Chinese Name: 青少年表演藝術聯盟 (青藝盟)
Founded: 2006
Founders: Yu Hao-wei (余浩瑋)
Facebook page: 青藝盟 | Xinbei | Facebook
Did You Know That…?
What’s Young is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the development of youth performing arts.
Formerly known as the “Zhishan Youth Culture Workshop (芝山青文化工作室)”, What’s Young was reformed in 2006 by its founder Yu Hao-wei. The organization’s mission is to promote youth performing arts. By teaching the youths how to create and perform in stage plays, they encourage the youths to get to know themselves and follow their dreams. The organization also holds joint performances and competitions through “What’s Young Youth Theater Festival (花樣年華青少年戲劇節),” the largest theater festival focused on high schoolers in Taiwan. In 2014, they launched the “Kite Project (風箏計畫)” to carry out art-assisted therapy workshops and public performances in various social welfare and educational institutions throughout the country.
What’s Young Youth Theater Festival is joined by around 40 high school theater groups every year. To highlight those who passed the first round, they are selected to join a tour to perform around northern, central, and southern Taiwan starting in July of the year. Besides, professional judges are invited to select the top prize winners.
What’s Young’s mission is to guide the youths in creating original stage plays by teaching them playwrighting, directing, and acting. They designed a complete education system to nurture young students, including launching operating bases throughout the country, opening professional theater courses, initiating mentorship programs, and creating stage performances. Furthermore, What’s Young provides guidance to young people across Taiwan who are interested in drama and theater, helping them to gain more knowledge and expertise in the theatrical field, encouraging these teenagers to share their values and views on the world, and making drama a medium for the young people to connect and communicate with society.