International Freshmen at National Chengchi University Experience U-Theater’s Mountaintop Theater at Maokong

Article by Kuo Fan-chieh, edited by Lin Tien-yu

More than 30 international freshmen at National Chengchi University (NCCU) hiked to U-Theater's hidden mountaintop theater in Maokong on a recent afternoon for a cultural journey organized by the university's Office of International Cooperation. 

They walked along the trail that winds through the mountains and visited the mountaintop theater hidden in the deep forests of Maokong. Finally, they completed the basic meditation exercises that U-Theater members practice daily in the open air surrounded by mountains.

The students began their journey by walking silently in a practice known as "Cloud Feet." The goal of Cloud Feet is to become aware of one's thoughts and focus on the present moment. After 40 minutes of practice, students reflected on how their state of mind had changed. They said they had gone from being restless and easily distracted to feeling calm and centered.

At the end of the hike, the students reached the daily training base of U-Theater. In this semi-outdoor theater space, students sipped Maokong Tieguanyin tea while listening to tour guide Yao Yu-wen ( 姚喻文 ) talk about the history of U-Theater.

Yao explained that the reason why U-Theater founder Liu Jo-yu ( 劉若瑀 ) set up the group’s base in the mountains and required troupe members to walk the rugged road is that she hoped they could practice adjusting themselves, rather than nature, by bending down, lifting their legs, and avoiding obstacles on the walking path.

The philosophy of U-Theater is to infuse the spirit of emulating nature into every performance. Yao said that only through training in the mountains can one truly connect with the Earth.