Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group was founded in 1929 by Chen Ming-ji. It’s a family-operated theatrical troupe composed of three generations of the Chen family. In 1997, the second-generation Chen Sheng-fu succeeded to the position of chief director. He ran the troupe like a corporation; not only did he continuously produce new plays, he also actively sought to cooperate with both the government and non-government businesses to undertake large-scale cultural events. They had set a legendary record of drawing one hundred thousand spectators for a single play. Currently, there are eight sub-troupes and four allied troupes. Their performances have been staged in nearly all the towns in Taiwan, as well as overseas in countries including Japan, France, USA, Singapore, South Africa, and China. It is now the most accomplished non-government funded performance arts group in Taiwan.