During the troupe's visit to France, Wu will share her Yuju Opera expertise through two lectures. The first will be hosted on June 30 at the China Cultural Center in Paris and the second will take place during the festival. In these sessions, she will introduce Yuju Opera makeup, costumes and acting techniques by combining lecture with live demonstrations.
"In my initial vision, I'll be seated onstage before the lectures begin, with my makeup on. As the audience members arrive, I'll attach hair extensions, put on the headpieces, and finally don the costumes piece by piece," Wu says.
This way, the audience will have the chance to witness the elaborate preparations of Chinese opera performers before each performance. Along with support from other troupe members, Wu will introduce and demonstrate the four fundamental skills of Chinese opera — singing, speaking, acting and martial arts.
The lectures will also incorporate interactive elements and Q&A sessions, allowing the audience members to ask questions or join her on stage to learn the movements.
"One of the great charms of traditional Chinese opera is that it requires performers with in-depth and comprehensive skills. Yuju Opera in particular, has been passed down through time and continues to evolve, which allows it to enjoy a wide, dedicated audience today," Wang says.
"As a representative of the Chen School, Wu is an admirable artist dedicated to perfecting her craft, and who is firmly committed to preserving and passing down the art form. With the upcoming performances, she is bringing Chinese culture onto an international stage.
"Hopefully, the audiences will develop an interest in traditional Chinese opera and want to explore it further."
