Project seeks to inject new blood into China's theaters

A project for young theater talent training and theater works incubation was launched in Beijing on Tuesday, aiming at supporting and encouraging young Chinese playwrights to create original work.

Supported by Beijing Culture and Arts Fund, the platform called Pei Yuan, will be open to young Chinese theater talent, who can submit their original work for consideration through Feb 29. Playwrights, whose work stands out among the others, will have the opportunity to work with veteran directors and actors to have their plays staged next year.

"Chinese playwright Cao Yu, at the age of 23, became famous overnight with his classic play, Thunderstorm. At 22, Chinese author Wang Meng wrote his life-changing work, The Young Newcomer in the Organization Department. We have many great writers, who achieved success at a young age. We need young Chinese writers today, whose work reflects and represents society," says Peng Tao, head of the dramatic literature department at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. "Now, I am working with my students on this project."

According to veteran Chinese actor Feng Yuanzheng-who has been working with the Beijing People's Art Theater since 1991 and is also a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference-the project started with his proposal about launching a fund for young Chinese playwrights during the 13th National Committee of the CPPCC, held in Beijing, in March 2018.