STA Cooperates With CAD and NACTA in Dramatic Literature Program 27/06/2009

The first symposium on the strategic development of dramatic literature was held by Shanghai Theatre Academy, the Central Academy of Drama, and National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts in Beijing. The three institutes reached agreement on cooperation through discussion on course design, teaching objects, admission and share of educational resources. They also announced the establishment of National Community of Dramatic Literature Education and the Academy Award for Dramatic Literature.

The departments of dramatic literature have been responsible for cultivating talented playwrights. Many of the famous playwrights in the film, TV and theater field are graduates of these programs. However, the overlook on literature writing and the overemphasis on stage design have been challenging the education of dramatic literature and the career development of dramatic literature graduates.

How should dramatic literature students be educated? How to provide more practical opportunities for them? The three institutes introduced the current situation of their departments of dramatic literature.

All of the three institutes have adapted their course structure to the need of the market. STA has introduced courses in screenplay writing, radio drama and opera since the end of 1980s. CAD has been offering courses on TV series writing. NACTA has made available courses like comic writing, opusculum writing and drama writing.

Zhang Xian, Dean of Department of Dramatic Literature in CAD, and Wu Xiaojun, Secretary of Department of Dramatic Literature in STA, said that the dramatic literature education should aim to cultivate small number of extraordinary playwrights in specific fields instead of teaching comprehensively. Hao Yinbo, Deputy Dean of Department of Dramatic Literature in NACTA, held that fundamental courses should be emphasized. Sun Huizhu, Vice President of STA pointed out that special attention should be paid to students who have distinguished academic performance, for which STA has set up a fund.

In order to provide more opportunities for students work to be put onto stage, Xie Boliang, Dean of Department of Dramatic Literature in NACTA, suggested publishing a book of collected plays for the students. STA and CAD have established the cooperation between Department of Directing, Department of Acting and Department of Dramatic Literature to put the students work on stage, even for commercial performance. Xie Boliang also said that the three institutes should encourage more student and teacher exchanges, share more information on lectures and programs and complement each other, thus providing a wide stage for students to learn and practice.