During the rehearsal and performance process, participants can reflect on and integrate their past life experiences, which is a common therapeutic approach in the field of mental health. Arts such as drama, dance, and music unlock the self hidden deep within, fostering creativity while also stimulating the mind's self-healing power. Past setbacks and scars can be relieved through the creative process.

More and more older adults are using performing arts to create their encore lives. Performing arts scholar Valerie Barnes Lipscomb, using the famous line from the play Hamlet, "The play's the thing," metaphorically advocates that stage performances allow "old age" to be filled with diversity and uniqueness, while also challenging societal stereotypes about aging.

Old stories, new life.

In Taiwan, many community theater groups are primarily made up of senior members. Since 2005, Guling Theatre and Shin Kong Life Insurance Charity Foundation have collaborated to launch the "Revitalizing History" public welfare program. The series of courses includes: senior storytelling classes that guide elders to share their personal stories, exploring the beautiful moments and emotions in their memories; and senior acting classes, where they learn professional drama techniques and bring their stories to the stage, performing together with children.

Turning "discovering one's life" into a creative process, each elder, while telling their life story, also reorders the important memories in their hearts, or restores the historical appearance of that era. These precious creations are brought into Guling Theatre’s "Life Theatre" performances, allowing the stories to be passed down.

Life is like a play, and the play is like life. "Each elder is a microcosm of the great era they experienced in their youth," says project director Cai Yingru. Senior actors also step into schools to promote life stories, creating opportunities for dialogue between performers and audiences from different generational backgrounds. The unique experiences and thoughts of each person spark mutual inspiration. Together, they collaborate on multiple works, using art and intergenerational education to foster cross-generational exchange. While the elders explore new directions in life, they also influence children’s views on life and teach them to respect elders with different life journeys. The theater brings endless possibilities to everyone!

Leave your story to me to perform.

"Beitou Witch Theater" also returns the enthusiasm and energy of seniors to the community.The theater group was spontaneously formed by local middle-aged and elderly volunteers and community mothers in Beitou. They have long been dedicated to serving senior-related organizations, hospitals, remote schools, families of people with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups. Teacher Gao Yuzhen, who specializes in drama education, promotes the "One Person One Story Theater," where she listens to stories shared by the audience, refines the core of those stories, and transforms them into live improvisational performances. Through body language, she interprets the storyteller's emotions, allowing the entire audience to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the story.

Regardless of the audience’s age, gender, or background, "One Person One Story Theater" always leaves a deep impact. The group creates a reassuring and trusting atmosphere, gradually guiding the audience to share their personal stories. They approach various experiences and emotions with empathy and without judgment. As the relaxed and healing performance progresses, more and more audience members find the courage to openly share their feelings and emotions, offering heartfelt words to those around them. This unique theater performance cultivates the group's ability to listen to and resonate with the stories of others, learning to hold more compassion and empathy for one another.

Since 2014, Beitou Witch Theater has been collaborating with organizations such as the Lao Wu Lao Foundation and the Eden Social Welfare Foundation to guide volunteers over 50 years old in learning performing arts. Through "One Person One Story Theater" performances and old songs singing activities, they accompany elderly people. They will continue to move forward, bringing this intangible gift to more people.

Be the protagonist of your own life.

Across Taiwan, various senior learning centers are increasingly offering drama and body development courses as part of their diverse programs. For example, the Fengyuan Senior Drama Troupe at the Fengyuan Senior Learning Center in Taichung City, the Liangjingjing Old Immortal Drama Troupe at the Taoyuan Senior Learning Center, the Yousiang Academy/Senior Drama Troupe at the Tainan Senior Learning Demonstration Center, and the Elder Drama Troupe at the Zhongliao Township Senior Learning Center in Nantou County.

Through gradual physical training, participants build relationships with their companions, integrate into the drama troupe, and offer mutual support and encouragement. They write scripts, rehearse performances, create props and costumes, and enjoy taking part in every aspect. Finally, they shine brightly at exhibitions, ceremonies, or events, overcoming personal limits and spreading their positive energy to all corners of society, becoming the best leading man or leading woman in their own life!

On stage, the dialogue flows naturally, with smooth body movements and perfect timing in the transitions between scenes, radiating brilliant confidence. The performance is moving not only because the grandparents have dedicated so much effort to their practice, but also because it tells stories about them, about us, and about society.

◎Extended Reading:

1. 陳懷萱（2019年06月12日）。戲遊銀髮田野進行式：虛實之間，讓我們一起變老(Open in a new window.)。CLABO實驗波。

2. 羅倩（2019年06月11日）。與社區同行，以一人一故事共享生命經驗：女巫劇團(Open in a new window.)。CLABO實驗波。

3. 黃詩惠、詹欣諶（2022年03月21日）。(Open in a new window.)女巫劇團 用一人一故事來療癒人心(Open in a new window.)。生命力新聞。(Open in a new window.)

4. 安可人生Anke（2022年08月17日）。藝術創齡｜果陀樂齡學員演活歷史，再創60+新人生(另Open in a new window.)。安可人生Anke。

5. 許詩愷（2020年98月28日）。(Open in a new window.)他們助銀髮族挖掘自身故事 將生命搬上舞台(Open in a new window.)。聯合報系陽光行動。(Open in a new window.)

6. 活化歷史 - 果陀劇場(Open in a new window.)

7. 陳莞欣（2022年08月03日）。生命卡住時，跳舞讓身心自由、更愛變好的自己！〈50後，自由。〉熟齡當代舞MV素人舞者分享(Open in a new window.)。50+ FIFTY PLUS。

8. 李偉文（2020年06月28日）。李偉文：熟齡更該玩藝術，藝術創作是解放心靈枷鎖的最好方法(Open in a new window.)。安可人生Anke。

9. 周傳久、鄭仲宏（2019年10月05日）。聾盲‧麵包‧劇場(Open in a new window.)。公視 獨立特派員。