The 36th Geochang International Theater Festival Opens on July 31... Top Domestic and International Productions to Take the Stage

To Be Held for 10 Days at Susungdae
50 Troupes from 7 Countries, 78 Performances Scheduled

The 36th Geochang International Theater Festival will be held for ten days from July 31 to August 9 in the Susungdae area of Geochang County.

This year's festival, held under the slogan "Immersive Freedom, Sweet Imagination" in celebration of "Visit Geochang Year 2026," will feature 50 performance troupes, including groups from seven foreign countries, with a total of 78 performances scheduled.

[Photo by Geochang County] The 36th Geochang International Theater Festival will be held for ten days from July 31 to August 9 around Susungdae in Geochang County. Chunja from Wonderland Theater

The opening performance is the play "The Dream of an Elderly," which will be staged at 8:00 p.m. on July 31 at the Turtle Theater. Actors Son Sook, Lee Ilwha, Park Jiil, and Lee Pilmo will star in the production, which unfolds the story of a protagonist who has given up on the dream of becoming a painter and an elderly person who wishes to paint their own funeral portrait, exploring themes of life and dreams.

On August 1 and 2, the "Othello" by Japan's Shizuoka Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will be performed at the Festival Theater. Based on William Shakespeare's "Othello," the production deals with love, misunderstanding, and the essence of human relationships, and is directed by Artistic Director Satoshi Miyagi.

In the later part of the festival, on August 7 and 8, the original musical "Chunja from Wonderland" will take the stage at the Festival Theater. Planned by the National Asia Culture Complex Foundation and produced by the theater company Ojing-eo, this adventure drama revolves around the themes of memory, family, and the meaning of life.

During the same period, the play "Gulliver's Travels: Zoom In Out" by the theater troupe Hattangsae will be staged at the Turtle Theater. This family play is suitable for audiences aged three and above and features a stage that traverses reality and imagination using real-time cameras and projection techniques.

The 36th Geochang International Theater Festival offers free admission to both the opening, closing performances, and fringe shows. Official entries and main competition pieces can be viewed through advance reservations. Geochang residents will receive a 50% discount on tickets, while general visitors who book tickets before the day prior to the opening will receive a 20% discount.

Additionally, a complimentary shuttle bus will run daily between Geochang County Office and the Susungdae event venue during the festival period, and information about performance schedules and ticket reservations is available on the official website of the Geochang International Theater Festival.

[Photo by Geochang County] The 36th Geochang International Theater Festival will be held for ten days from July 31 to August 9 at Susungdae area in Geochang County. The play "The Old Man's Dream"

Theater is not completed solely on stage. When nature and people come together, the experience becomes even more profound. Against the backdrop of the Susungdae valley and the night sky, the Geochang International Theater Festival stands as a representative cultural festival where performing arts and the local community come together.

A wide variety of performances, ranging from international guest productions to original musicals and family plays, await audiences. Taking a moment away from the busy routine to listen to these stories through art could be another way to enjoy the summer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.