Human Doors, Ghost Doors: Entrances and Exits in Qing Court Theater

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

On December 6th, the University of Chicago Center in Beijing hosted a captivating lecture titled “Human Doors, Ghost Doors: Entrances and Exits in Qing Court Theater” with an attendance of over 40 people. The lecture explored how the Qing court reconstructed stage space to navigate the lengthy scripts while presenting the opera in unprecedented detail.

The lecture was delivered by Judith Zeitlin, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. Her research combines the history of Chinese literature in Ming and Qing dynasties with other disciplines such as visual and material culture, performance, music, medicine, gender studies, and modern media. In this lecture, Professor Zeitlin focused on the critical role of entrances and exits in shaping stage space in traditional Chinese opera. She revealed how the Qing court, particularly during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, redefined the use of stage entrances, significantly altering the spatial dynamics of court performances.

In a thorough analysis of the quintessential Qing dynasty court opera The Golden Rule for Guiding to Good, written by Zhang Zhao in the early 1740s, Professor Zeitlin further explored the development of stage space in Qing dynasty. She elucidated how its success led to the construction of permanent three-tiered stages in the Qing court, as well as its revolutionary rethinking of the ontological and spatial relationship between ghosts and the stage.

The event included a moderated discussion by Ms. Sheng Yihui, Assistant Professor at the Chinese University of Hong-Kong. The discussion granted attendees an opportunity to raise questions and interact with the lecturer to spark meaningful academic exchanges. At the end of the event, attendees enjoyed a reception where they could mingle and further discuss the topics presented, concluding the pleasant evening in a cheerful atmosphere.

5-5:30pm: Registration 

5:30-6:15pm: Lecture by Prof. Judith Zeitlin 

Moderator: Sheng Yihui (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

6:15-6:30pm: QA

6:30-7:30pm: Reception and mingle