Today (27 March) is the annual World Theatre Day. World Theatre Day was created by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1962 to act as a wake-up-call for the whole world to see the value and importance of the art form of theatre. 2022 marks the 60^th anniversary of World Theatre Day.

Every year, ITI selects a famous figure in performing arts as the author of World Theatre Day Message. From 1962 to today, 60 significant theatre figures contributed their thoughts on theatre, culture, and peace through World Theatre Day Messages. The World Theatre Day 2022 Message Author is the theatre, opera and festival director, Peter Sellars.

In the message, Peter Sellars points out that “Theater is the creation on earth of the space of equality between humans, gods, plants, animals, raindrops, tears, and regeneration.” He advocates that “This is a time for deep refreshment of our minds, of our senses, of our imaginations, of our histories, and of our futures. This work cannot be done by isolated people working alone. This is work that we need to do together. Theater is the invitation to do this work together.”

On 27 March every year, the performing arts communities around the world hold the World Theatre Day celebrations in a variety of forms and listen to the World Theatre Day Message. This year, the World Theatre Day Online Celebration organized by ITI will focus on the young and emerging artists around the world, and will offer the next generation of artists and art professionals a platform to exchange ideas and present themselves. 37 emerging artists from all over the world will participate and present their works and projects through videos, and make their voice heard by the world through theatre.

At present, the pandemic prevention and control in Shanghai is in the most arduous stage. Despite by the uncertainties and challenges brought by the pandemic, the Shanghai Theatre Academy, as a renowned art university, still actively participates in the World Theatre Day 60^th Anniversary Worldwide Online Celebration. For this, we have made a video of STA performance highlights. Our students of the Chinese Opera School affiliated to STA are also selected into the Emerging Artists’ Performances. Through the showcase on World Theatre Day, we will better introduce and present the Shanghai Theatre Academy to the world, and also demonstrate STA’s firm confidence in the fight against the pandemic.

The World Theatre Day Online Celebration will happen online at 8 pm, 27 March, Beijing time, organized by ITI.

Click the link below to visit the World Theatre Day official website, and to watch the celebration:

www.world-theatre-day.org

Click the link below to read the full text of the World Theatre Day 2020 Message and the biography of the message author:

https://world-theatre-day.org/messageauthor.html

Click the link below to watch the video of STA performance lights:

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ATFY_9ze6SBisObx1BW92g