Finally, we were told of our main role during the festival. Interestingly, I was given the role of artist liaison to a Taiwanese Opera group. I mean, although I did say I could speak mandarin, I wasn't expecting to be taking care of around 40+ Taiwanese artist! And although it was called Georgetown Festival, the opera group was actually performing in University Science Malaysia, which was quite a distance from Georgetown itself, and for me, almost a 1.5hrs bus ride away! But instead of complaining and rejecting the assignment, I decided to take it day by day and see how it goes.
And so I reported for duty at USM, taking two buses to get there, and walking uphill too! I've been to USM many times before when I was studying. No I didn't study there, I mainly went there got chess tournaments, lol.
The venue of the performance. I didn't really have much to do really. So I spend it sitting inside watching them rehearse on my first day of duty. I have met their Taiwanese liaison the day before at their hotel while they were checking in. The only task I performed on my first day there was helping one of their marketing lady find her lost wallet. I must say, simple task like that does push me out of my comfort zone.
First day duty ended once we collected the lost wallet at the nearby campus police station. After the troupe has gone home by bus, I too went to catch my bus home. As luck would have it, the first bus that arrived at the bus stop was 102, direct bus home! Woohoo!
During their performance day, I was there during their last performance. It was fun having access to the backstage. Nobody really care who I was. I was able to walk everywhere with my volunteer pass on. I also had my free lunch together with the troupe at the backstage.
The troupe was from Taiwan, and their company name was called GuoGuang.
One of the task I helped them with was finding stools for them so that they can stand on while preparing the costumes. I was assigned to help with the costume team. The task felt like being a personal assistant to a celebrity. There is no clear description of the task you are supposed to perform, except to help them out in anyway you can. So it was quite fun and challenging when they ask me to do something. Although I don't know how to get it done, I would just say ok, and walked outside to figure it out. Luckily, I am resourceful and persistent, and I used my charm to get what needs to get done! Lol. In some way, I learned more about myself in those few days helping out at the festival!
I also helped them attend to their merchandised booth, did some logistic for them.
At the end of my work with them (since they only did two performances), I was given a free folder of the group as a 'thank you' gesture. I was so happy! I actually have back-to-back shift on my last day with them, so I even got up the courage to ask for a free ride to town on their bus so that I can get to my next duty venue faster. It was so fun! I didn't really get to watch their full performance, but I did managed to watch one half of it on my first day there. It was a typical Chinese Opera, but with English subtitle. But it was hard to watch and understand, what with the subtitle, and the very chinese chinese. Very interesting experience indeed!
Sample of their performances:
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