The Central Academy of Drama

The maiden seat of higher education in the field of theatre in the People’s Republic of China, the Central Academy of Drama has been grooming Chinese and foreign talents in theater, film and TV since its establishment in the middle part of the 1900s. Affiliated to the China’s Ministry of Education, it is ranked as a top-level educational institution. An epicenter of experimental theatre, this research institution has been at the forefront of the revolutionary trends of Chinese drama and visual arts.

ROOTS: The roots of this cultural hub have been traced to the Yan An Lu Xun Art College that was established on April 10, 1938. It was however in December 1949 that the Central Academy of Drama was formally opened and its inaugural function was organized on April 2, 1950.

NOMENCLATURE: A significant aspect of the nomenclature of the central institute of drama and stage arts is that it inscribed in calligraphy by Chairman Mao Zedong himself. This reputed institution is often referred to as the ‘Central Drama Academy’ and also ‘‘Central Drama College’.

LOCATION: Located in Beijing, the abbreviation of the Academy is Zhong Xi connoting ‘Central Drama’.

THE CAMPUS: Of the two campuses of the Central Academy of Drama, the newly constructed one is on the Hong Fu Middle Rd No.4, Changping District while the older one is at Dong Mianhua Hutong No. 39, Dongcheng District. The construction area is spread over an area of 180,000 sq meters while the total area of both the institution grounds is about 230,000 sq meters.

PEDAGOGY: The Central Academy of Drama offers training in all the genres of stage and drama planning and direction. There are the following 10 programs run by the departments of Acting, Dance Drama, Direction, Dramatic Literature, Film and TV Arts, Musical Theatre, Peking Opera, Stage Design, Theatre Management, and Western Opera.

The institution’s master’s degree and doctor’s degree authorization centers in Studies of Drama (Film & TV), and Theory Studies of Art as well as the post-doctoral research station for art studies have earned worldwide acclaim.

The Academy offers majors at the undergraduate level in the following disciplines (in an alphabetical order): Acting; Art Broadcast & Anchoring; Design for Drama; Directing, Film & TV; Film & TV; Literature on Drama; Public Utilities Management; and Theater Studies.

PHILOSOPHY: The philosophy of Central Academy of Drama has been marked by a macrocosmic all-embracing approach as is apt for an institution dedicated to the flowering of talents in histrionics. It upholds realism and weds it to the ancient traditional Chinese aesthetic heritage while welcoming and embracing the enlightening explorations in the sector from across the globe.

STRATEGY: The secret of success of the Academy has been its focus on consolidation of the basics, and strengthening practice by stressing on beauty, creation and genuineness.

FUTURISTIC VISION: The Central Academy of Drama has been constantly upgrading itself in tune with the advances in the education sector and the global theater. It has carved a niche in the field of histrionics and is determined to keep its ensign flying high. It encourages innovations by individuals and organizations; and actively participates in cultural and research exchanges with all the prominent drama education institutions from across the globe. As a result, the Academy has been able to be one of the world’s topmost academic bodies.

MILESTONES: A significant section of the graduates of the Central Academy of Drama are internationally renowned artists, scholars and writers playing pivotal roles in the overall development of Chinese drama, film and the small screen.

The Academy is the headquarters of the ATEC (Asia Theatre Education Centre) and also of the China Alliance of Theatre Higher Educational Institutes. This internationally reputed institution of stage arts and drama is also the venue for the International Theatre Festival organized by the GATS (Global Alliance of Theatre Schools).

CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: The Central Academy of Drama is the sole national-level experimental hub for the tapping of talents in musical acting. It is not only the sole state-level demonstration center for experimental teaching in drama particularly in TV and the big screen but also the only state-level institution to offer courses in acting; and major in the genre of direction.

NATIONAL & GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS: The Academy is the headquarters of a number of national and international organizations connected to the creative world of theater. Mention can be made of the China Association of Stage Arts, the China Centre of International Association of Theatre Critics, the China Collaborative Innovation Center for Theatre Arts Management, the China Centre of OISTAT, the Committee of Directing Arts of China Theater Association, the Committee of Directing Arts of China Theater Association, the Committee of Performing Arts of China Drama Art Institute, and the Education Committee of China Musical Theatre Institute.

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