ISTA TaPS, Hong Kong

“Can I just live in TaPS?” –

Majority of the ISTA Participants

One of the saddest choices I made for my DP years was giving up on all performing arts subjects to pursue a future in the chemistry stream. I didn’t, however, want to completely lose touch with my love for theatre and ISTA TaPS just happened to be the perfect opportunity for me to explore and expand my knowledge on the subject.

The Theatre Arts Program Symposium, TaPS, organized by the International Schools Theatre Association, ISTA, is a unique three-day intensive training workshop aimed at students studying the IB, giving them the perfect opportunity to authentically engage with the IB theatre program. This year, it was held in Hong Kong.

But TaPS is not just about engaging with the IB curriculum.
TaPS enabled me to…

1. Collaborate with IB Theatre students from Hong Kong and Japan.

I made some unforgettable memories, met some amazing people and made some truly wonderful friends. I hope to meet them again someday!

2. Watch ground breaking Butoh and Topeng performances.

The Butoh performance, performed by the critically acclaimed Butoh dancer Vangeline, as well as the Balinese Topeng Mask performance, performed by Made Sidia and narrated by Rucina Ballinger were chillingly moving and hilariously magnificent respectively. No words can truly express how beautiful those performances were.

3, Explore world theatre practices through a series of outstanding master classes.

These were led by Vangeline, Made Sidia and Rucina Ballinger and I had the honor of being directly taught by them on the different theatre practices they specialize in. This experience, I know, I will never get anywhere else. For that, I am truly grateful.

To conclude, I have to give a special thanks to our chaperones, Mrs. Rachel Jackson, my theatre teacher during my MYP years, and Mr. Lakshitha. Also, my crew, you guys were too much fun and I’m seriously homesick for our hotel in Hong Kong (I know many of you can relate) ☹

At this rate, I might just end up doing TaPS next year as well!