Theories of Ming-Qing Performance Workshop

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

On December 7-8, the University of Chicago Center in Beijing hosted a hybrid workshop titled “Theories of Ming-Qing Performance”. This two-day closed-door event brought together 20 scholars each day for in-depth discussions on the significance of critical writings about acting, singing, and theatrical performance in China from the seventeenth to early twentieth centuries.

The morning panel of the first day explored the intersection between printed texts and performance practices, examining how essays and songs have shaped theatrical culture. Additionally, scholars delved into the theatrical reviews, uncovering insights into how they reflected societal values and guided audience interpretations. In the afternoon, the panel switched its focus to the roles of scholars and cultural elites in shaping theatrical traditions, with a thorough analysis of their contributions to theatrical traditions while also examining the historical significance of the transformation in role types as well as the evolutions in the Peking Opera’s performance.

Discussion on the second day mainly revolved around the broader social and cultural implications of theater, with the morning panel focusing on how performances intersected with rituals, entertainment, and social customs to reflect and transmit cultural values. The afternoon session expanded on this by examining how theatrical practices extended beyond formal stages and became a crucial factor influencing local communities and shaping social dynamics.

Over the course of two days, the workshop provided a platform for scholars to explore the connections between theater, textual traditions, and societal structures during the Ming and Qing periods. The event fostered a meaningful academic exchange and collaboration among the scholars and provided them with a precious opportunity to apply interdisciplinary approaches in uncovering the profound meaning of Ming and Qing theater.