BAM Blog Questionnaire: Tsai Ming-yuan of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre

Rice's Tsai Ming-yuan. Photo: Liu Chen-hsiang

You've seen him in photos—in BAM's season brochures, website, in posters, or postcards. He is the face of Rice, a dance made by Lin Hwai-min for Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, which opens the 2015 Next Wave Festival on Wednesday, September 16. The dancer in the photo is Tsai Ming-yuan. Bare-chested and barefoot, in indigo pants, holding a bamboo stick curved like a new moon, he is part of the landscape, as strong and as flexible as the golden hued rice stalks behind him. Before you finally see him in person, let’s hear from him.

When did you join Cloud Gate? What are your responsibilities there? Is this your first visit to BAM?

I was one of the original members of Cloud Gate 2 when I joined in 1999. I became a Cloud Gate dancer in 2001. My prior performances at BAM include Water Moon (2003), Wild Cursive (2007), and Water Stains on the Wall (2011). Besides dancing, I also serve as a rehearsal assistant for the company.

What do you like about dancing?

To me, dancing is sharing—sharing the experience and joy of my life. I find that I see myself clearer through dance. This is particular true with Mr. Lin’s work, with its underlining philosophy. It is very challenging but also rewarding in the end.