School of Drama Wins ENCOUNTER Scenic Design Award for Two Consecutive Years

Kwak Taein (Department of Directing, School of Drama) received the Marta Award for Scenic Design at the 36^th International Festival of Theatre Schools (ENCOUNTER) in Brno, Czech Republic, from April 14 to April 18. This marks the second consecutive year the K-Arts School of Drama has won at ENCOUNTER, affirming its standing among top global theatre schools.

The award-winning production reimagined George Orwell’s Animal Farm through a contemporary Korean lens, blending animalistic movement with innovative shadow play. The jury praised its “visual dramaturgy of space, light, and objects, which generates its own unique meaning, [reflecting] collaborative spirit and bold vision.” The awards emphasized co-creation, recognizing the full student team’s contributions.

Director Kwak Taein, explained his aim to visually capture paradoxes in human nature and today’s society. Kwak added that he found it invaluable to see a Korean story overcome language barriers to spark international resonance. He credited the School of Drama’s rigorous training and his collaborators’ dedication.

Since 1994, the K-Arts School of Drama has established itself as Korea’s premier theatre institution. This victory showcases Korean theatre excellence globally while students’ innovative approaches continue shaping the international stage.