Supported by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, the 9th Summer School Chinese Traditional Opera Program was carried out smoothly from 17 June to 6 July under the careful planning of the International Exchange Center of Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA). This year, a total of 20 students from 14 countries and regions were admitted to the program.
During the three-week program, the students learned and experienced Chinese culture through many different ways such as lectures, cultural visits and observation of drama performances. In the practical training course, the students observed classical plays and learned from the selected scene works from such plays as “Qiu Jiang”, “Miss Julie” and “The Disciples of Confucius”. In the process of practical training, the students took the initiative to overcome language and cultural barriers, and quickly entered into the rehearsal state. The progress from speaking and understand Chinese poorly and singing out of tune at the beginning to being able to present the selected scene works of traditional Chinese opera in a complete manner was inseparable from the hard work of the STA teachers and the diligent study and swift reflection of the students.
The Summer School Chinese Traditional Opera Program and the Belt and Road Art Talent Training Program are the brand programs of international exchange in Shanghai Theatre Academy. After several years of operation with proven track record, these programs have accumulated a good reputation, with many foreign friends actively applying for enrolment every year. By promoting traditional culture and displaying the image of China, Shanghai Theatre Academy has enabled international friends to further understand the Chinese traditional opera and culture.
Schedule of 2019 Summer School Chinese Traditional Opera Program
17 June
Registration and Opening Ceremony
Lecture: Comparison between Western Drama and Chinese Traditional Opera (1)
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (1)
18 June
Lecture: Comparison between Western Drama and Chinese Traditional Opera (2)
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (2)
19 June
Lecture: Introduction to Chinese Traditional Opera (1)
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (3)
20 June
Workshop: Costume and Make-up of Chinese Traditional Opera
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (4)
21 June
Workshop: Music of Chinese Traditional Opera
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (5)
22 June
Free time for self-arrangement
23 June
Lecture: Introduction to Chinese Traditional Opera (2)
Lecture: Introduction to Chinese Traditional Opera (3)
24 June
Lecture: Introduction to Chinese Traditional Opera (4)
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (6)
25 June
Lecture: Land and Culture of China
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (7)
26 June
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (8)
27 June
Lecture: Society and Culture of China
28 June
Lecture: Aesthetics of Chinese Traditional Opera
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (10)
29 June
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (11)
Lecture: Peking Opera and Chinese Traditional Culture
30 June
Free time for self-arrangement
1 July
Day Trip to Zhujiajiao
2 July
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (12)
3 July
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (13)
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (14)
4 July
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (15)
Observation of “Belt and Road Art Talent Training Program” Closing Ceremony
5 July
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (16)
Chinese Traditional Opera Practical Training (17)
6 July
Closing Ceremony and Completion Performance
Farewell Dinner
