A legendary journey from Hangzhou's West Lake to New York
Reimagining a centuries-old Chinese folk tale through experimental theater, a Yale student brings The Legend of the White Snake to contemporary, multicultural audiences in the US through the medium of Mandarin.
By Yang Xiaoyu |
chinadaily.com.cn |
Updated: 2025-12-18 09:16
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"During my years of studying abroad, I've become increasingly aware that the emotions and life experiences expressed in many traditional Chinese stories are deeply universal," He says.
"The more I find myself in a cross-cultural environment, the more strongly I feel their power."
Calling The Legend of the White Snake one of her all-time favorite stories, He notes that its repeated retellings speak to shared human experiences, including romantic love obstructed by external forces, hesitation between drawing closer and pulling away, and the tendency to retreat when faced with difficult choices.
"These themes are universal," she emphasizes. "That's why, even in an overseas context, this story continues to resonate emotionally across cultures."
