❚ September 2, 2026
❚ 1F Lobby of National Theater, National Theater and Concert Hall, Taiwan
❚ Register through Accupass: https://www.accupass.com/go/wavemakerssymposium
In the fast-changing global cultural landscape, those who know how to read the currents and create their own path through the international waters are Wave Makers. Theatre makers are among them
OISTAT — the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians — is the only international organisation to have relocated its headquarters to Taiwan, which deepened Taiwan's influence and collaborations with the global theatre community for the past two decades.
To mark the 20th Anniversary of OISTAT Headquarters in Taiwan, OISTAT is partnering with the National Theater & Concert Hall to present the Wave Makers International Theatre Symposium. Cultural leaders and professionals from OISTAT’s global network are invited to share global trends in theatre design, cross-cultural approaches to theatre, and experiences in curating international festivals and exhibitions. Through these panel discussions, the Symposium hopes to inspire more Wave Makers to make their voices heard on the global stage.
Panel 1 │ September 2 (Wed) 13:30-15:20
Moderator
Wan-Jung Wei (Taiwan)│Executive Director of OISTAT
Panelists
Wave Makers 101: Reading global trends and cross-cultural approaches to theatre. This session focuses on the concept of “Scenography” around the world. Performance designers, curators, and educators from Brazil, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Canada discuss what “Scenography” means in their respective countries and regions, along with the latest design thinking and case studies from the field. The session welcomes anyone interested in the art and culture, performance design, international trends, and global exchange.
>> Learn more about the speakers
Panel 2 │ September 2 (Wed) 15:40-17:20
Moderator
Wan-Jung Wei (Taiwan)│Executive Director of OISTAT
Panelist
When curating a large-scale international arts festival, how do you balance strong programming with diversity, inclusion, and sustainability? And how can competitions, exhibitions, performances, and talks help participants build international networks and open doors for future collaboration?
This session brings together professionals with international curating experience in global festivals or exhibitions, who will share hands-on insights from World Stage Design (WSD), the Prague Quadrennial (PQ), and SENA — the Southern European & Northern African OISTAT Scenography Forum and Festival. Topics include cross-border productions, local engagement, sustainable practices, interdisciplinary curatorial planning, and how festivals collaborate with theatre technology expos.
During the panel discussion, JuHsin Tsai from National Theater & Concert Hall will explore Taiwan's role and opportunities in cultural diplomacy on the global stage.
In 2029, World Stage Design will move to Berlin, Germany — marking the first time WSD is held on the European continent. The WSD 2029 team will join live from Berlin to share the latest first-hand updates.
>> Learn more about the speakers
September 2, Wed
13:30–15:20 The Possibilities of Theatre Design: Global Trends in Scenography
15:40-17:20 Curating International Performing Arts Festivals Beyond Borders
❚ 1F Lobby of National Theater, National Theater and Concert Hall, Taiwan
❚ Register on Accupass: https://www.accupass.com/go/wavemakerssymposium
