The Planning Process and Meaning of Performance Contents Using Local Figures: Focused on ‘Chang Ucchin’ and The Play <Self-Portrait on the Road>

Recently, there has been a growing focus on content utilizing stories unique to specific regions. Content centered on the history, places, and figures of local communities not only embodies regional specificity and identity but also positively contributes to economic revitalization, making it highly valuable. In this context, this study examines the planning process and the transformation of <Self-Portrait on the Road>, a play inspired by painter Chang Ucchin, born in Sejong City, into a performance content. The study first explores Chang Ucchin's philosophy of life to analyze the rationale behind selecting ‘Chang Ucchin’ as a key theme. It then investigates the process of constructing the plot through storytelling, using Chang Ucchin's works, such as ‘Self-Portrait’, ‘Jinjinmyo’, ‘Girl’, and ‘Boy’, as motifs for character development. Additionally, the study delves into the formation of stage design that embodies the play's temporal and spatial settings, thereby understanding the physical aspects of the performance. By utilizing Chang Ucchin, a cultural asset of Sejong City, the play <Self-Portrait on the Road> holds significant meaning in several aspects: the potential for continuous discovery and expansion of regional content, the exploration and sharing of fundamental human values through local figures, and the presentation of a new direction for merging visual arts with performance content. While this study achieves meaningful insights, it acknowledges limitations, such as the absence of in-depth interviews or surveys with the audience. These limitations are proposed as areas for future research.