The 2025 annual drama production by the junior students of the Department of English, Class of 115, was held successfully on May 14 and 16, 2025, at the Lecture Hall of the Integrated Activity Center on the Jin-De Campus of National Changhua University of Education. This year’s featured play, Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay! (《請支援收銀》), was performed with great enthusiasm and talent. The event was graced by the presence of Dean Sheng-Hui Huang of the College of Liberal Arts and Department Chair Xiang-Jun Chu, who delivered opening remarks for the performance.

The annual drama production is a longstanding tradition of the Department of English at NCUE. Every year, the junior class devotes nearly a full year to planning and executing this large-scale event. For 2025, the students of Class 115 selected an adaptation of Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!, a classic play by Italian Nobel laureate Dario Fo. The preparation process was both intensive and challenging, requiring months of effort to perfect their performances. Students memorized lines word for word and made creative contributions to the staging and interpretation. The play critiques rising prices of necessities and rent during the 1970s, as well as employers’ cuts to wages, jobs, and benefits. In order to make these serious issues resonate with today’s audience—especially in the context of inflation—the cast incorporated humorous and meaningful scenes, blending social critique with engaging performance. Though the actors initially struggled with pronunciation, tone, and delivery, their persistent dedication paid off. They delivered an authentic and emotionally rich performance that captivated the audience and brought the characters vividly to life. Beyond acting, the stage design was another highlight of the show. The students recreated the look and feel of a modest modern rental home, with each element refined through countless revisions. This attention to detail reflects the dedication of every Class 115 student, who also contributed ideas for costumes, props, lighting, and more. The performance was a true team effort, brought to life by creativity and collaboration, and concluded to enthusiastic applause and acclaim.

Special thanks go to Professor Jeffrey Gamble, the production’s advisor, for his unwavering guidance and support. The event was further honored by the attendance of many esteemed faculty members, including: Dean Sheng-Hui Huang (College of Liberal Arts), Dean Jien-Ming Huang (College of Social Science, Physical Education, and Sports), Chair Xiang-Jun Chu, Professor Petros Dovolis, Professor Yu-Ling You,

Professor Bao-Lin Wu, Professor Yu-Xien Kuo, Professor Shan-Mao Chang, Professor I-Chin Shi, Professor Yun-Hua Xiao, Lecturer Jing-Yi Huang, and representatives from the Center for Teaching and Learning Development.

The final performance on May 16 marked a heartfelt and memorable conclusion to this year’s production. The success of the event was made possible by the support of the university, faculty members, and administrative units. Sincere thanks to the university for its continuous sponsorship and resources, which ensured the availability of venues, costumes, props, and equipment—allowing students to fully realize their vision of an ideal stage production.

▲ Dean Sheng-Hui Huang delivers opening remarks

▲ Department Chair Hsiang-Chun Chu delivers remarks

▲ Group photo of the drama production team with faculty members (Front row, from left): Prof. Yun-Hua Xiao, Prof. Shan-Mao Chang, Dean Sheng-Hui Huang, Prof. Jeffrey Gamble, Chair Xiang-Jun Chu, Prof. Petros Dovolis, Prof. Yu-Xien Kuo, Prof. I-Chin Shi

▲ Behind-the-scenes snapshots from the production

▲ Behind-the-scenes snapshots from the production

▲ Behind-the-scenes snapshots from the production

Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):