2025 TCAF: Community-Bittersweet Days

★  An entirely Taiwanese-Language Performance – A Fantastical Adventure Through the Flavors of Childhood

★  Exploring The Journey of Growth Through Taste – A Unique Blend of Parent-Child Interaction and Theatrical Play

What does growing up taste like? Is it as sweet as candy, as bitter as hardships, or as spicy as the challenges we face?

Bittersweet Days  is a fantastical adventure that delves into childhood experiences through taste, weaving together live performances, puppetry, and mesmerizing light and shadow effects. Designed to engage both children and parents, this theatrical journey explores how flavors and emotions intertwine, shaping our experiences as we grow.

The story begins in a child’s mouth, where an unexpected "taste adventure" unfolds. Each flavor on the tip of the tongue  becomes a metaphors for an emotion. When happiness fills the air, everything tastes sweet. But when conflicts arise, the sneaky Cavity Bugs appear, introducing a fiery mix of spicy and salty sensations, symbolizing anger and frustration. When fear and uncertainty take hold, the guardians of oral health—Tooth Fairy and the mighty King Molar—arrive to guide the child through the bittersweet challenges of growing up.

This production is not just an ordinary children’s stage play; it is a dialogue between generations, a heartfelt invitation for families to explore emotions together. Flip Flops Theatre, known for its nuanced storytelling and immersive theatrical language, guides children in recognizing and expressing emotions while encouraging parents to reflect on their own childhood memories. Through humor, warmth, and interactive engagement, the show reminds families of the shared joy of discovering the world together, rekindling the pure and simple magic of childhood.

Flip Flops Theatre

Founded in 2014, Flip Flops Theatre uses drama as a bridge to connect people with their heritage, promoting mother tongue education, human rights awareness, and intergenerational bonding. The collective's name, "Flip Flops," symbolizes the human figure (人) in its Chinese character, representing their dedication to telling the stories of everyday people while sparking meaningful conversations about multiculturalism. Through theater, they strive to create spaces where different generations can find resonance in shared narratives.

Their works range from intimate personal tales to socially engaged storytelling, with notable productions including Grandma’s Little Store, Promise Not to Cry, Slowly, Once ang-poô a Time, and King & King. Their style is diverse, yet always deeply rooted in social consciousness.

Since 2016, the company has spearheaded the "Mother Tongue Storytelling for Babies" initiative, sharing stories entirely in Taiwanese Hokkien to preserve and pass down linguistic and theatrical heritage. In 2022, they launched the "Little Boat Project", incorporating Taiwanese, Hakka, Atayal, and sign language to embrace the island’s rich linguistic diversity.

Flip Flops Theatre firmly believes that theater is more than just entertainment—it is a dialogue between generations, a space for children to find themselves, and a stage where culture takes root and flourishes. Through their innovative productions, they invite audiences to embark on a journey of self-discovery, cultural appreciation, and heartfelt storytelling, ensuring that the voices of the past continue to echo in the hearts of future generations.