On 10 May 2023, the inauguration ceremony of experimental spaces of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Key Laboratory of Digital Performing Arts Integration and Innovation and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Virtual Performing Art for the new campus, as well as the signing ceremony for the cooperation between the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the Leyard Group, was held at the Changlin Campus. Tie Zhong, Director of the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Virtual Performing Art (VPA), presided over the ceremony.
Liu Zhixin, Dean of the Creative Studies College and Director of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Key Laboratory of Digital Performing Arts Integration and Innovation, delivered a speech and introduced the historical evolution and main research directions of the two laboratories.
Tie Zhong, Director of the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Virtual Performing Art (VPA), introduced the construction of the laboratory and the main research and creative projects.
Li Jun, Chairman of the Leyard Group, delivered a speech, expressing the hope to further deepen cooperation with STA and fully leverage the role of the laboratory in talent cultivation.
Zhou Jing from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology delivered a speech on behalf of Zhong Dongting, Director of the Laboratory Department of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, expressing the hope that the laboratory construction will focus on its own characteristics and advantages, and create an influential and leading platform for cultural and artistic creation and innovation in China.
Huang Changyong, President of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, and Li Jun, Chairman of the Leyard Group, jointly unveiled the plaque for the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Virtual Performing Art.
Wu Aili, Director of the Development Planning Office of Shanghai Theatre Academy, introduced the laboratory facilities and other information.
Zhi Yunbo, Director of the Research Department of Shanghai Theatre Academy, stated that the Research Department will actively support the construction of experimental spaces.
Wang Jun, President of the Shanghai Film (Group) Co Ltd, said that the laboratory is a good incubation base and is of great significance for talent cultivation.
Liu Yihui, co-founder of Apature, introduced Apature’s corporate brand and its development trend of digitalization.
Chu Da, Head of Education - Greater China, Epic Games, stated that the company will bring the latest filming technology and the complete virtual production process to the Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Cao Yu, founder of AME, expressed the hope that as a growth platform for youth, the laboratory would produce talents of cutting-edge film and television technologies with its advantageous resources.
Huang Changyong, President of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, delivered a concluding speech, thanking the various enterprises for their support of the two laboratories and hoping that the two laboratories will continue to advance on the road of innovation.
After the ceremony, the guests attending the event visited two new laboratory spaces and toured the Graduation Works Exhibition of Class of 2023 Students of Creative Studies College titled "Seeing the Future".
