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| Kim Seung-up, CEO of CAC |
Chungmu Art Hall, a major theater in central Seoul, changed its name to Chungmu Art Center (CAC), Wednesday, declaring its vision to become a cultural complex centering on producing musicals.
"The CAC will provide a creative environment for artists and develop its own content as a producing theater," said Kim Seung-up, CEO of CAC.
Kim, 64, is a seasoned theater manager who has s worked for Seoul Arts Center, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the Gimhae Arts and Sports Center and the Busan Cinema Center.
The CAC originally opened in 2005 operated by the Jung-gu Cultural Foundation, under the Jung-gu District Office. Kim was inaugurated in January and reorganized the theater to focus on nurturing new homegrown musical productions.
"Originally the Chungmu Art Hall began as an 800-seat theater, but now it has a 1,200-seat theater, two smaller theaters named Middle Theater Black and Small Theater Blue and a sports center. So we needed a name that could represent the venue in a broader sense. The rechristening came with my inauguration and I think of it as a gift for me," Kim said.
The CAC produced a Korean musical version of "Frankenstein," based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, which became a big hit. It drew over 240,000 spectators through its 2014 premiere and 2015 revival. The license for the musical portraying the relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his creature was sold to Japan's Toho Company and will be staged in Tokyo next year.
Stimulated by the success, the CAC is preparing another self-production titled "Ben Hur," slated for summer 2017.
"The CAC has developed its characteristics as a musical theater-specialized venue. The success of Frankenstein is unprecedented, opening a new prospect in the Korean theater industry," Kim said. "We aim to create at least three major productions in our repertoire, supporting the creation of new musicals."
The CAC will expand its support for young creators through its Musical House Black & Blue program. The center also holds the Chungmuro Musical Film Festival in summer, the first festival of its kind here, which started last year.
"The CAC is funded by taxpayers and it is our role to create content representing Korea," Kim said.
Kim also vowed to continue maintaining the venue's financial stability. Currently, the CAC has a fiscal self-reliance ratio of around 70 percent, which is the second-highest in Korea following Seoul Arts Center.
"It is remarkable for a small theater run by a local government agency," Kim said. "We will diversify our business collaborating with various marketers."
