Blah Blah Land: David Glass "An Unnaturalistic Life" cum Long Table Sharing

Guest Speaker

Award-winning solo performer, theatre director, writer, designer, lighting designer, filmmaker, teacher and creative thinker, David is one of the UK’s most prominent theatre directors and principal founders of the physical/visual, devised, ensemble and applied theatre movements.

In 1999, David established David Glass Ensemble and has toured productions to 32 countries. In 1997, he founded the groundbreaking Lost Child Project, working with over 10,000 street children in 22 countries. In Cambodia he wrote his five stage Creative Practice book which is now used worldwide to help organisations such as Save The Children, UNICEF, UN/ILO and numerous Universities around the world helping them to think and work more creatively.

Moderator

Renowned multi-talented artist in the field of Asian contemporary theatre, Olivia is a leading dramaturg, director, actress and educator. With over 30 years of experience in the performing arts industry, particularly on creation, production & education, Olivia has participated in more than 50 theatre works. She is one of the most popular artists who is frequently being invited to different art festivals, exchange and coaching. Her achievements in theatre are well-recognized among the industry and the audience. She has received numerous awards including Hong Kong Arts Development Awards Artist of the Year (DRAMA) (2014) and Rising Artist Award (Drama) (2003), Asian Cultural Council scholarship (1999), Hong Kong Drama Awards Best Actress (2000 & 2005) and Best Supporting Actress (1993).

Olivia has consistently held different workshops for professionals, corporate training, team building, lectures, etc. to share her vision and experience with artists and people from different backgrounds. She is recently working with Tai Kwun and collaborates with international theatre master David Glass to create “ELAN Lost Child Project HK”. She aspires to work with the mental health of youngsters and grown-ups through the power of performing arts and story-telling, and creates hope and new directions in the arts for the future. Bad Acting, a documentary of her acting approach, was a spectacular film production she worked with Such Films HK recently. It offered charity screenings to provide young artists the opportunity to learn with masters in the industry.

In 2021, Olivia accepted the invitation from David Glass Ensemble as associated artist. She is now appointed to be Co-opted Member of Performing Arts Committee of West Kowloon & Arts Advisor (Drama) of Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Guest Moderator

Dr. Paul W.C. Wong, D.Psyc.(Clinical), Reg.Clin.Psyc (Australia)., RCP(HKPS), Ccoun&ACounS (HKPCA), FHKPsS, FHKPCA, MAPS

Paul is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong. He has been involving in suicide prevention research and mental health promotion and practice since 2003. His recent research projects include youth social withdrawal behavior, using animals as part of educational and psychological interventions, youth positive development of local and non-Chinese young people, and family care giving for people with psychological issues. His main research theme aims to promote social inclusion in our society. He is also Fellows of the Hong Kong Psychological Society and the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association. He is the Programme Director of the Master of Social Science (Counselling). He is the recipient of the 2015 and 2020 Faculty of Social Science’s Research Output and Knowledge Exchange Awards, respectively.