For CMB/EI Fellow Sornchai (Sonny) Chatwiriyachai (Thailand, 2021), theater is both an artform and a form of action. His initiative, Malongdu Theatre, grew from a recognition that traditional theater alone is often insufficient for addressing the social and political realities that many communities in Thailand face. Through Theatre of the Oppressed and other participatory and community-based theatre practices, Sonny intentionally shifts communities away from the sidelines and into the heart of the experience. 

This collaborative philosophy found a place at ISPA 2026 (International Society for the Performing Arts) in Singapore, where Sonny was invited to join an international panel in May 2026, "Viewer, Participant, Co-Creator: Capturing the Evolving Audience," bringing a vital Southeast Asian perspective to a global conversation about the future of the arts. 

The panel was conducted in a "Long Table" format, where audience members could join the discussion directly by taking one of two open seats at the table. This created a vibrant exchange of ideas that reflected the theme of the session: the evolving role of audiences from viewers to active participants and co-creators. 

"It was a privilege to contribute a Thai perspective to this international conversation and to highlight the work that participatory arts practitioners are doing in our region," Sonny said. "I was also delighted to see strong interest from participants in community-based and socially engaged theater practices." 

Ultimately, it was a table where everyone could sit, and Sonny's presence at the table was an act of both representation and leadership. A signal that the knowledge being generated across Southeast Asia belongs in global conversations about where the arts are headed. 

This story is part of the Equity Initiative's 10-year anniversary, celebrating a decade of leadership, collaboration, and impact across Southeast Asia and China.