The graduate/performers of the National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy are trained in the systematic methods of ancient Chinese folk art, cultivating young performers for the future while preserving this traditional art form.
The National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy was originally founded as a private school to train students for the traditional Chinese and Taiwanese Performing Arts in Taipei in 1957. It became a national academy in 1968. With the approval of the Republic of China, the Fu Hsing Chinese Acrobatics Troupe was founded in 1980. It later merged with the National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy and the National Kuo Kuang Academy of Arts to form the National Chinese Acrobatic Troupe of the Republic of China in Taiwan (currently known as the National Acrobats of Taiwan).
Dramatic folk arts and variety shows have blended with the deepest roots of Chinese civilization, providing entertainment and relaxation to people from all walks of life since the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 240 A.D.). Skillful performers used objects of daily life such as chairs, tables, poles, ladders, bowls, plates, bottles and jars.
These graduates and masters of the National Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy have toured the world promoting Chinese acrobatic arts, folk arts and Chinese culture while establishing cultural exchanges with other countries. Their aim is to make The National Acrobats of Taiwan traditional folk acrobatic arts versatile and to open a new era of art while continuing to perform on the stages of the world.
Artistic director Lo Jih-Hung was born in 1949 and educated at the Peng-xiang County Acrobatic Institute in Jiang-xi Province, Mainland China. In the 1970s, Lo performed as a magician/comedian for the "Tonight" television show in Hong Kong.
From 1984 to 1990 he served as co-director of the Golden Dragon Acrobats, which toured the United States and Canada. From 1988-1991 Lo performed in the Diamond Stage Show on CTS-TV in Taipei and continues to organize television productions of acrobatics and magic.
In 1991, Lo joined the staff of the Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy as a performer and director and in 1995 he managed the "Clown Magic Show" at the Fu Hsing Academy. He was named director of the Fu Hsing Acrobatic Troupe in August 1998 (now the National Acrobats of Taiwan).
Tickets to see The National Acrobats of Taiwan are available for $15 to $35 at the Alex Theatre box office.
Senior and student discount tickets are available at the Alex Theatre box office on the night of the show only (valid identification is required). To charge by phone or for more information, call 243-2539 or visit the Alex Theatre Web site at www.alextheatre.org.
