Beijing People's Art Theatre
Encyclopedia
Beijing People's Art Theatre was founded in June 1952 by was drama master Cao Yu.
Since its founding, the theater has produced nearly 300 dramas of different styles, from classic Chinese themes to an adaptation of Moliere.
Through the 1960's, it was known primarily for staging the representative works of master play wrights Guo Moruo
, Lao She
, Cao Yu
and Tian Han
. Since 1980s, the theater has staged nearly 80 new dramas by 27 award-winning playwrights.
In 1980, the company toured outside China for the first time, performing Lao She's masterpiece “Tea House”, the company’s signature work, in Japan
and Western Europe
. The company broke more new ground in 1983 when it invited playwright Arthur Miller
to direct a production of what was seen at the time as a uniquely American drama “Death of a Salesman
,” an experience Miller recounted in the form of a day-to-day diary in his book Salesman in Beijing (1985).
In 2005, the company made its United States debut with productions of “Tea House” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
and the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts
at Pace University
in New York City.
Since its founding, the theater has produced nearly 300 dramas of different styles, from classic Chinese themes to an adaptation of Moliere.
Through the 1960's, it was known primarily for staging the representative works of master play wrights Guo Moruo
Guo Moruo
Guo Moruo , courtesy name Dingtang , was a Chinese author, poet, historian, archaeologist, and government official from Sichuan, China.-Family history:Guo, originally named Guo Kaizhen, was born on November 10 or 16, in the small town of Shawan...
, Lao She
Lao She
Shu Qingchun , better known by his pen name Lao She was a notable Chinese writer. A novelist and dramatist, he was one of the most significant figures of 20th century Chinese literature, and is perhaps best known for his novel Rickshaw Boy and the play Teahouse . He was of Manchu ethnicity...
, Cao Yu
Cao Yu
Cao Yu , born as Wan Jiabao , was a renowned Chinese playwright, often regarded as China's most important of the 20th century. His most well-known works are Thunderstorm , Sunrise and Peking Man...
and Tian Han
Tian Han
Tian Han , born in Changsha, Hunan, was a Chinese drama activist, playwright, a leader of revolutionary music and films, as well as a translator and poet. Tian contributed a great deal to the development of Chinese modern drama as well as Chinese opera...
. Since 1980s, the theater has staged nearly 80 new dramas by 27 award-winning playwrights.
In 1980, the company toured outside China for the first time, performing Lao She's masterpiece “Tea House”, the company’s signature work, in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
. The company broke more new ground in 1983 when it invited playwright Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller
Arthur Asher Miller was an American playwright and essayist. He was a prominent figure in American theatre, writing dramas that include plays such as All My Sons , Death of a Salesman , The Crucible , and A View from the Bridge .Miller was often in the public eye,...
to direct a production of what was seen at the time as a uniquely American drama “Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. It was the recipient of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. Premiered at the Morosco Theatre in February 1949, the original production ran for a total of 742 performances.-Plot :Willy Loman...
,” an experience Miller recounted in the form of a day-to-day diary in his book Salesman in Beijing (1985).
In 2005, the company made its United States debut with productions of “Tea House” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
and the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts
The Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts is the principal theatre of Pace University and is located at the University's New York City campus in Lower Manhattan. Facing City Hall near the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and blocks from the site of the World Trade Center, it provides performance and...
at Pace University
Pace University
Pace University is an American private, co-educational, and comprehensive multi-campus university in the New York metropolitan area with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York.-Programs:...
in New York City.