How did you first encounter theatre?

Editor's note:

World Theatre Day, established by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), celebrates the performing arts globally on March 27 every year. It is a day where many TsinghuaRen discover and fall in love with theatre arts. Let us delve into their stories.

 

Liu Hao

A lecturer and associate professor at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua University, specializing in Shakespearean theatres and comparative studies of Chinese and Western cultures

 

Fu Guisheng

A lecturer at the Center for Arts Education of Tsinghua University with a focus on the history of Chinese theatre, theatrical theory, and playwriting.

 

Ye Zongyuliang

An undergraduate student from the Academy of Arts & Design, part of the Peking Opera team within the Student Art Troupe.

 

Yu Shibo

A senior student at Weiyang College, active in the Musical theatre club with a keen interest in the genre of musical theatre.

Your interaction with theatre 

at Tsinghua University

 

I participate in many salons and special performances organized by the Peking Opera team. I have starred in operas such as "Red Building Eryu", "Jade Bangle", "The Matchmaking Girl", "You Long Xi Feng" etc. Additionally, I am involved in some related off-campus activities to perform on large stages.  Furthermore, there are many activities like Peking Opera make-up salons and cultural lectures, which provide opportunities for more students at Tsinghua to appreciate the beauty of Peking Opera.

 

Immediately after enrolling, I joined the THU Student Musical Club, which has staged numerous musicals over the years. I also staged mini musicals in some class presentations as a form of innovative expression.

The theatre-related courses 

you have offered at Tsinghua

 

I teach courses like "Selected English Theatre" and "Shakespeare on Stage," where students explore theatre history and perform Shakespeare, gaining practical and theoretical insight. I advocate for lifelong learning through theatre literature, aiming for students to find personal relevance in these timeless works. Noting their English theatre engagement, I recommend the Kunqu opera "The Palace of Eternal Life" for a diverse experience.

 

I teach six courses on opera and theatre, from theory and history to appreciation and writing, like "Beijing and Kunqu Opera Appreciation" and "The History of Chinese and Foreign Theatres." My courses reflect my expertise and students' interests to foster their understanding and appreciation of the arts. I suggest "The Romance of the West Chamber" for its captivating and legendary story that reflects Chinese literary elegance.

What has theatre brought to you

 

A senior Shakespearean scholar replied that reading Shakespeare's plays helps us understand people who are very different from ourselves. I agree. Each character has a unique perspective and expression that is deeply relatable. Appreciating theatre enhances our ability to see issues from multiple angles and our capacity for empathy.

Additionally, as I am equally fond of Western theatre and classical Chinese theatre, I am often inspired by their distinct aesthetic features, some of which have developed into research ideas.

 

Theatre, which started as my academic focus, has become an integral part of my life. Reading theatrical literature and watching performances are indispensable aspects of my daily routine.

 

Studying is stressful and sometimes the competition is fierce. It is rare to settle down and do something that does not yield immediate results. In the process of learning and performing Peking Opera, I can be immersed in a state of focusing on something without a utilitarian purpose, which is very rare in the hectic pace of life and learning. At the same time, I have a deeper understanding and reflection on the beauty of traditional Chinese culture in the process of learning and stage practice.

 

Theatre has enabled and encouraged me to discover the other side of myself. It also cultivates my perception and understanding of the subtle part of social life, with its emphasis on empathy. But above all, I find myself relaxed and truly happy in rehearsals and performances.

Amid the rise of modern media, we can see that theatre as a form of art has an irreplaceable format of performance and audience interaction.

Oscar Wilde said, "I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being." With various theatre courses and activities, you can start your own story with theatre at Tsinghua.

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Meet the Deans｜School of Social Sciences

TsinghuaRen ｜ How did you first encounter theatre?

Writers: Chen Hongxin, Niu Junyi, Wang Xiyuan

Editors: Fang Si, Gillian Tang

Designer: Wang Xiyuan

Reviewers: Chen Ken, Lin Yuan