Teaching the stage in a different way
Institute draws on neighboring theater village to provide practical as well as theoretical grounding in contemporary techniques, Li Yingxue reports in Huichang, Jiangxi.
The large glass windows on the first floor of the teaching building were left unchanged. Liao wanted residents to see what he and his students are doing in the hopes of connecting the institute with the community.
"I hope the students will share what they've learned with residents," he says. "We also want to invite our neighbors to come in and see what we're doing. Theater is a way of life."
The new teaching building officially opened on April 8 last year. On the afternoon of the 7th, students were divided into groups of 10, with each group receiving a 100-minute tour. Liao worked nonstop, repeating the tour for 10 different groups.
"This is how I do things. Everything I can give you, I do," he says.
Exploring passion
His educational philosophy centers on the principle of safety first. He aims to instill this mindset not only in his students but also throughout the industry. This ethos permeates every aspect, right down to the smallest details of operations.
For instance, students are not allowed to bring food into the building, as eating is prohibited in a theater. On rainy days, umbrellas must be stored neatly on designated racks at the entrance to prevent water from dripping into the corridors.
"If there is food, it might attract rats, and rats can chew through wires, creating safety hazards," Liao explains. "I want students to develop good safety habits in their daily lives, which are built over time."
On the first day of each academic year, the principal addresses incoming students with a message that reflects his commitment to their future: "From today on, I am the director of our great theater company, and our annual production is your employment."
"This production only succeeds if the students put in the effort," Liao says. "I'm here to help them realize their dreams."
He has structured the curriculum to provide a hands-on, progressive learning experience. In the first year, students focus on general education, while specialized courses are introduced in the second year. They explore a range of professional courses in their first year to determine their specialization.
Specializations are designed to meet industry demands. Courses are taught in a modular format, with expert instructors delivering intensive lessons over short periods.
