Making a song and dance of it

In recent years, musical theater has developed a burgeoning following in China with both domestic and international productions, attracting growing interest. This surge in popularity was a key topic at a recent forum about musical theater at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on Wednesday and Thursday.

Co-initiated by the Tianqiao performing arts center and the Central Academy of Drama, the forum gathered industry leaders, musical producers, directors and performers to discuss the changing dynamics of the Chinese musical theater landscape. It not only celebrated the domestic growth of musicals but also offered key insights into what is driving this cultural shift.

Once a niche art form, musical theater has become a mainstream cultural phenomenon, according to Hao Rong, president of the Central Academy of Drama, a top university based in Beijing.

"The school opened its musical department in 1992, one of the earliest art schools in the country to do so. Over the past 30 years, we've trained musical directors, scriptwriters and performers, as well as witnessed dramatic changes to the musical theater scene in the country," Hao says.

"Musicals in China are no longer just a curiosity for niche theater lovers. The genre has crossed over into the cultural mainstream and we're seeing an audience that is more diverse, enthusiastic and knowledgeable than ever," he adds.