Hsiao Ru-Ho

A third-year graduate student in Technical Design at Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA), she began her career in theater after earning a bachelor's degree in German Language and Culture in 2018. After graduation, she spent three years working in backstage theater production. For the first two years, she worked as a freelance crew member, gaining hands-on experience in large-scale productions and touring shows, participating in load-ins, rigging, live operations, and strikes, both locally and internationally with major commercial theater companies.

As she became more experienced in the field, she was offered opportunities to take on broader technical roles. She learned to use QLab for video programming, which led to working as a video engineer on several productions. She also served as an assistant stage manager (ASM) on international tours, and worked as a technical interpreter for visiting German performance groups in Taiwan.

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In her third year of work, she joined HUNGCHI INTERNATIONAL ARTS Ltd., a technical production company, where she took on a more design-integrated and management-oriented role. While continuing crew work, she became proficient in AutoCAD, and began preparing comprehensive technical drawings and production documents with a technical director’s mindset—anticipating workflow needs, touring logistics, and tool planning.

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After a year of fast-paced industry experience, she developed a strong desire to engage more deeply with the full process of production, from design to fabrication, and to explore new materials and methods beyond her existing skill set. This led her to enroll in the Technical Design program at TNUA in 2021.

During her graduate studies, she strengthened her 3D drafting skills with AutoCAD, and studied under Professor Chin-Yuan Eugene Yang, whose expertise in automation helped her build a foundation in mechanisms and electrical control systems. She applied these skills in projects like the Farglory Ocean Park parade float, where she served as co-supervisor during summer stock. In addition to coursework, she served as technical director for over ten productions, including several large-scale shows, where she was responsible for budgeting, technical drawings, scenic construction, installation, and leading undergraduate students through the entire production cycle—from planning to load-in and strike.

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Her growing interest in materials and backstage craft processes led her to apply for the 2024 Props Internship at Yale School of Drama, with the goal of expanding her hands-on skills and exploring unfamiliar aspects of scenic and prop work.

At Yale, she has focused on learning and practicing a wide range of craft-based techniques, including scenic painting, sewing, upholstery, casting, vacuum forming, and hybrid material applications. She embraced the challenge of serving as props manager for three props-heavy productions during the Carlotta Festival, which allowed her to engage not only with fabrication and acquisition but also deeply with the rehearsal process and day-to-day production needs.

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Outside of props, she also took part in crew roles on other productions at Yale, allowing her to observe different working methods and approaches within familiar technical processes. This combination of structured training and fieldwork has given her a more layered understanding of collaboration, production flow, and craftsmanship.

Her journey so far has been shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a love of process. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue contributing to the entertainment and arts industry across disciplines, while staying committed to refining her practice and expanding her creative and technical horizons.