We are a school for theatre practitioners; our goal is to nurture creativity built upon the foundation of experience. Through practical experience, ideas gestate: we ponder life and the state of the world; we discern beauty and evil, gains and losses. Then we construct narratives illuminating the profundity of human nature, engaging in dialogue with our times, searching for life’s core values and making a contribution to society. We are forward-looking, standing at the cultural crossroads of China and the West, keeping abreast with the development of world theatre. We select and foster the best of the best, guiding the new creators of 21st century theatre.
Teaching and Learning
Theatre professionals must possess a solid technical foundation. Students should have unwavering dedication and discipline as they train in multiple areas: stage presence, body movement, speech delivery, musical proficiency (for actors); stage aesthetics, the language of theatre and leadership skills (for directors). They must accumulate experience and knowledge step by step, delving into different schools and genres of contemporary theatre. Our students benefit from the comprehensive approach of our school. They enroll in a wide range of courses designed to craft all-round professionals. Our course offerings include script analysis, applied theatre, dramaturgy, interdisciplinary projects, theatre history, literature and criticism. Knowledge is put into practice in our rehearsal studios and large and small theatres. We also arrange internships in professional theatre companies and organise overseas performances and workshops. All of the above provide fertile training ground for our students.
Global Links
Welcoming the World
Taking advantage of Hong Kong’s matchless geographical location, our school maintains close relationships with numerous internationally renowned artists. In the past academic year (2018-2019), we’ve invited the following luminaries to our school:
French musical master Claude-Michel Schonberg spoke about his creative work; two professors from London’s Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts—Neil Rutherford and Eddie Gower—coached students in musical theatre vocal technique.
Celebrated Canadian stage director Robert Lepage gave a public talk on the occasion of his appearance at the Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Solo theatre artist Shoko Ito (Japan), Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards (Italy), mask artist and expert Mariana Araoz (France), performing artist Tian Mansha (Chinese Mainland), New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Voice Studies Professor Richard Armstrong (USA), Barbara Santos, an expert of the Theatre of the Oppressed, and Florian Borchmeyer, Head of Dramaturgy, Schaubühne Berlin (Germany), Stefan Bläske, Head of Dramaturgy, National Theatre Ghent (Belgium) hosted demonstrations or workshops.
Experiencing the World
Every year, the school handpicks fine productions and plans overseas or China tours, creating opportunities for exchange performances. Students are also selected to take part in programmes at such institutions as Chung-Ang University (Korea), Shanghai Theatre Academy (China), Mozartuem University Salzburg (Austria), Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (UK), Texas Tech University (USA) and Odin Teatret (Denmark). Our students not only extend their professional skills because of such activities, but they also expand their cultural horizons, further enriching their creative prowess.
An All-Embracing Approach
In addition to their teaching duties, our faculty is active in international conferences and workshops. During the last academic year, members of our teaching staff have participated in the ATEC 11th International Forum at the Central Academy of Drama, Beijing (China), Symposium on Research-based Theatre at University of British Columbia (Canada), Social/Political in Drama and Theater Education Conference at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), the 9th Estill Voice Symposium in London (UK), as well as the Network for Higher Education in the Performing Art Conference organised by ITI/UNESCO, Devised Theatre and Performance organised by International Training and Research Centre for Theatre and Performance Makers, Breathing, Support and Estill Model Workshop in Sydney (Australia), Asian Dramaturgs' Network Conference 2019 (Singapore) and Asia Playwrights Festival in Incheon (Korea), among others. Moreover, our school collaborated with Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District in organising a three-year “Dramaturgy and Beyond” programme, inviting distinguished theatre practitioners to Hong Kong to host workshops and talks. All of our efforts are directed at this goal: to bring the world’s most advanced theatrical concepts and pedagogy to Hong Kong and to build an unrivalled curriculum to connect our students with the world.
URL: www.hkapa.edu/tch/