On September 30, 2024, the launch ceremony for the “Drama is Great” Small Theater Performance Month took place at “Shaotang Shuchang” in Yangzhou. We spoke with Jiang Yong, the Deputy Director of the Yangzhou Municipal Publicity Department, who shared the city’s vision for this initiative. “Our goal is to deeply cultivate the Yangzhou ‘Drama is Great’ cultural brand through a series of continued small theater performances. We want to weave drama into everyday life and connect culture with tourism, creating a dynamic blend of heritage and innovation that opens up endless possibilities. Ultimately, our aim is to strengthen the cultural confidence that embodies the spirit of Yangzhou,” Jiang expressed.
The small theater serves as a critical bridge between artistic creation and making culture accessible, simultaneously boosting cultural industries and tourism. It plays an essential role in enriching the cultural life of the community. From late September through November this year, Yangzhou will host the Small Theater Performance Month, featuring a unique “6+18+100+1000” format. This includes six top-tier performances, 18 exceptional shows, over a hundred touring acts, and nearly a thousand small theater performances across a range of art forms such as traditional opera, dramas, folk arts, puppet shows, and children’s theater.
Jiang emphasized the significance of these productions, stating, “They not only celebrate traditions but also confront contemporary issues. They pay tribute to the classics while embracing an avant-garde spirit. These include carefully crafted works from state-run troupes and innovative contributions from emerging cultural groups as we explore the integration of culture and tourism.” During the Performance Month, activities like an “Outstanding Young Actors Art Sharing Session” and a small theater scriptwriting workshop will take place, embodying the original spirit and youthful energy that the Yangzhou “Drama is Great” brand aims to promote. Jiang also highlighted that in 2024, “Shaotang Shuchang” was recognized as a model for small theater development in Jiangsu province, with notable productions like the Yangzhou opera “A Thousand Miles to Send a Bride” and the puppet show “The Legend of Nezha” making the provincial list of outstanding performances.
At the event, the 2024 Yangzhou “Drama is Great” Outstanding Small Theater Case Study was presented, showcasing two exemplary scripts: “Zeng Yuliang,” a piece of Yangzhou storytelling, and the contemporary work “A River of Clear Water Flows North.” Additionally, four outstanding small theater programs were highlighted: the Yangzhou storytelling “Three Beats of the White-Bone Demon,” the immersive project “Canal City Secrets,” the Yangzhou opera “Three Rivers and Tiger City,” and the children’s play “Ha Ha… Journey to the West.”
