Rice Barn Theater

Japanese Colonial Period - Established 1936: The Rice Barn Theater was originally named the 'Taoyuan County Rice Control Association Warehouse,' abbreviated as the Rice Granary. It was built during the Japanese colonial period (1936). At that time, coinciding with World War II, the Japanese government's rice policy shifted from increasing production to suppressing it and controlled surplus rice circulating in the Japanese market. By forming the 'Rice Control Association,' they stored surplus rice in the production areas. The 'Taoyuan County Rice Control Association Warehouse' was born under these historical circumstances. Post-War - Reorganization 1945: After the war, the Rice Granary was managed by the 'Taoyuan Branch of the Hsinchu Office, Taiwan Provincial Food Bureau.' It was designated as Warehouses No. 9 and No. 10, and a 99-ping administrative management center was added. In addition to storing rice, it also served as a burlap sack warehouse, often employing women to mend burlap sacks in the corridors. Stenciled brush-printed words like 'Food Bureau' and 'Grain Sacks' from that period are still visible in the warehouse today. Present Day - Rebirth 2017: Over time, the Rice Granary no longer met modern rice storage needs and gradually fell into disuse. Thanks to the efforts of local workers, in November 2017, the Rice Granary was officially registered as a historical building. Leveraging its architectural characteristics, professional theater equipment was introduced, and it was planned as a medium-to-small-sized theater space. In 2022, it was renamed the 'Rice Barn Theater,' transforming into a small theater. Inheriting the warehouse's original storage function, it combines performing arts with the urban atmosphere, creating an experimental creative base for medium-to-small-sized theaters in Taoyuan and taking on the new mission of nurturing local performing arts talent. The Rice Barn Theater complex consists of three buildings. The original Buildings B and C were renovated to become the Rice Barn Theater, directly operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs. Building A is entrusted by administrative contract to the Taoyuan City Government's Department of Agriculture and the Taoyuan District Office for use, serving respectively as the Taoyuan District Farmers' Association's Taoyuan Cultural Warehouse and the Taoyuan District Yongxing Rice Granary Citizens' Activity Center.