15 October 2020
Many people have the experience of watching performances in the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) Experimental Theatre, but its stage is still a mysterious existence for most of the audience.
With the organization of the STA Performing Arts Center, the STA Experimental Theatre held its first Stage Open Day for members of the general public and students of STA on 14 October, which took the participants for a guided tour of the stage to explore the charm of the theatre and feel the power of drama.
This theater, which was built in 1986, is the place where a galaxy of outstanding talents of theatre, film and television embark on their journey, and carries the shared memory of STA students and audience. At the same time, it is also a famous venue on Huashan Road frequently visited by internet celebrities, and people are attracted to come by its reputation and leave their memories in front of the entrance of STA’s Huashan Road Campus.
More than 30 people registered and were eventually approved for joining the first Stage Open Day of STA Experimental Theatre. They came from all walks of life. Some were students preparing for postgraduate entrance examination, and some were art lovers who have become parents. The youngest participant was only eight years old. All of them had a common characteristic, i.e. great curiosity and keen interest in drama and stage.
The Stage Open Day coincided with the performance of the drama "Nonsense Manufacturer", for which the main creative team of this play is from the Stage Design Department of STA, thus making it possible for the participants to have a zero distance "value-added" communication with the main creators.
Nuerxiaer Aihamaiti, a doctoral student of STA majoring in lighting design, introduced the basic structure and operation mode of the stage of STA Experimental Theatre, including the functions of various parts of the stage and different types of lighting.
Obviously, it was the first time for many participants to stand and walk on a stage, and as such they were full of curiosity about everything on the stage. During the Q&A time, they had an enthusiastic exchange with Nuerxiaer Aihamaiti, the guide of this part of the tour, on lighting, setting and other related things.
Ying Zhaoyi, the director and playwright of "Nonsense Manufacturer", who graduated from the theater management major of STA’s Stage Design Department in 2017, introduced the creation concept and performance style of the play to the participants, and explained the main work of the stage manager in the play based on his own professional knowledge. The little participants noticed two very interesting puppets on the side stage. After introduction, they came to know that these puppets were the props of the play, which were designed by Yu Lei, an alumnus of STA’s Stage Design Department.
In the future, the STA Experimental Theatre will continue to create more opportunities for stage visits and let more and more members of the general public and students enter the stage to feel the warmth of our theater and stage are warm.
