A compelling play is the result of seamless collaboration between the creative minds behind the scenes and the talented performers on stage. The original play Message, produced by students from the University of Macau (UM), won two awards at the 2024 Golden Hedgehog College Theater Festival, a prestigious theatre festival for university students in China. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the dedication and excellence of the Drama Society of the University of Macau Students’ Union (UMSU). In an interview with My UM, former and current presidents of the Drama Society, Casta Lai Chit and Bernus Lau Weng U, share their theatrical endeavours and discuss their aspirations to nurture new talent in drama and uphold the mission of the Drama Society.
Chasing their dreams in the realm of drama
The UMSU Drama Society also had a notable presence at the previous Golden Hedgehog College Theater Festival, where their original play When Bitterness Finishes, Sweetness Begins earned a spot among the ‘Top Ten Outstanding Plays’ in 2020. In 2024, Message emerged from a competitive field of 139 entries from 71 universities in mainland China, including prominent art institutions, clinching the ‘Top Ten Outstanding Plays’ and the ‘Special Jury Award’. The play is also the only winning entry from Macao. More than just another accolade, this achievement not only stands as a testament to UM’s outstanding student creators, but also underlines the enduring legacy of creativity within the Drama Society.
Among the contributors to the success of the play are two key Drama Society figures: Casta and Bernus. Casta, who is now the executive director of Frost Ice Snow Creative Experimental Theatre, took the lead in assembling the production team and creating the play when she was president of the Drama Society and a student in the UM Faculty of Education. Now, Bernus—the current president of the Drama Society and a fourth-year student in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature—has taken the helm, guiding younger members in bringing Message to the stage. The play is an example of creative continuity.
The Drama Society has not only fostered a remarkable bond between Casta and Bernus, but has also been their crucible, transforming each partner’s talents into a collective creative force. Bernus first met Casta during her first year at UM. With Casta’s support and guidance, she learned to navigate the university’s resources and carry on the legacy of those who came before her, aiming to take the Drama Society to new heights. On the other hand, after completing her master’s degree at UM, Casta delved deeper into her passion for theatre. She is now the executive director and an actress of Frost Ice Snow Creative Experimental Theatre, a group composed mainly of UM alumni. She continues to live by the Drama Society’s motto: ‘In the world of acting, we have nothing to do but master the art of theatre’.
‘Theatre is the art of thoughtful interaction’
‘We play and we play hard’ is more than a slogan, it is a motto that Casta takes seriously. Casta believes that producing an exceptional play requires all members to fully and genuinely immerse themselves in the piece. This is a journey of self-discovery, an exploration where artistic expression meets professionalism and perfection. This is also no small feat. For both Casta and Bernus, being president of the Drama Society is not just a title, but a role that is responsible for coordinating efforts both on stage and behind the scenes. They share a common belief: We can learn many life lessons from the theatre and the Drama Society. That is why we often say: theatre is the art of thoughtful interaction.
Extensive reading of classic plays is key to building a strong foundation in drama. Casta and Bernus’ artistic pilgrimage began with the masterpieces of the great English playwright William Shakespeare, the visionary Russian director and theatre theorist Vsevolod Meyerhold, and the Russian actor and producer Konstantin Stanislavski, whose book An Actor Prepares is celebrated in Stephen Chow’s film King of Comedy.
Theatre reflects and transcends life. By reading the classics, Casta and Bernus learned how to bring life’s reflections and myriad truths to the stage through compelling storytelling and performances. Casta explains, ‘Classical literature provides a lens through which we can look at different issues from different angles, while plays serve as a reflection of life and reveal the intricate layers of human nature. Each character is driven by their own motivations, and conflicts of interest create tension, weaving together thought-provoking scenes that invite the audience to think deeply.’
Message, a play that Casta took the lead in creating, tells the story of a wandering traveller who stumbles into a poor village with a news: a notorious murderer is on the loose with a large bounty on his head. The staggering reward sparks an explosion of imagination among the impoverished villagers, as each decision they make hovers precariously between hope and despair.
According to Casta, Message explores the weakness of human nature. The arrival of the traveller and the news he brings ignites a spark of greed among the villagers, causing them to become discontented with their once tranquil lives. ‘As actors, we are tasked with navigating the profound conflicts woven throughout the play. It also allows us to reflect on our own lives and inspires us to cultivate a deeper understanding of our values,’ says Bernus.
The multitasking presidents
Running a student society often raises concerns about continuity. Fortunately, thanks to the tireless efforts of former presidents, the Drama Society has adopted a mentoring model, in which experienced members act as mentors to newcomers to ensure a dynamic future for the society. Casta first met Bernus, who was a first-year student at the time, when she was a fourth-year student and serving as the president of the Drama Society. Fast forward to today, and Bernus has transformed from an untutored novice to a confident and approachable leader, all thanks to the invaluable guidance and encouragement of her seniors.
Bernus has also mastered the art of multitasking, as being president of the Drama Society is a symphony of responsibilities. Internally, she has to manage member relations and train new members by organising a variety of drama workshops each year, including acting, backstage skills and playwriting, to explore members’ potential. Externally, she has to build connections with peers from other universities, and work with them to organise inter-university drama festivals to ensure that each performance is presented in the best possible way. It is worth noting that each performance is a major production and it takes months of preparation to turn a script behind the scenes into a performance on stage.
This is the challenge faced by successive presidents of the Drama Society, and Casta acknowledges Bernus’ efforts are acknowledged by Casta: ‘It’s not easy at all to take care of both the internal and external affairs of the Drama Society. Whenever I see Bernus promoting drama and confidently recounting her experiences in drama studies, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride.’
The two presidents have built a strong reputation for the Drama Society with their unwavering dedication and professionalism. When asked about the secret of their success in leading the society, Casta and Bernus share a knowing laugh and one of them says, ‘Maybe it’s because we’re both Virgos, always striving for perfection in everything we do.’
Spending a gap year in theatre
In the pursuit of dreams, one often finds oneself at a crossroads that challenges the ability to make wise choices and sacrifices. In 2019, fuelled by her passion for drama, Casta, in her third year at UM, made the bold decision to take a gap year. She spent the year participating in the national tour of the play When Bitterness Finishes, Sweetness Begins. Reflecting on the experience, she admits that it took immense courage: ‘It was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After much struggle and careful consideration, I decided to take a year off from my studies and dedicate myself to theatre.’
Casta vividly recalls how Prof Liu Nai-Hua of the UM Faculty of Education reacted when the professor learned of her decision. ‘She gave me a big, warm hug and said, “I’m really happy for you. You’ve found something you want to do and find meaningful. This will undoubtedly be a highlight of your university life.” Her words instantly soothed my anxious heart and silenced the doubts that had been lingering in my head.’
With China celebrating its 70th anniversary and Macao marking 20 years since its return to the motherland, When Bitterness Finishes, Sweetness Begins—a play woven around themes of heritage and root-seeking—could not have come at a better time. Guided by the experienced members of Frost Ice Snow Creative Experimental Theatre, Casta and her fellow actors embarked on a national tour. They journeyed through 15 cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and performed at 31 prestigious universities such as Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. They delivered 121 performances to a total audience of nearly 30,000. Casta adds, ‘The response from the teachers and students there was overwhelmingly enthusiastic; they really enjoyed our play When Bitterness Finishes, Sweetness Begins.’
The experience also marked a transformative turning point in Casta’s life, cementing her ambition to pursue a career in drama. She sees UM as a nurturing environment that encourages students to grow and pursue their dreams. She is grateful for the support and understanding of the faculty and her professors, as well as the invaluable guidance and administrative support of the Student Affairs Office, which has enabled the Drama Society to connect with universities across the country throughout the year. Casta reflects, ‘I hold both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and I’m now dedicated to the field of drama education. My goal is to use drama as a tool to help children and young people express their emotions and unleash their creativity.’
Creating a stage for emerging theatre talent
Casta, who now serves as a strategic adviser to the Drama Society, is helping Bernus and her team prepare for the 10th Greater Bay Area Drama Festival for College Students this April, a platform for young members of the Drama Society to shine and showcase their talents. At the drama festival, the UMSU Drama Society, along with the drama societies of Tsinghua University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), will present original plays. Bernus plans to stage the play Message, which will allow former and senior members of the society to perform on stage with their younger counterparts, providing a valuable growth opportunity for the younger members.
Casta says, ‘For new members to really immerse themselves in the world of drama, we need to encourage them to go beyond the campus and perform on more professional stages. Also, by watching original plays from different theatre troupes, they can learn from each other’ strengths and carry on the spirit of “we play and we play hard”.’
Text: Kelvin U, UM Reporter Loi Sze Ying
Photos: Kelvin U, with some provided by interviewees
English Translation: Kelvin U
Editor: Gigi Fan
English Proofreader: Winky Kuan
Source: My UM Issue 141