Recently, the Affiliated Dance School and the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Opera School of the Shanghai Theatre Academy both triumphed in the cultural and artistic track of the 2024 World Vocational College Skills Competition finals. The two schools respectively won first place gold medals in the dance performance and traditional Chinese opera performance categories.
In the dance performance category of the competition, there were 64 teams and 211 contestants from across the country.
In the past, dance competitions mostly tested the abilities of dancers as individuals, but this year's competition was newly upgraded, transforming from individual showcases to team participation.
Facing the new competition format, the Affiliated Dance School of the Shanghai Theatre Academy presented a performance composed of four distinctive classical dance works, including two original teaching pieces and two classic traditional pieces. This performance focused on the vocabulary and emotions of Chinese classical dance, with two designed parts, i.e. technical skill display and repertoire presentation. It highlighted the distinct personalities of the characters, demonstrated the professional level of high-caliber dance artists, and showcased the spirit, cultural heritage and inner essence of the Chinese nation. While displaying exquisite skills, it also paid special attention to aspects such as professional quality, application value, teamwork and innovation awareness.
To achieve good results in this competition, with the full support of the dance school, the instructors and contestants devoted themselves wholeheartedly to intensive training, meticulously choreographed, made daily progress, and ultimately won the championship.
In the traditional Chinese opera performance category of the competition, there were 46 teams and 145 contestants from across the country.
The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Opera School of the Shanghai Theatre Academy also noticed that this competition's format had significant changes compared to previous ones. In addition to professional skill displays, it also emphasized a comprehensive overall evaluation of the participating teams from aspects such as professional quality, application value, teamwork, and innovation and creativity, which clearly set higher requirements for the participating teams.
Under the meticulous organization of the traditional Chinese opera school, the guiding teachers and contestants overcame numerous obstacles, and achieved a historic breakthrough, with the concerted efforts and seamless cooperation of other teachers in their respective capacity as the team leader, scriptwriter and rehearsal instructor, as well as the band, stage design team and other behind-the-scenes personnel.
The Affiliated Dance School of the Shanghai Theatre Academy was also the organizer of the dance category competition in this event. With excellent organization, service and support, it successfully completed this honorable task and received unanimous praise from all parties concerned.
