National Theater of Korea

National Theater of Korea 국립극장
Address	Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu
City	Seoul
Country	South Korea
Owned by	Shin Sun-hee
Opened	April 29, 1950
http://www.ntok.go.kr/ntok_eng/index.jsp

National Theater of Korea
Hangul	국립극장
Hanja	國立劇場
Revised Romanization	Gungnip Geukjang
McCune–Reischauer	Kungnip Kŭkchang

The National Theater of Korea is a national theatre located in the neighborhood of Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, South Korea.^[1] It is the first federally managed theater in Asia.^{[citation needed]}

Affiliation

The National Theater of Korea was established in 1950 by the government of South Korea and hosts the National Drama Company of Korea, which performs both Korean and international plays, the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, which performs traditional Korean changgeuk, the National Dance Company of Korea, and the National Orchestra Company of Korea^[2].

Forming Facilities

• Main Hall 'Hae' ("Hea" means "sun, Korean: 해")
• Small Hall 'Dal' ("Dal" means "moon, Korean: 달")
• Studio 'Byeol' ("Byeol" means "star, Korean: 별")
• KB Haneul Youth Theater ("Haneul" means "sky, Korean: 하늘")
• Culture Square

Events

Youth Performing Arts Festival

The Youth Performing Arts Festival of the National Theater, held every April until May, is a festival for the youth. With the theme ‘Youth Embracing the Sky,’ the festival contributes to fostering the positive emotions of youth through programs allowing the experience of traditional dance music, musicals, mime, plays and dance of both Korean and international classics. In 2008 the first festival was held, <The Journey to Folksong with Suksun Ahn> was performed for the youth and multi-cultural families in culturally neglected areas. The Youth Performing Arts Festival is the signature event of the National Theater, giving hopes and dreams to future generations, who will be the future leaders of society and the performing arts.

The World Festival of National Theaters

Starting in 2007, The World Festival of National Theaters takes place from September to October every year. The festival promotes the mutual understanding of cultures from every country, whereby Korean audiences can enjoy many excellent domestic and overseas performances. At the same time the National Theater of Korea can better take its position as the cradle of performing arts in Korea. Performances representing national theaters of every nation are on stage together with additional events like shows and exhibitions. National theaters, embassies, and cultural centers of every country gather here for active cultural and artistic communication. The World Festival of National Theaters is the biggest festival hosted by the National Theater of Korea and one of the greatest festivals in Korea.

The Saturday Cultural Plaza

Since 1993, the Saturday Cultural Plaza is the oldest open air performance by the National Theater. Various concerts and performances such as ballets, concerts of contemporary music and orchestra concerts are held in the open air cultural plaza every May to September, on Saturdays at 6:00PM. So far, 350 thousand people have visited the Saturday Cultural Plaza. From 2002 to 2007 the Plaza was sponsored by Renault-Samsung Motors and starting in 2008 by KB Kookmin Bank, which received the Mecenat Award in 2008. This activity is an exemplary partnership model between art and business.

Midday Concert

The was designed to show the potential of traditional classical music so the public can easily understand our music’s past and present. Folksongs, contemporary music, and original sound tracks of soap operas and films are rearranged by the National Orchestra with a modern flare. Commentaries on each work by the artistic director Byeongki Hwang, enriches the concert’s content.

Seasons Festival

National Theater of Korea provides various evernts every spring, summer, fall and winter.^[3]

See also

• Contemporary culture of South Korea
• Korean art
• Korean theater
• List of concert halls

References

1. ^ National Theater of Korea Seoul Tourism Organization
2. ^ the-national-theater-of-korea-ntok
3. ^ http://www.ntok.go.kr/www/business/seasons_festival/season_festival1/season_festival1.cms

External links

• Official site

Coordinates: 37°33′9″N 127°0′0″E / 37.5525°N 127°E / 37.5525; 127