31 July 2019
On the evening f 29 July New York time, the New York Innovative Theatre Awards (NYIT) Gala was held at 158 Bleeker Street, New York. “Where Is My Maple Town”, the drama presented by the Shanghai Theatre Academy, was nominated for the Best Costume Design Award. This was also the first time that a theatre team from China had been nominated for the New York Innovative Theatre Awards. NYIT has been giving out awards every year since 2004 to commend and encourage outstanding Off-Broadway plays, with the view to further promoting them to an even larger stage, and to making audiences aware of the unique and important role that Off-Broadway plays in promoting American and global cultures. The selection process involves all levels of the New York theatre sector, i.e. ticket-buying audiences, Off-Broadway artists at all levels and professionals of New York theatres and entertainment industry who evaluate the works of each awards season.
The play was written by He Yuting, a graduate of STA majoring in dramaturgy. The script won the first prize of Tianhan Drama Award and the first prize of National Campus Drama Playwriting Competition, and was listed under the young playwright support program of the Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation. Teng Xiaopeng, a doctoral student in the STA Department of Directing, acted as the director of the New York performance. Li Ao, the stage designer, Gu Xiaoyang, the executive producer, and Bai Lena, the poster designer, were all high-achieving graduates of STA. The play had 11 performances on the Off-Broadway stage and received the attention and coverage by China Daily, Sino Vision China, World Journal and other international and domestic media. “Where Is My Maple Town” receiving award nomination in New York has reflected STA students' persistent pursuit and enthusiastic devotion for drama, and has also shown the style of STAers on the world stage.
