National Theater of Korea


The National Theater of Korea is a national theatre located in the neighborhood of Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, South Korea. It is the first nationally managed theater in Asia.

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.

Facilities

Youth Performing Arts Festival

The Youth Performing Arts Festival of the National Theater, held every
April until May, is a festival for 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 when the first festival was held, The Journey to Folksong with Suksun Ahn was performed for youth and multi-cultural families in culturally neglected areas. The Youth Performing Arts Festival is the signature event
of the National Theater, with the goal of inspiring those
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 solidify its position as the center
of performing arts in Korea. Performances representing national theaters of
various nations 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 is considered by some to be 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 aspires to serve as a model of partnership between
art and business.

Midday Concert

The Midday Concert was designed to show the potential of traditional
classical music so the public can easily understand Korean music’s past and
present. Folksongs, contemporary music, and original sound tracks of soap
operas and films are rearranged and modernized by the National Orchestra. Commentaries on each work by the artistic director Byeongki Hwang
in order to enrich the concert’s content.

Seasons Festival

National Theater of Korea provides various events every spring, summer, fall and winter.

Shows