At the flag-raising ceremony last week, Ms Jiang, Ms Tang, and our theatre prefect, Thomas Chen, shared their feelings and thoughts on their enthusiasm for theatre.
在上周的升旗仪式中，蒋老师、汤老师以及戏剧干事Thomas同学分享了他们对戏剧艺术的热情和深刻感受。
Cultivating Drama with Passion, Enriching Life through Theatre
以热爱浇灌戏剧 以戏剧丰满人生
Ms Angel Tang
Today, I would like to discuss “creativity” through drama. Some students may perceive creativity as a challenging endeavor, but in reality, it is both simple and joyful, and it can infuse life with excitement. Last year, Ms Jiang and I decided to embark on a project to create original Chinese productions. The reason for pursuing originality is that we do not wish to merely replicate or follow the paths already taken by others; instead, we aim to guide our students in creating something that is entirely our own.
As a result, I adapted a novel I had written long ago into a script titled “快乐星球 haha land.” The process of scriptwriting is indeed a creative act, representing a journey from zero to one. However, it is the efforts of all the crew members transform that one into a hundred.
Throughout this process, I witnessed the actors pouring their understanding of their characters into their performances, revealing aspects of the characters that were not explicitly written in the script. I observed the design team infusing their creativity into every detail of the posters and tickets. I also saw the costume and prop design team dedicating their spare time to crafting the backdrop. Of course, without the innovative contributions of the translation team, we would not have arrived at the perfect English title “Haha Land”. Everything involved is a form of creation. Ultimately, the play presented on stage is the result of a collective effort, a culmination of hard work, and it embodies the joy and sense of achievement of everyone involved.
Therefore, we have decided to continue this endeavor. This year, we have created a second original Chinese production titled “大圣归来.” Creativity is inexhaustible, and the passion for creation will never cease. Because of our passion for it, we are continuously motivated; because of our passion, we will eventually reunite on the stage of the drama.
今天，我想通过戏剧来探讨“创造力”这一话题。有些学生可能会把创造力看作一项具有挑战性的任务，但在现实生活中，它既简单又充满乐趣，能够为我们的生活注入活力。
去年，蒋老师和我共同发起了一个创作原创中国戏剧的项目。之所以追求原创性，是因为我们不想仅仅模仿或遵循他人已经走过的道路；相反，我们期望激发学生创造出真正属于我们自己的作品。
因此，我将多年前撰写的一部小说改编成了名为“快乐星球haha land”的剧本。剧本创作确实是一种创造性活动，象征着从无到有的过程。然而，正是全体工作人员的共同努力，将这一过程化为现实。
在整个过程中，我见证了演员们将自己对角色的深刻理解融入到表演之中，从而展现出剧本中未明确阐述的角色深层特质。同时，我也目睹了设计团队如何将创意巧妙地融入海报设计和票务系统的每一个细节之中。
此外，服装与道具设计团队在业余时间里精心打造背景，也令人印象深刻。当然，翻译团队的创新贡献同样不可或缺，正是他们赋予了我们完美的英文剧名“Haha Land”。
所有这些，都属于创造性工作的范畴。最终，舞台上所呈现的戏剧作品，是集体智慧与辛勤劳动的成果，它凝聚了所有参与者的心血与汗水，同时也映射出大家内心的喜悦与成就感。
基于此，我们决定持续致力于此项目。本年度，我们制作了第二部原创中文力作《大圣归来》。创造力之深邃无边，对创新的热忱亦是永无止境。正是出于对这一领域的热爱，我们得以持续获得激励；同样因为这份热爱，我们终将在戏剧的舞台上再度聚首。
Theatre Prefect — Thomas Chen
The word “passion” has gained an increasing amount of attention following the unique performance of the Chinese stand-up comedian 付航. His passion lays within comedy. But what is passion? I believe it is something worthy of your dedication, a pursuit you can immerse yourself in entirely. For me, that passion is theatre.
So, how did I discover this profound love for theatre? It was a gradual realization. Unlike when doing my math homework, I wouldn’t feel the urge to check WeChat moment when reading a script. Theatre captivates me in a way that few other activities can. It’s not just about performing; it’s a vibrant process of exploration and discovery. Each character, each scene, and each line of dialogue offers an opportunity to understand not only the story being told but also the intricacies of human emotion and connection.
I was casted as the lead role in my very first production “A Lighter Shade of Noir”, but the path ahead is covered with spikes and uncertainty. I would have not conquered the stage it if it wasn’t for the patience of the directors and the support from all peers. It’s a privilege to be apart of the Gubei Community, surrounded by people who share mutual appreciation for theatre, and where talent is always reserved a spark where it will be ignited into flame. If theatre is your passion too, don’t hesitate.
Although, the same opportunities and environment might not apply to everyone, I still deeply encourage you to keep the flame of passion alive in our souls. It’s essential to protect and nurture that inner spark, whether it’s through hobbies, interests, or creative outlets. Passion can be a guiding light in the darkest of times, this individuality reminds us of what we love and what makes us feel alive. It’s influence and effect exist far beyond ourselves.
在中国脱口秀衣演员付航的独特表演之后，“激情”这一概念逐渐引起了公众的广泛关注。他所展现的激情，主要体现在喜剧领域。然而，何为激情？在我看来，激情是指那些值得我们全心投入、倾注心血的事物。对我而言，那份激情便是戏剧。
那么，我是如何发现自己对戏剧深深的热爱的呢？这是一段渐进的自我发现之旅。与完成数学作业时不同，当我沉浸在剧本阅读中时，我没有查看微信朋友圈的冲动。
戏剧以其独特的方式深深吸引了我，它不仅仅是一场表演，更是一个充满活力的探索与发现过程。每一个角色、每一个场景、每一句台词，都为我提供了洞察故事和人类情感细微之处的机会。
我在第一部戏剧作品《A Lighter Shade of Noir》中有幸扮演了主角，但前方的道路充满了挑战与未知。如果没有老师们的耐心和伙伴们的支持，我可能无法站上舞台。能够成为协和古北的一员，与一群对戏剧充满热情、彼此尊重的伙伴们并肩工作，实为一种荣耀。在这样的环境中，才华得以被激发，如同火焰般熊熊燃烧。对于同样热爱戏剧的您，请你不要迟疑。
尽管相同的机遇与环境未必适合每个人，但我依旧极力倡导大家保持内心激情之火的持续燃烧。无论是通过爱好、兴趣抑或创造性表达，维护和培育内心之火花均至关重要。激情能在最黯淡的时刻成为引领我们的灯塔，这种特质提醒我们珍视何物，何种事物能赋予我们活力。其影响力与作用远超乎我们自身。
Ms Liv Jiang
Thank you, Ms Tang and Thomas. Creativity and passion are indeed what theatre can bring to us. As a member from theatre department, I also want to talk about how theatre can really transform us on a personal level.
Performing isn’t just for the chosen few; it’s something we all have in us. Every single one of us can act! Theatre does not just shape who you are; it could be the backbone of your life and pave your way in the future.
For starter, it is a surefire way to pump up your self-esteem. It doesn’t just boost your confidence in your acting chops; it spills over into every corner of your life. When you’re working on a theatre project, you’ve got to collaborate with your crew, share ideas, and think about how to make your message hit home with the audience.
And because theatre is about teamwork, you find yourself facing fresh challenges every day, brainstorming solutions, and crafting the best game plan for whatever task is at hand. Plus, it helps you get a grip on what makes others tick, building up your emotional intelligence and strengthening your relationships with your peers.
And let’s be real—theatre is a blast! You don’t have to stress about mastering all the skills I mentioned above. You’ll naturally grow while having a great time with the art of drama. That’s the real magic of Theatre!
Just recently, I caught a performance of Hamlet by The Schaubühne Theatre Company in Shanghai. They flipped the script on the classic Hamlet using some cutting-edge theatrical techniques, and it hit me: Theatre is all about telling a story to the audience in the moment, helping you see life clearly and carve out your own path. To be or not to be? That is a question. But at least you start to get a clearer picture of your life goals and become motivated to chase them down.
Over the past 50 years, theater has kept evolving and growing. Applied drama has taken off, proving that drama can be a game-changer in fields like psychotherapy and education. More and more people are waking up to the power of drama, pushing us to broaden our view of what theatre can do. In Gubei campus, we’ve never stopped exploring the world of theatre.
This week, we’re kicking off our first THEATRE FESTIVAL event, where the theatre department, along with other enthusiastic teachers and students, has put together a whole lineup of exciting drama activities. We’re rolling out the red carpet for all teachers and students to join in; being part of the audience is the fastest way to dive into the theatre experience. Trust me, it’s going to be an unforgettable theatrical extravaganza! Thank you!
感谢汤老师和Thomas同学的分享。的确，戏剧艺术能够赋予我们创造力与激情。作为戏剧系的一员，我也想谈谈戏剧如何从个人层面上改变我们。
表演不仅仅是少数人的特权；这是我们每个人内心都有的东西。我们每个人都可以表演！戏剧不仅塑造你的性格；它还可能成为你生活的支柱，为你的未来铺平道路。
首先，它是一种肯定自我价值的可靠方式。它不仅提升你在表演方面的自信；它还会渗透到你生活的方方面面。当你在从事戏剧项目时，你必须与团队合作、分享想法，并考虑如何让信息触动观众。
因为戏剧是团队合作的艺术，你每天都会面临新的挑战，集思广益，为手头的任何任务制定最佳计划。此外，它有助于你了解他人的动机，提高你的情商，并加强你与同龄人的关系。
让我们面对现实吧——戏剧真的很有趣！你不必担心要掌握我刚才提到的所有技能。在享受戏剧艺术的同时，你会自然而然地成长，并且享受其中的乐趣。这就是戏剧真正的魅力所在！
就在不久前，我在上海观看了邵宾纳剧院的作品《哈姆雷特》。他们运用了一些前沿的戏剧技巧对这部经典作品进行了改编，让我意识到：戏剧就是在当下向观众讲述故事，帮助你清楚地看待生活并开辟自己的道路。“生存还是毁灭？”这是一个问题。但至少你开始对人生目标有了更清晰的认识，并有了追求它们的动力。
在过去的50年里，戏剧一直在不断发展和壮大。应用戏剧已经兴起，证明戏剧可以在心理治疗和教育等领域带来变革性的影响。越来越多的人意识到戏剧的力量，推动我们扩大对戏剧所能做到的事情的认识。在协和古北，我们从未停止探索戏剧世界的脚步。
本周，我们将举办首届戏剧节活动，戏剧系以及其他热心的老师和学生共同策划了一系列令人兴奋的戏剧活动。我们将铺上红地毯，欢迎所有老师和学生参与其中。作为观众是体验戏剧最快捷的方式。我深信，这将是一场令人难忘的戏剧盛宴！谨此致谢。
