13 November 2018

From 4 to 9 November 2018, led by Professor Li Zhenlin, five doctoral students and four master's students from Shanghai Theatre Academy visited The City University of New York for exchange and study.

The City University of New York, founded in 1847, is one of the largest public universities in the United States. The destination of the visit was the Graduate Center of The City University of New York.

On the first day of the exchange, Professor Marvin from the Graduate Center of The City University of New York introduced the general situation of New York City to the students, including street orientation, Broadway orientation, theatre distribution, urban district functions, etc., which enabled the students to have an intuitive impression on the urban structure of New York. Students exchanged and discussed with Professor Marvin about the status of New York as a theatre center and a film center, as well as the current development of American cultural industry. Professor Marvin's enthusiastic and in-depth analysis benefited students a lot.

Professor Peter Eckersall and Professor Frank of the Graduate Center of The City University of New York introduced the general situation of the Graduate Center of The City University of New York. The Graduate Center has 13 doctoral programs and 20 research centers. Professor Peter Eckersall highlighted the Segal Theatre Center of the Graduate School of The City University of New York and the guiding philosophy of the doctoral programs. The training mode of the doctoral programs of The City University of New York includes academic training and teaching training, which are essential skills for future professional teaching. In the course of research, it is very beneficial to stimulate inspiration through exchange with students from all over the world. Professor Frank shared his innovative ideas in theatre research methods and thinking modes. Meanwhile, he also mentioned the arrangement of important academic seminars and the use of school electronic resources at the Segal Theatre Centre, which provided enlightenment for students in research methods.

On the afternoon of 8 November, the teachers and students of the STA visiting group and some of the teachers and students of The City University of New York watched the experimental dance “The Magnificent Peony Dreams” of Yin Mei, a Chinese American dancer. The dance performed by Yin Mei and two young dancers embodied the integration of Chinese calligraphy art and dance art. This innovative dance form dazzled the audience and draw great admiration of them. After the performance, Professors Marvin, Frank and Li Zhenlin exchanged and discussed the dance works with Yin Mei. The tour ended with an enthusiastic discussion on the integration of Chinese traditional culture and Western culture. The charm of experimental art lies not only in the integration and innovation, but also in the ingenious expression of ideas, feelings and artistic skills and the interconnection of ancient, modern, Chinese and foreign art forms.

Several professors from The City University of New York will visit Shanghai Theatre Academy in late November. More beneficial activities of academic and artistic exchange will be carried out between the two universities.