Stan Lai

Stan Lai (賴聲川) is a Taiwanese-American playwright, director, and professor, widely considered one of the most important figures in contemporary Chinese-language theatre. He is known for his innovative and experimental approach to dramatic form, often blending elements of comedy, tragedy, and philosophical inquiry.

Born in the United States, Lai moved to Taiwan as a child. He received his Ph.D. in Dramatic Art from the University of California, Berkeley. Upon returning to Taiwan, he played a pivotal role in the development of modern Taiwanese theatre, moving it away from traditional forms and towards more contemporary and socially relevant themes.

Lai founded Performance Workshop (表演工作坊) in 1984, a theatre company that has produced many of his most celebrated works. Performance Workshop is known for its collaborative creative process, often involving improvisation and workshops to develop scripts.

Some of Lai's most notable plays include:

• That Night, We Talked About Crosstalk (那一夜，我們說相聲): A groundbreaking work that revived the traditional Chinese comedic performance art of crosstalk and infused it with contemporary themes.
• Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land (暗戀桃花源): A play within a play, blending a tragic love story with a comedic adaptation of a classical Chinese tale.
• The Village (寶島一村): An epic drama depicting the lives of families who followed the Kuomintang government to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War.
• Dreamlike Like a Dream (如夢之夢): An eight-hour immersive theatrical experience that explores themes of life, death, and interconnectedness.

Lai's works often address themes of cultural identity, social change, and the search for meaning in a rapidly modernizing world. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to theatre, and his plays have been performed around the world. He has also directed films and taught at universities in Taiwan and the United States.