Shan Wan Ran Hakka Puppet Troupe Introduction
Shan-Wan-Ran Puppet Theater was founded in 2002 by Huang Wu-Shan. He learned traditional puppetry techniques from the treasure-level puppetry master Li Tian-Lu's two sons, Chen Xi-Huang and Li Chuan-Can. In 2003, he graduated from National Taipei University of the Arts with a degree in Theater Arts, and he also appreciated the dedication of his teachers. He learned Hakka Mountain Songs from the Hakka song queen Lai Bi-Xia, integrating Hakka culture into traditional puppetry. This has made him one of the few young artists in Taiwan with both professional puppetry performance skills and a foundation in dramatic academic theory, preserving the flame of traditional puppetry. The Shan-Wan-Ran Puppet Theater understands the significance of Hakka cultural heritage. Currently, it focuses on production and performance, actively participating in various art festivals, and has begun planning courses that combine Hakka drama, Hakka puppetry, and Hakka music. By using the lively and vibrant performance style of puppetry, they aim to attract the younger generation of Hakka people to value Hakka cultural arts, rekindling the Hakka spirit and helping non-Hakka groups understand and recognize the diversity and inclusivity of Hakka culture.
