-university exchanges, participants gained an in-depth understanding of Thai culture and performing arts while developing cross-cultural communication, artistic creation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in authentic international learning environments.
The “Siam Theatre Dream Journey” was integrated with MCUT’s long-term “New Taipei Community International Cultural Exchange and English Literacy Enhancement Project” and centered on the production and performance of the year-end large-scale stage play Sang Thong (สังทอง). The overseas study program served as an important preliminary stage for cultural research, creative material collection, and professional training. Through a process of “overseas study – creative transformation – local performance,” participants not only traveled beyond Taiwan to experience different cultures firsthand but also transformed what they learned abroad into tangible creative outcomes, extending the educational impact of international exchange.
During the Bangkok portion of the program, the team collaborated with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), engaging in professional learning focused on stage visuals, spatial design, and performance technologies. Through group-based creative activities and final presentations, participants explored ways to transform their cultural observations into different forms of stage expression. The team also visited Thai temples, royal architecture, museums, and venues featuring both traditional and contemporary performing arts. Through this cultural field research, participants observed the visual symbols, spatial forms, costumes, dance, and artistic expressions of traditional Thai culture, building a rich collection of cultural references for the subsequent stage design and theatrical development of Sang Thong.
In the second half of the program, the team traveled to Chiang Mai and collaborated with Chiang Mai University (CMU) on a series of theatre creation and performance workshops. The program covered traditional Lanna dance, fundamental acting techniques, script reading and character analysis, monologue practice, physical expression, and scene rehearsals. Participants were guided to gradually incorporate the cultural observations and research accumulated during the earlier stages of the program into their performances. From exploring local culture and interpreting dramatic texts to character development and stage presentation, participants completed a comprehensive learning journey that moved from “cultural understanding” to “artistic interpretation.”
Beyond professional training in theatre and the arts, the overseas program also created opportunities for young participants to engage directly in cross-cultural collaboration. Participants spent extended periods learning, discussing, and creating alongside Thai university students, faculty members, and arts professionals, while using English for real-world communication and collaboration. By navigating different languages, cultural backgrounds, and approaches to working together, participants not only strengthened their international communication skills but also developed teamwork, problem-solving, independent learning, and cross-cultural adaptability, while gaining a deeper understanding of and respect for different cultural backgrounds and values.
Ming Chi University of Technology stated that this marked the university’s first participation in the Youth Development Administration’s “Youth Dream Fund – Overseas Dream Program,” representing an important milestone in its efforts to promote international mobility and interdisciplinary learning among young people. The “Siam Theatre Dream Journey” was more than an overseas study program; it was a learning experience that brought together international exchange, cultural research, and artistic creation. The cultural research, stage design knowledge, and performance experience gained in Thailand will continue to contribute to the production and final presentation of Sang Thong after the participants return to Taiwan, transforming their overseas learning into a tangible stage production.
Looking ahead, the outcomes of the program will also be brought back to the campus and local communities in New Taipei City through theatrical performances and cultural exchange activities, allowing the overseas learning experiences supported by the Youth Dream Fund to reach a wider audience of young people and community members. By connecting these outcomes with MCUT’s “New Taipei Community International Cultural Exchange and English Literacy Enhancement Project,” the university will continue to advance its core goals of promoting multicultural understanding, international exchange, and English literacy. In this way, young people are encouraged not only to “go out” and broaden their international perspectives, but also to “bring back” what they have learned and transform their experiences into meaningful actions that connect the campus, local communities, and the wider world.
Image (No. 1) Description: Caption: The Ming Chi University of Technology team poses for a group photo with students and faculty from Chiang Mai University.
Image (No. 2) Description: Caption: Ming Chi University of Technology students present the outcomes of their theatre workshop at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL).
Image (No. 3) Description: Caption: Ming Chi University of Technology students engage in discussions with workshop instructors and participants at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL).
Image (No. 4) Description: Caption: Final Presentation of Sang Thong
