On 18 May, the 8th ATEC Asian Theatre Schools Festival 2026, hosted by the Asia Theatre Education Centre (ATEC) and organised by the Central Academy of Drama (CAD), kicked off at the Changping Campus of CAD.
The event brought together representatives from seventeen theatre schools and professional institutions from across Asia and beyond. Guests and representatives from ATEC member institutions present at the opening ceremony included: Ms WAN Lijun, Former Deputy Director-General of the Department of Physical, Health and Arts Education, Ministry of Education of China, Vice President of the China Committee for Promoting Art Education; Mr XU Yongsheng, Director-General of ATEC, Representative of CAD; Mr Choi Jae-Oh, Vice Director-General of ATEC, Representative of Chung-Ang University, ROK; Mr YIN Xiaodong, Vice Director-General of ATEC, Representative of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts; Mr Pham Dac Thi, Executive Director of ATEC, Representative of the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, Vietnam; Mr Rei Poh Cheng Leong, Director of ATEC, Representative of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, Singapore; Mr Nie Wei, Director of ATEC, Representative of the Shanghai Theatre Academy; Mr WONG Lung Pun Tony, Director of ATEC, Representative of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, China; Mr Yim Chang-Ju, Director of ATEC, Representative of Cheongwon University, ROK; Ms Ariunjoloo Myagmardorj, Director of ATEC, Representative of the Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, Mongolia; Mr William Anthony Liotta, Director of ATEC, Representative of the University of New Mexico, the USA; Mr Leon David Rubin, Director of ATEC, Representative of the LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore; Mr LUO Jinlin, ATEC Advisor; Mr Munehiro Toda, Secretary-General of ATEC; Ms LI Huizhen, Deputy Secretary-General of ATEC; as well as representatives of faculty and students. Also present at the opening ceremony were the heads of all teaching and administrative departments at CAD. DONG Bingyu, a faculty member of the Department of Film & TV Art at CAD, served as host for the opening ceremony.
Ms WAN Lijun delivered remarks on behalf of the China Committee for Promoting Art Education. She expressed her sincere respect to all those who have long dedicated themselves to theatre exchange and cooperation across Asia. She said that art is a language that transcends borders, while theatre flourishes through mutual learning and exchange. Asia is home to a rich and profound cultural heritage. Across the continent, diverse peoples have given rise to a remarkable variety of theatrical forms. This festival aims to tell compelling Asian stories, strengthening cross-cultural understanding, and deepening people-to-people connections. It promotes the international dissemination of outstanding traditional Chinese culture while encouraging greater appreciation of the world's diverse artistic traditions. More importantly, it provides a vibrant stage for young theatre practitioners across Asia to exchange ideas and inspire one another. She looked forward to enjoying a wide range of distinctive performances, with this festival serving as a bridge that brings together the wisdom of theatre institutions throughout Asia, opening a new chapter in the development of Asian theatre arts. She expected young theatre practitioners to remain true to their love for theatre and contribute their unique voice and creativity to the continued vitality and prosperity of Asian theatre.
Ms WAN Lijun deliverign remarks
Mr Pham Dac Thi gave a speech on behalf of participating teachers and students. He remarked that this festival serves not only as a platform for showcasing creative achievements and fostering artistic interactions but also as a crucial academic forum. It offers a highly valuable opportunity to share expertise, strengthen cooperation, and jointly explore Asian theatre education and contemporary stage practices. George Bernard Shaw's works, with their in-depth discussions on identity, social mobility, education, language, and human dignity, always enlighten audiences across the globe. The Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema will present an excerpt from Pygmalion, highlighting Vietnamese theatre's commitment to its artistic identity and educational principles while engaging with global classics. It also seeks to promote mutual learning across performance education, artistic creation, and industry practice. He holds a strong conviction that theatre goes beyond languages and cultures and can forge strong bonds among people via emotions, empathy, and universal human values.
Mr Pham Dac Thi delivering remarks
On behalf of ATEC and CAD, Mr XU Yongsheng extends a warm welcome to all the guests, scholars, and young artists present. He remarked that different cultures have nurtured their distinctive forms of theatre, which opens a window onto the world, onto our inner selves, and onto the very essence of life. The theme of this year's festival is "Commemorating the 170th Anniversary of George Bernard Shaw's Birth." Eight productions would be presented by theatre and arts institutions from China, Singapore, Vietnam, Republic of Korea, the United States, and other countries. These performances will show how artists from different cultural backgrounds interpret and reimagine Shaw in their distinctive ways. He hoped this festival would inspire meaningful artistic exchange and spark new conversations and creative ideas among all participating teachers and students, as they immerse themselves in the magic of the stage, where theatre reveals the truths of life. As General Secretary Xi Jinping said, "Civilisations have become richer and more colourful with exchanges and mutual learning. Such exchanges and mutual learning form an important drive for human progress and global peace and development." Mr XU hoped this festival would promote mutual learning among different theatrical forms, driving theatre development through exchanges and win-win cooperation.
Mr XU Yongsheng delivering remarks
Later, he officially declared the 8th ATEC Asian Theatre Schools Festival 2026 open. Students from various departments of CAD then presented an artistic showcase titled Theatre Brings Light into Life. The performances include the Song: We Young, excerpts from The Peony Pavilion Musical: Prologue & Lantern Festival Night, Dai Women Group Dance: Sugarcane, Opera Excerpts: Nous Avons En Tête Une Affaire & Di Madride Noi Siam Mattadori, Thematic Narrative: We and George Bernard Shaw, and Chinese Opera: The Splendour of Traditional Theatre. Young artists from the Departments of Acting, Musical Theatre, Peking Opera, Western Opera, and Dance Drama showcased their professional excellence and youthful passion on stage, blending Eastern and Western artistic traditions with national flair and operatic elegance. Through heartfelt performances honouring George Bernard Shaw, they highlighted the timeless appeal of theatre and the vibrant spirit of emerging artists in the new era.
This year's Jury consists of six distinguished experts and professors from five countries. Chair of the Jury is Mr HUANG Ying, First-Grade Director, Beijing Film Academy, China. The Jury Members are Mr Baungtae Son, Festival Director, Busan International Performing Arts Festival, ROK; Mr WANG Yongqing, Professor, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, China; Mr Mark Parker, Former President of the Schools of Music & Theatre, Oklahoma City University, the USA; Mr Giorgi Sultanishvili, Performing Arts Instructor, Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, Georgia; Ms Ariunjoloo Myagmardorj, Head of the Department of Theatre Arts, Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, Mongolia.
Over the next four days, students from leading theatre schools across Asia will present eight outstanding productions. Best Play, Outstanding Play, and Best Acting Awards will also be presented during the festival.
Theatre transcends language and cultural barriers, bringing people closer through shared understanding on the stage. It also inspires the energy, imagination, and brilliance of young artists. It is hoped that in the days ahead, young theatre practitioners will fully unleash their creativity, spark inspiration, and forge a shared vision through mutual enrichment of different cultures. By continuously deepening their mutual understanding of Asian theatrical arts, they will further unite efforts in Asian theatre education and together write a new chapter of mutual learning and shared prosperity for Asian theatre.
