Gezaixi, the museum's core focus, is the only major theatrical form that originated entirely within Taiwan.
The museum holds a significant collection of hand puppets used in Puxian戏 (Puxian opera) styles once prevalent in Yilan.
Yilan is officially recognized as the 'Hometown of Gezaixi' due to its role in the genre's early 20th-century development.
The archives include rare, handwritten scripts used by wandering opera troupes in the pre-digital era.
The Taiwan Theater Museum, currently operating from a temporary location at the Yilan Cultural Center, is the primary national repository for the history of Taiwanese traditional performing arts. The collection focuses on Gezaixi (Taiwanese opera), Beiguan music, and puppetry, documenting their evolution through distinct regional styles. Exhibits feature extensive archives of costume embroidery, intricate wooden hand puppets, and original musical scores. The museum serves as an academic hub for the study of local theater traditions and folklore. Visitors can explore the development of outdoor temple performances and the transition of folk art into modern theater spaces. The current site acts as a bridge for the institution while long-term facility planning continues.
The display area featuring traditional opera costumes and headgear provides the most visually rich backdrop.
Check the official website prior to your visit to confirm the current location, as the museum has utilized temporary spaces in Yilan City.
Look for information on rotating special exhibitions, which often highlight specific master artisans or local performance troupes.
Do not confuse the temporary exhibition space at the Yilan Cultural Center with the historical theater buildings elsewhere in the city.
Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Maintain a quiet volume and refrain from using flash photography on fragile, light-sensitive textiles or historical documents.
