The 9th China Campus Drama Festival will kick off in Chengdu

The 9th China Campus Drama Festival recently held a press conference in Chengdu, announcing key details about the upcoming event set to take place from November 12 to 22. This biennial festival, established in 2008 by the China Dramatists Association, stands as a significant national event geared towards promoting campus culture, enhancing the quality education of young students, and fostering the development of campus theater across the country.

According to the organizers, the festival is the only nationwide drama event focused on students and schools. The previous eight editions have successfully attracted participation from educational institutions across China. This year’s festival, hosted by the China Dramatists Association and organized by the Chengdu Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism, has also received robust support from the Chengdu Education Bureau and the Chengdu Federation of Literary and Art Circles, with execution by the Chengdu Research Institute of Sichuan Opera.

This year, the festival has introduced a new channel for drama submissions, allowing for both recommendations from various regional drama associations and direct applications to the organizing committee. This led to a significant influx of interest, with 355 productions submitted from primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. The submissions included 143 large productions, 58 smaller traditional operas, and 153 short plays, encompassing various dramatic forms.

Overall, the range of performances is remarkable, featuring 201 spoken dramas, 71 traditional operas spanning 30 different genres including Peking Opera and Yue Opera, 24 musicals, 8 dance dramas, and other forms such as operas and physical theater. Following a stringent selection process, 39 productions were ultimately chosen to participate, including 18 major plays, 8 smaller operas, and 10 short or textbook adaptations, alongside 2 showcase experiences.

The festival’s lineup is extraordinary, showcasing a diverse range of participants—from professional theater schools and comprehensive universities to key institutions directly under the Ministry of Education, as well as local colleges and even elementary and middle schools. This extensive participation reflects the festival’s commitment to inclusivity, exemplifying how it addresses all age groups passionate about drama across the nation.

Chengdu will host a total of 24 vibrant performances, offering a glimpse into the dynamic and varied theatrical culture present in contemporary educational settings. Continuing the fine tradition of post-performance discussions, the festival will feature insights from young and mid-career experts in fields such as drama literature, performance, education, and criticism.

In addition to the performances, the festival will feature the “Campus Drama Forum,” a themed event to reflect on the history of the festival and discuss the future of campus drama. Most performances will be held in campus theaters, encouraging participation not only from students and faculty but also from the wider community.

Furthermore, the event will deepen collaborations with the Chengdu education system, launching an initiative called “One Play, One School.” This initiative will coincide with the festival’s activities, offering specialized training as part of the “National Primary and Secondary School Drama Education Promotion Plan,” along with a variety of workshops, lectures, and salons related to the dramatic arts.