The 2026 Nankai University–Taiwan University of Arts Summer Drama and Cultural Exchange Week was held in Tianjin from June 30 to July 3. A highlight of the week was the multilingual closing performance, “Drama Night”, which kicked off at Cao Yu Theatre on the evening of July 3. Faculty members and students jointly staged six productions. The Tianjin–Taiwan Drama and Aesthetic Education Community for Universities, Secondary Schools and Primary Schools was also officially inaugurated. The community aims to connect drama and aesthetic education resources across schools at different levels in Tianjin and Taiwan, creating a platform for cultural exchanges among young people.

Inauguration of the Tianjin–Taiwan Drama and Aesthetic Education Community for Universities, Secondary Schools and Primary Schools

A scene from A Miserable Day of Chen Baohuei, performed by Taiwan University of Arts

A scene from Nankai University's English-language production of Hua Mulan

A scene from Nankai University’s Italian-language production of Thunderstorm

A scene from Only This Green, performed by Nankai University Affiliated Middle School in Tianjin

A scene from Mencius’s Mother Moves Three Times, performed by Tianjin Wanquan Primary School

A scene from Kindling the Light, performed by Tianjin No. 43 Middle School

Following the inauguration ceremony, the joint drama showcase began with A Miserable Day of Chen Baohuei presented by Taiwan University of Arts. The program also featured Nankai University’s English-language production of Hua Mulan and Italian-language production of Thunderstorm, followed by the dance Only This Green, the traditional play Mencius’s Mother Moves Three Times, and the contemporary-themed play Kindling the Light, presented by Nankai University Affiliated Middle School, Wanquan Primary School and Tianjin No. 43 Middle School, respectively. The six diverse performances brought together students from universities, secondary schools and primary schools, showcasing the progress made in jointly developing drama and aesthetic education in Tianjin and Taiwan.

The exchange week featured three components: professional teaching seminars, practical stage production, and urban cultural study visits. Through the sharing of theatrical skills, hands-on stage practice and exploration of cultural roots, it sought to promote deeper engagement among young people. Teachers from the two universities jointly led specialist sessions. Vallini Letizia, an international faculty member at Nankai University’s School of Foreign Studies, conducted a drama workshop. Chen Yan-ting, Chair of the Department of Drama at Taiwan University of Arts, gave systematic instruction in stage combat choreography and performance safety. Shi Yuchen from Nankai University’s School of Foreign Studies shared practical experience in adapting traditional Chinese literature into multiple languages and introducing it to international audiences. Hsu Chih-hui, former Chair of the Department of Drama at Taiwan University of Arts, offered a cross-cultural comparison drawing on Brechtian theory and the Yue opera The Good Person of Szechwan. Afterwards, teachers and students held in-depth exchanges on theatrical creation and aesthetic education.

Teachers and students visit Tianjin Ancient Culture Street to experience local culture

Teachers and students take part in an immersive performance of the Tianjin-style play The Great River Flows East at the Tianjin Theatre Museum

During the exchange week, teachers and students visited Tianjin Ancient Culture Street and sites associated with intangible cultural heritage, including the Yangliuqing Painting Workshops, Clay Figurine Zhang and Darentang. They also experienced aspects of everyday Tianjin life, such as making jianbing guozi, a local savory crepe. At the Tianjin Theatre Museum (Guangdong Guild Hall), Wan Lin, a national first-class performer from the Tianjin Peking Opera Theatre, led an open Peking opera class. Young participants learned to paint opera facial masks, practice water-sleeve movements and rehearse stage steps. They also participated in an immersive performance of the Tianjin-style play The Great River Flows East, experiencing the artistic appeal of traditional Chinese opera firsthand.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)